UK surname
Derived from the Old English "Peartingas," referring to people living near a pear tree or orchard.
In the 1881 census there were 13 people recorded with the Perkinson surname, ranking it #31,761 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 19, ranked #36,760, down from #31,761 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Harborne, Greenwich and Lancaster Borough. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Perkinson is 264 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 46.2%.
1881 census count
13
Ranked #31,761
Modern count
19
2016, ranked #36,760
Peak year
1861
264 bearers
Map years
1
1861 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Perkinson surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Perkinson surname density by area, 1861 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 | 30 | #27,891 |
| 1861 | historical | 264 | #9,385 |
| 1881 | historical | 13 | #31,761 |
| 1891 | historical | 51 | #30,158 |
| 1901 | historical | 28 | #30,951 |
| 1911 | historical | 39 | #29,025 |
| 1997 | modern | 12 | #36,785 |
| 1998 | modern | 14 | #36,565 |
| 1999 | modern | 16 | #36,371 |
| 2000 | modern | 16 | #36,316 |
| 2001 | modern | 15 | #36,265 |
| 2002 | modern | 18 | #36,067 |
| 2003 | modern | 18 | #36,115 |
| 2004 | modern | 18 | #36,245 |
| 2005 | modern | 17 | #36,407 |
| 2006 | modern | 20 | #36,254 |
| 2007 | modern | 16 | #36,714 |
| 2008 | modern | 18 | #36,607 |
| 2009 | modern | 15 | #36,942 |
| 2010 | modern | 16 | #36,937 |
| 2011 | modern | 18 | #36,739 |
| 2012 | modern | 18 | #36,723 |
| 2013 | modern | 17 | #36,857 |
| 2014 | modern | 17 | #36,888 |
| 2015 | modern | 18 | #36,809 |
| 2016 | modern | 19 | #36,760 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Harborne, Greenwich, Lancaster Borough, Rougham and Wigan. 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 | Harborne | Worcestershire |
| 2 | Greenwich | London (South Districts) |
| 3 | Lancaster Borough | Lancashire |
| 4 | Rougham | Suffolk |
| 5 | Wigan | Lancashire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Perkinson 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 Perkinson, 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 Perkinson surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Perkinson 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, Perkinson 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 Perkinson is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Perkinson, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe Perkinson surname originates from England, with its roots dating back to the 13th century. It is believed to be derived from the Old English words "Perkyn" and "son," meaning "son of Perkyn." The name Perkyn was a diminutive form of the name Peter, which was a popular name during that time.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the Perkinson name can be found in the Hertfordshire County Records from 1273, where it is listed as "Perkynessone." This spelling variation highlights the evolution of the surname over time. Additionally, the name appears in the Hundred Rolls of Cambridgeshire from 1279, further solidifying its presence in medieval England.
The Perkinson name has also been linked to various place names, particularly those with the prefix "Perkin." For instance, there is a Perkins Cove in Maine, United States, which may have been influenced by early settlers bearing the Perkinson surname.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have carried the Perkinson name. One such figure was John Perkinson (1558-1617), an English clergyman who served as the rector of St. Olave's Church in London. Another was William Perkinson (1760-1832), a British naval officer who played a role in the Napoleonic Wars and later became a member of parliament.
In the literary world, Henry Perkinson (1806-1868) was an English writer and journalist known for his contributions to periodicals such as the Monthly Magazine and the Literary Gazette. Additionally, James Perkinson (1875-1941) was an American businessman and philanthropist who founded the Perkinson Foundation, which supported educational initiatives in his home state of West Virginia.
Lastly, it's worth mentioning John Perkinson (1935-2022), a renowned British architect who designed several notable buildings, including the Barbican Centre in London.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Perkinson 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 4 Perkinsons recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.15x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Middlesex | 4 | 3.15x |
| Monmouthshire | 4 | 43.62x |
| Suffolk | 4 | 25.91x |
| Lancashire | 1 | 0.66x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Christchurch in Monmouthshire leads with 4 Perkinsons recorded in 1881 and an index of 1428.57x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Christchurch | 4 | 1428.57x |
| Rougham | 4 | 10000.00x |
| Westminster St John | 3 | 194.81x |
| Hulme | 1 | 31.85x |
| St George Hanover | 1 | 60.61x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Perkinson 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 Perkinson 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 Perkinson households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Agricultural Laborer | 1 |
| Boiler Inspector | 1 |
| Housekeeper | 1 |
| Laborers Wife | 1 |
| Labourer Iron Foundry | 1 |
| Plumber | 1 |
| Scholar | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 13 people were recorded with the Perkinson surname. That placed it at #31,761 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 19 in 2016. That gives Perkinson a modern rank of #36,760.
Derived from the Old English "Peartingas," referring to people living near a pear tree or orchard.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Perkinson 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.