Perken History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

The ancestors of the name Perken are thought to have lived among the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. The name is derived from the baptismal name for the son of Peter. In the religious naming tradition surnames were bestowed in honor of religious figures or church officials. In Europe, the Christian Church was one of the most powerful influences on the formation of given names. Personal names derived from the names of saints, apostles, biblical figures, and missionaries are widespread in most European countries. In the Middle Ages, they became increasingly popular because people believed that the souls of the deceased continued to be involved in this world. They named their children after saints in the hope that the child would be blessed or protected by the saint. In this case the surname Perken was taken from the ever popular St. Peter.

Early Origins of the Perken family

The surname Perken was first found in Lancashire where they held a family seat from early times and their first records appeared on the early census rolls taken by the early Kings of Britain to determine the rate of taxation of their subjects.

Early History of the Perken family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Perken research. Another 64 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1567, 1650 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Perken History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Perken Spelling Variations

The first dictionaries that appeared in the last few hundred years did much to standardize the English language. Before that time, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. The language was changing, incorporating pieces of other languages, and the spelling of names changed with it. Perken has been spelled many different ways, including Parkinson, Parkinsone, Parkison and others.

Early Notables of the Perken family

More information is included under the topic Early Perken Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Perken family to Ireland

Some of the Perken family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 59 words (4 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 Perken family

Thousands of English families in this era began to emigrate the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. Although the passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe, those who made the voyage safely were rewarded with opportunities unavailable to them in their homeland. Research into passenger and immigration lists has revealed some of the very first Perkens to arrive in North America: Dorothy Parkinson and her husband, who arrived in Virginia in 1623; Anne Parkinson and her husband, who settled in Virginia in 1682; James Parkinson, who settled in Barbados in 1635.