Show ContentsParkyn History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Parkyn has a rich and ancient history. It is an Anglo-Saxon name that was originally derived from the baptismal name Peter. Baptismal names began to appear as surnames relatively late in the growth of the naming tradition. This is a little surprising, given the popularity of biblical figures in the Christian countries of Europe. Nevertheless, surnames derived from baptismal names grew in popularity during the Middle Ages, and have become one of the foremost sources for surnames. In this case the surname Parkyn was originally derived from two elements; per a form of Peter and the suffix kin. The literal meaning of the surname is Little Peter, which denotes the son of Peter. [1]

Early Origins of the Parkyn family

The surname Parkyn was first found in Leicestershire. The name is traditionally "confined mostly to the southern half of England, being most numerous in Warwickshire, Worcestershire, and South Wales. " [2]

Early rolls listed the name in singular and plural forms: Edmund Perkyn 1327 in the Subsidy Rolls for Suffolk; Robert Parkyn 1327 in the Subsidy Rolls for Staffordshire; Walter Perkyns 1327 in the Subsidy Rolls for Worcester; and Maud Parkynes 1332 in the Subsidy Rolls for Warwickshire. [3]

Early History of the Parkyn family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Parkyn research. Another 138 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1327, 1516, 1545, 1547, 1555, 1558, 1602, 1622, 1649, 1658, 1696 and 1707 are included under the topic Early Parkyn History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Parkyn Spelling Variations

Before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, French and other languages became incorporated into English through the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Parkyn include Perkins, Perkin, Perkyns, Perkens, Perkynn and others.

Early Notables of the Parkyn family

Distinguished members of the family include

  • Sir William Parkyns (Perkins) (1649?-1696) was an English lawyer and Jacobite conspirator, executed for high treason


Australia Parkyn migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Parkyn Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • John Parkyn, English convict from Cornwall, who was transported aboard the "Argyle" on March 5th, 1831, settling in Van Diemen's Land, Australia [4]
  • Mr. John Parkyn, (b. 1804), aged 25 born in St. Columb, Cornwall, UK convicted in Cornwall on 24th March 1829, sentenced for 14 years for stealing a pony, transported aboard the ship "Argyle" in 1831 to Van Diemen's Land, Tasmania, Australia [5]
  • Mr. John Parkyn (b. 1804), aged 25, Cornish settler convicted in Cornwall, UK on 24th March 1829, sentenced for 14 years for stealing a pony, transported aboard the ship "Argyle" on 5th March 1831 to Van Diemen's Land, Tasmania, Australia [6]
  • Caroline Parkyn, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Cleveland" in 1839 [7]
  • Elizabeth Parkyn, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Cleveland" in 1839 [7]
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

New Zealand Parkyn migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Parkyn Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Miss Annie Parkyn, (b. 1870), aged 4, Cornish settler departing on 6th January 1874 aboard the ship "Rakaia" arriving in Lyttelton, Canterbury, New Zealand on 26th April 1874 [8]
  • Mrs. Elizabeth Parkyn, (b. 1836), aged 38, Cornish settler departing on 6th January 1874 aboard the ship "Rakaia" arriving in Lyttelton, Canterbury, New Zealand on 26th April 1874 [8]
  • Miss Elizabeth J. Parkyn, (b. 1866), aged 8, Cornish settler departing on 6th January 1874 aboard the ship "Rakaia" arriving in Lyttelton, Canterbury, New Zealand on 26th April 1874 [8]
  • Mr. James Parkyn, (b. 1868), aged 6, Cornish settler departing on 6th January 1874 aboard the ship "Rakaia" arriving in Lyttelton, Canterbury, New Zealand on 26th April 1874, he died on board [8]
  • Mr. John Henry Parkyn, (b. 1862), aged 12, Cornish settler departing on 6th January 1874 aboard the ship "Rakaia" arriving in Lyttelton, Canterbury, New Zealand on 26th April 1874 [8]
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Parkyn (post 1700) +

  • Richard Parkyn (1772-1853), champion Cornish wrestler
  • Robert Henry Parkyn (1862-1939), popular Canadian municipal and provincial level politician and tradesman in Calgary, Alberta
  • Brian Stewart Parkyn (1923-2006), British Labour Party politician
  • Professor George Parkyn (1910-1993), New Zealand scholar in the field of educational research


The Parkyn Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Simplex vigilum veri
Motto Translation: An honest one of the sentinels of truth.


  1. Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
  2. Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.
  3. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  4. State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2015, January 8) Argyle voyage to Van Diemen's Land, Australia in 1831 with 251 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/argyle/1831
  5. Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 30th May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/tasmanian_convicts_cornish.pdf
  6. Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 30th May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_australia_convicts.pdf
  7. State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) CLEVELAND 1839. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1839Cleveland.htm
  8. Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 2018, April 30). Emigrants to Lyttelton 1858-84 [PDF]. Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/new_zealand_assisted.pdf


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