Parker History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms 

Origins Available: 
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  Ireland 


The name Parker comes from one of the family having worked as a person who worked as the Parker, which was the individual who was the guardian of the park grounds. Some Parkers were employed by noblemen who held large estates that needed the grounds of the estate or castle maintained. 1

Early Origins of the Parker family

The surname Parker was first found in Somerset where Anschetil Parcher was listed as holding lands in the Domesday Book of 1086. 2 One reputable source claims the name was "descended from Norman le Parcar or Forester, who held from Queen Matilda in 1083. He appears to be the same as Norman Venator of Salop 1086. From him descended Hugh Parcarius of Devon, 13th century." 3

Another equally strong source claims that name to Thomas le Parker, temp. Edward III and the extinct Baronet family Parker of Ratton traced their lineage to the time of Edward I in Sussex. 4

"The church [of Willingdon in Sussex], principally in the early English style, contains portions in the decorated and later styles, with a square tower, and some interesting monuments to the Parker family. Henry Parker, who was secretary to Cromwell, and author of various tracts on religion and politics, was born at Ratton, in the parish." 5

The name quickly became widespread throughout Britain as see by one of the first rolls, the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 which lists: John Parcar in Dorset; Adam le Parker in Norfolk; and Peter le Parker in Yorkshire. 1

"A family called Parker have been established for centuries in Lancashire. Browsholme Hall, near Clitheroe, was first built by Richard le Parker in 1380, and is still the family seat." 6

"The Parkers, originally of North Molton, [Devon] acquired by their marriage with the heiress of Mayhew, temp. Elizabeth, the manor of Boringdon, and thenceforward made it their chief residence, until in 1712 they purchased Saltram, once the seat and residence of Sir James Bagge, the creature of Buckingham, and the ' bottomless bagge ' of the patriot Eliot. The Parkers were raised to the peerage in 1774, as Barons Boringdon ; and in 1815 advanced to be Viscounts Boringdon and Earls of Morley. Saltram House was rebuilt by them early in the last century, and was long reported the largest mansion in the county. " 7

Early History of the Parker family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Parker research. Another 251 words (18 lines of text) covering the years 1296, 1380, 1443, 1451, 1504, 1575, 1595, 1608, 1617, 1619, 1640, 1643, 1648, 1651, 1659, 1660, 1666, 1667, 1670, 1673, 1675, 1677, 1679, 1681, 1685, 1688, 1692, 1697, 1719, 1732, 1752, 1764 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Parker History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Parker Spelling Variations

Spelling variations in names were a common occurrence before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate spelled their names differently as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Parker have been found, including: Parker, Parkers, Parkeres, Parkere and others.

Early Notables of the Parker family

Distinguished members of the family include

Parker World Ranking

In the United States, the name Parker is the 47th most popular surname with an estimated 363,102 people with that name. 8 However, in Canada, the name Parker is ranked the 142nd most popular surname with an estimated 23,220 people with that name. 9 And in France, the name Parker is the 4,047th popular surname with an estimated 1,500 - 2,000 people with that name. 10 Australia ranks Parker as 63rd with 35,151 people. 11 New Zealand ranks Parker as 51st with 5,292 people. 12 The United Kingdom ranks Parker as 51st with 79,089 people. 13 South Africa ranks Parker as 759th with 9,132 people. 14

Migration of the Parker family to Ireland

Some of the Parker family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 113 words (8 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Parker migration to the United States +

Families began migrating abroad in enormous numbers because of the political and religious discontent in England. Often faced with persecution and starvation in England, the possibilities of the New World attracted many English people. Although the ocean trips took many lives, those who did get to North America were instrumental in building the necessary groundwork for what would become for new powerful nations. Among the first immigrants of the name Parker, or a variant listed above to cross the Atlantic and come to North America were :

Parker Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
Parker Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
Parker Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Parker migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Parker Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
Parker Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Parker migration to Australia +

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

Parker Settlers in Australia in the 18th Century
Parker Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Parker 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:

Parker Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Parker migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. 25
Parker Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century

Contemporary Notables of the name Parker (post 1700) +


The Parker 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: Fideli certa merces
Motto Translation: To the faithful there is reward


Suggested Readings for the name Parker +
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