PERKIN

Origin and etymology In historic texts In the 1881 census Distribution map

Perkin

Perkin is a British surname of medieval origin. The surname is believed to have derived from the given name Peter, which was a common name in medieval England. Over time, the name evolved to Perkin, and individuals with this surname can be found in various regions in the United Kingdom.

One of the notable bearers of the surname was Sir William Henry Perkin, a renowned British chemist who is credited with the discovery of the first synthetic dye, mauveine, in 1856. His groundbreaking discovery revolutionised the textile industry and laid the foundation for the modern chemical industry.

The Perkin surname has historically been associated with individuals of English descent and may have been a moniker for someone named Peter or a diminutive of the name Pere. Variations of the surname may include Perkins, Perkyns, or Parkin.

Today, individuals with the surname Perkin can be found across the United Kingdom and beyond, contributing to various fields and industries, preserving the legacy of a name with a rich heritage.

There are approximately 1,671 people named Perkin in the UK. That makes it roughly the 4,907th most common surname in Britain. Around 26 in a million people in Britain are named Perkin.

Surname type: Diminutive

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
Daniel
David
Gary
John
Jonathan
Michael
Neil
Roger
Simon
Stephen

Female

Amanda
Beth
Deborah
Elizabeth
Emma
Jennifer
Jessica
Margaret
Mary
Rebecca
Sarah
Susan
Wendy

Similar and related surnames

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