Parcker History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

The many generations and branches of the Parcker family can all place the origins of their surname with the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture. Their name reveals that an early member 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 Parcker family

The surname Parcker 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 Parcker family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Parcker 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 Parcker History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Parcker Spelling Variations

Before the last few hundred years, the English language had no fast system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations are commonly found in early Anglo-Saxon surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Parcker were recorded, including Parker, Parkers, Parkeres, Parkere and others.

Early Notables of the Parcker family

Distinguished members of the family include Thomas Parker, High Sheriff of Herefordshire in 1443 and 1451; Matthew Parker (1504-1575), English prelate, Archbishop of Canterbury; William Parker (d. 1617), an English captain, privateer who sailed with Sir Francis Drake, Mayor of Plymouth; Thomas Parker (1595-1677) Calvinist minister, founder of Newbury, Massachusetts; George Parker (c 1619-1673), an English landowner and politician who sat in the House of Commons in 1659 and 1660; Samuel Parker (1640-1688), an English churchman, Archdeacon of...
Another 78 words (6 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Parcker Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Parcker family to Ireland

Some of the Parcker 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.

Migration of the Parcker family

To escape oppression and starvation at that time, many English families left for the "open frontiers" of the New World with all its perceived opportunities. In droves people migrated to the many British colonies, those in North America in particular, paying high rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Although many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, those who did see the shores of North America perceived great opportunities before them. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Research into various historical records revealed some of first members of the Parcker family emigrate to North America: Edward Parker, who arrived in Maryland in 1637; Captain George Parker who came to Boston in 1635; William Parker, who settled in Hartford, Connecticut in 1635.

The Parcker 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

Citations +

Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X)
Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Hanks, Patricia and Flavia Hodges, A Dictionary of Surnames. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1988. Print. (ISBN 0-19-211592-8)
Worth, R.N., A History of Devonshire London: Elliot Stock, 62, Paternoster Row, E.G., 1895. Digital