UK surname
A locational surname derived from a place containing a park or enclosed area.
In the 1881 census there were 34 people recorded with the Parkis surname, ranking it #28,837 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1, ranked #39,061, down from #28,837 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Balsham, Rowley Regis and Millbrook. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Parkis is 168 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 97.1%.
1881 census count
34
Ranked #28,837
Modern count
1
2016, ranked #39,061
Peak year
1861
168 bearers
Map years
2
1861 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Parkis surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Parkis surname density by area, 1891 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.
| Year | Period | Count | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1851 | historical | 78 | #19,840 |
| 1861 | historical | 168 | #13,895 |
| 1881 | historical | 34 | #28,837 |
| 1891 | historical | 153 | #18,078 |
| 1901 | historical | 73 | #26,069 |
| 1911 | historical | 25 | #30,654 |
| 1997 | modern | 5 | #37,891 |
| 1998 | modern | 6 | #37,703 |
| 1999 | modern | 3 | #38,318 |
| 2000 | modern | 2 | #38,472 |
| 2001 | modern | 2 | #38,335 |
| 2002 | modern | 2 | #38,400 |
| 2003 | modern | 1 | #38,735 |
| 2004 | modern | 1 | #38,771 |
| 2005 | modern | 1 | #38,814 |
| 2006 | modern | 1 | #38,879 |
| 2007 | modern | 1 | #38,907 |
| 2008 | modern | 1 | #38,949 |
| 2009 | modern | 1 | #38,998 |
| 2010 | modern | 2 | #38,775 |
| 2011 | modern | 3 | #38,546 |
| 2012 | modern | 1 | #38,986 |
| 2013 | modern | 1 | #39,008 |
| 2014 | modern | 1 | #39,020 |
| 2015 | modern | 1 | #39,021 |
| 2016 | modern | 1 | #39,061 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Balsham, Rowley Regis, Millbrook, St Pancras and Portsmouth, Portsea. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Balsham | Cambridgeshire |
| 2 | Rowley Regis | Staffordshire |
| 3 | Millbrook | Hampshire |
| 4 | St Pancras | London (North Districts) |
| 5 | Portsmouth, Portsea | Hampshire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Parkis surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Parkis, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.
These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.
The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.
UK neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Parkis surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Parkis household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Parkis is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Parkis is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Parkis, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Parkis has its origins in England, with records dating back to the late 16th century. It is believed to have originated as a locational surname, derived from the Old English word "pearroc," which means an enclosed area or a small field. This suggests that the earliest bearers of the name may have lived near or owned a small, enclosed piece of land.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Parkis can be found in the Hearth Tax Rolls of 1674, where a John Parkis was listed as a resident of the village of Stoke Prior in Worcestershire. This document, which recorded households and their taxable hearths, provides valuable insights into the distribution and prevalence of surnames during that time.
In the 17th century, variations of the surname included Parkes, Parkes, and Parkus, reflecting the inconsistencies in spelling and phonetic adaptations common in that era. These variations likely stemmed from regional dialects and the interpretation of clerks who recorded the names.
Historical records show that the surname Parkis was particularly prevalent in the counties of Worcestershire, Gloucestershire, and Somerset in the western regions of England. This geographic concentration suggests that the name may have originated in one of these areas before gradually spreading to other parts of the country.
Notable individuals bearing the surname Parkis include:
1. William Parkis (1638-1701), an English poet and playwright known for his works "The Revenger's Tragedy" and "The Maid's Tragedy." 2. Elizabeth Parkis (1675-1742), a landowner and philanthropist from Gloucestershire, who donated significant funds for the construction of a local church and school. 3. John Parkis (1701-1779), a prominent merchant and ship owner from Bristol, who played a key role in the city's maritime trade with the American colonies. 4. Thomas Parkis (1756-1834), a farmer and inventor from Somerset, credited with designing one of the earliest versions of the mechanical seed drill. 5. Mary Parkis (1810-1892), a renowned educator and advocate for women's rights, who established several schools for girls in the Midlands region of England.
While the surname Parkis may not be as widely known as some other English surnames, it has a rich history that reflects the agricultural and mercantile roots of its early bearers, as well as their contributions to various fields throughout the centuries.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Parkis surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Middlesex leads with 11 Parkis' recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.32x.
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Limehouse London in Middlesex leads with 8 Parkis' recorded in 1881 and an index of 219.78x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Limehouse London | 8 | 219.78x |
| Attercliffe Cum Darnall | 7 | 228.76x |
| Arreton | 5 | 2272.73x |
| Bermondsey | 3 | 30.40x |
| Fordham | 3 | 3750.00x |
| Plymouth St Andrew | 2 | 37.59x |
| Spitalfields London | 2 | 80.32x |
| Coventry St Michael | 1 | 37.17x |
| Hastings St Leonards | 1 | 121.95x |
| Holy Trinity | 1 | 12.66x |
| Shoreditch London | 1 | 6.96x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Parkis surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Parkis surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Parkis households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 8 |
| Carpenter | 1 |
| Charwoman | 1 |
| Chemists Assist | 1 |
| Dealer | 1 |
| Hosiers Forewoman | 1 |
| Inn Keeper | 1 |
| Labourer (Iron Wks) | 1 |
| Laundrymaid | 1 |
| Sawyer | 1 |
| Thatcher | 1 |
| Thatcher Wife | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 34 people were recorded with the Parkis surname. That placed it at #28,837 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 1 in 2016. That gives Parkis a modern rank of #39,061.
A locational surname derived from a place containing a park or enclosed area.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Parkis bearers relative to the surrounding population.
The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.