Park

Park is a common surname of British origin that has various possible meanings and origins. It is derived from the Middle English word "park," which originally referred to a piece of enclosed land used for hunting.

Origins

  1. English Origin: In England, the surname Park may have originated as a topographic name for someone who lived near or worked in a park. It could also have been a locational name for someone from any of the numerous places named Park in England.

  2. Scottish Origin: In Scotland, Park may have originated as a habitational name from any of the various places called Park, for example, in Aberdeenshire.

  3. Korean Origin: Park is also a common Korean surname, often transliterated from the Hangul 박. However, this usage is distinct from the British surname and has a separate etymology and meaning.

Notable Bearers

  • Alan Park (20th century): English former footballer who played for Everton and Stoke City.
  • Linda Sue Park (b. 1960): Korean-American author of children's literature, best known for her Newbery Medal-winning novel "A Single Shard."
  • Nick Park (b. 1958): British filmmaker and animator, known for creating the beloved Wallace and Gromit characters.

Distribution

The surname Park is relatively common in the United Kingdom, with concentrations in England and Scotland. Its prevalence is also notable in Korean communities around the world due to its significance as a Korean surname.

References

  • Reaney, Percy H. and Wilson, Richard Middlewood. A Dictionary of English Surnames. Routledge, 1991.
  • Hanks, Patrick and Hodges, Flavia. A Dictionary of Surnames. Oxford University Press, 1988.

There are approximately 16,584 people named Park in the UK. That makes it the 535th most common surname in Britain. Around 255 in a million people in Britain are named Park.

Surname type: Location or geographical feature

Origin: English

Region of origin: British Isles

Country of origin: England

Religion of origin: Christian

Language of origin: English

Typical given names associated with the surname

Male

  • Andrew
  • Christopher
  • David
  • James
  • John
  • Michael
  • Robert
  • Stephen
  • Thomas
  • William

Female

  • Catherine
  • Christine
  • Elizabeth
  • Emma
  • Helen
  • Jennifer
  • Judith
  • Karen
  • Margaret
  • Mary
  • Nicola
  • Sarah
  • Susan

Similar and related surnames

Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.

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