Parkinson — Last Name Origin & Meaning

English origin Rank #3,637 in the US 9,767 Americans

US Rank (2010)
#3,637
▼ Down 100 since 2000
People in the US
9,767
3.31 per 100K people
Origin
English
Old English

Origin & Meaning of the Parkinson Surname

What does the last name Parkinson mean?

The surname Parkinson carries the meaning "Son of Parkin." It is derived from the Old English language and has been passed down through generations, reflecting the occupations, locations, or characteristics of early bearers of the name. With 9,767 bearers in the 2010 US Census, Parkinson ranks as the #3,637 most common surname in the United States.

Where does the surname Parkinson come from?

The Parkinson surname has its roots in English heritage. Names of English origin often reflect the cultural, linguistic, and historical traditions of the communities where they first appeared. Over centuries, migration and cultural exchange have spread the Parkinson name far beyond its original homeland.

Language of Origin

The linguistic roots of Parkinson trace back to Old English. Understanding the original language helps decode the meaning and evolution of the name from its earliest recorded forms to the modern spelling used today.

English Old English

Quick Facts

Surname Parkinson
Meaning Son of Parkin
Origin English
Language Old English
US Rank (2010) #3,637
US Count (2010) 9,767
Per 100K People 3.31
First Letter P

Ethnic Distribution of Parkinson

According to the US Census, the Parkinson surname is distributed across the following ethnic groups. This data reflects self-reported ethnicity among 9,767 Americans with the Parkinson last name.

White 87.21%
Black 7.87%
Hispanic 2.12%
Asian/PI 0.61%
Native American 0.59%
Two+ Races 1.59%
Ethnic distribution of the Parkinson surname in the US (2010 Census)
Ethnicity Percentage
White87.21%
Black7.87%
Hispanic2.12%
Asian/Pacific Islander0.61%
Native American0.59%
Two or More Races1.59%

Popularity of Parkinson Over Time

Comparing US Census data from 2000 and 2010 shows how the Parkinson surname has changed in prevalence.

Census 2000
#3,537
9,220 people
Down 100
Census 2010
#3,637
9,767 people

The number of Americans with the Parkinson surname increased by 547 between 2000 and 2010.

Discover Your Parkinson Ancestry

Uncover your family's history with a DNA test. Learn where your Parkinson ancestors came from and connect with relatives worldwide.

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Similar Surnames to Parkinson

These surnames share similar popularity, spelling, or cultural background with Parkinson.

Other English Surnames

Explore more surnames with English roots. There are 162,254 surnames in our database — here are some that share the same English origin as Parkinson.

Frequently Asked Questions About Parkinson

The surname Parkinson is of English origin. Son of Parkin
The surname Parkinson is ranked #3,637 in the United States with approximately 9,767 people bearing this name as of the 2010 US Census.
Son of Parkin. The name has English roots and has been present in the United States for generations.
According to US Census data, the Parkinson surname is distributed as: 87.2% White, 7.9% Black. This reflects the diverse heritage of Americans with this name.
To trace your Parkinson ancestry, consider using DNA testing services like Ancestry.com, 23andMe, or MyHeritage. These services can connect you with relatives and reveal your ethnic heritage and migration patterns.

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