Perkins is a surname derived from the Anglo-Saxon corruption of the

kin __NOTOC__ Kin usually refers to kinship and family. Kin or KIN may also refer to: Culture and religion *Otherkin, people who identify as not entirely human *Kinism, a white supremacist religious movement * Kinh, the majority ethnic group of V ...

Pierre Pierre is a masculine given name. It is a French form of the name Peter. Pierre originally meant "rock" or "stone" in French (derived from the Greek word πέτρος (''petros'') meaning "stone, rock", via Latin "petra"). It is a translation ...

(from Pierre kin to Pierrekin to Perkins), introduced into

England England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Wales to its west and Scotland to its north. The Irish Sea lies northwest and the Celtic Sea to the southwest. It is separated from continental Europe b ...

by the

Norman Conquest The Norman Conquest (or the Conquest) was the 11th-century invasion and occupation of England by an army made up of thousands of Norman, Breton, Flemish, and French troops, all led by the Duke of Normandy, later styled William the Con ...

. It is found throughout mid- and southern England. Another derivation comes from the Welsh Perthyn, relative or belonging to a particular person or family, and also thought to be the

Anglicized Anglicisation is the process by which a place or person becomes influenced by English culture or British culture, or a process of cultural and/or linguistic change in which something non-English becomes English. It can also refer to the influenc ...

form of Peredur, from medieval Welsh.

Notable people with the surname

Al Perkins Al Perkins (born January 18, 1944) is an American guitarist known primarily for his steel guitar work. The Gibson guitar company called Perkins "the world's most influential dobro player" and began producing an "Al Perkins Signature" Dobro in 2 ...

, American guitarist *

Annie Stevens Perkins Annie Stevens Perkins (, Stevens; after first marriage, Perkins; after second marriage, Jackson; April 12, 1868 – May 22, 1946) was an American writer. Her works include, ''Thoughts of Peace'', ''Appointed Paths'', and ''Book of Poems'', as wel ...

(1868–1911), American writer *

Anthony Perkins Anthony Perkins (April 4, 1932 – September 12, 1992) was an American actor, director, and singer. Perkins is best remembered for his role as Norman Bates in Alfred Hitchcock's suspense thriller '' Psycho'', which made him an influentia ...

(1932–1992), American actor *

Benjamin Douglas Perkins Elisha Perkins (January 16, 1741September 6, 1799) was a United States physician who created a fraudulent medical device, the Perkins Patent Tractors. Although they were made of steel and brass, Perkins claimed that they were made of unusual met ...

(1774–1810), American, son of Elisha Perkins, bookseller and propagandist of therapy with "Perkins tractors" *

Bill Perkins (disambiguation) William or Bill Perkins may refer to: Sports * Bill Perkins (American football) (1941–2016), American football running back * Bill Perkins (Australian rules footballer) (1920–2009), ex-Richmond VFL footballer * Bill Perkins (baseball) (born 1 ...

, several people *

Bishop Perkins Bishop Perkins (September 5, 1787 in Becket, Massachusetts – November 20, 1866 in Ogdensburg, New York) was an American lawyer and politician who served one term as a United States representative from New York from 1853 to 1855. Biography H ...

(1787–1866), member of New York State Assembly, later congressional Representative from New York *

Bishop W. Perkins Bishop Walden Perkins (October 18, 1841June 20, 1894) was a United States representative and United States Senate, Senator from Kansas. Born in Rochester, Ohio, he attended the common schools and Knox College (Illinois), Knox College (Galesburg, ...

(1841–1894), U.S. Representative and Senator from Kansas *

Brian Perkins Brian Perkins (born 11 September 1943 in Wanganui, New Zealand) is a former senior newsreader on BBC Radio 4. Career He first started working in 1962 in Christchurch on radio stations of the New Zealand Broadcasting Service (NZBS), and its suc ...

, New Zealander anchor and newsreader on BBC Radio 4 * Bryce Perkins (born 1996), American football player *

Broderick Perkins Broderick Phillip Perkins (born November 23, 1954) is an American former professional baseball player. He played all or parts of seven seasons in Major League Baseball, from 1978 until 1984, for the San Diego Padres and Cleveland Indians, primaril ...

(born 1954), American baseball player * Carl Perkins (1932–1998), American singer-songwriter *

Carl Christopher Perkins Carl Christopher Perkins (born August 6, 1954) is an American lawyer and politician who served as the United States representative from the 7th district of Kentucky from 1984 to 1993. Perkins served as a Democrat. He was convicted on three fed ...

, politician, Kentucky Representative * Carl Dewey Perkins (1912–1984), politician, Kentucky Representative * Charles A. Perkins, American lawyer * Charles Callahan Perkins (1823–1886), American art critic and author * Charles L. Perkins, technology author * Charles N. Perkins, Australian football and political figure * Charles S. Perkins, American baseball player *

Charlotte Perkins Gilman Charlotte Perkins Gilman (; née Perkins; July 3, 1860 – August 17, 1935), also known by her first married name Charlotte Perkins Stetson, was an American humanist, novelist, writer, lecturer, advocate for social reform, and eugenicist. She w ...

(1860–1935), American sociologist, writer and feminist *

Cyril Perkins George Cyril Perkins (4 June 1911 – 21 November 2013) was an English cricketer. Perkins was a right-handed batsman who bowled both slow left-arm orthodox and left-arm medium pace. He was born in Wollaston, Northamptonshire. On 4 June 2011 he ...

(1911–2013), English cricketer and centenarian *

Darius Perkins Darius Anton Perkins (28 October 1964 – 2 January 2019) was an Australian actor. He was the original actor in the role of teenager Scott Robinson in the soap opera ''Neighbours'' in 1985 before the role was taken over by Jason Donovan the foll ...

(1964–2019), Australian actor *

Daryl Perkins Daryl Perkins (born 20 April 1943) is a former Australian professional track cyclist. Biography Perkins was born and lives in the state of Victoria, Australia. He was a sprint, tandem and six-day rider. Perkins teamed with Ian Browne to win ...

, Australian track cyclist * Don Perkins, National Football League running back for the Dallas Cowboys *

Doron Perkins Doron Perkins (born on May 6, 1983) is a former American professional basketball player and currently an assistant coach for Maccabi Tel Aviv B.C. of the Euroleague. Standing at 1.91 m (6 ft 3 in) he can play as either a point guard or a ...

, American professional basketball player, 2009 Israeli Basketball Premier League MVP * Edward J. Perkins, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations * Edwin Perkins (disambiguation), several people * Elisha Perkins (1741–1799), American physician *

Elizabeth Perkins Elizabeth Ann Perkins (born November 18, 1960) is an American actress. Her film roles have included ''About Last Night'' (1986), '' Big'' (1988), ''Avalon'' (1990), and '' He Said, She Said'' (1991), ''The Flintstones'' (1994), ''Miracle on 34th ...

, American actress *

Emily Perkins Emily Jean Perkins (born May 4, 1977) is a Canadian former actress, best known for her roles as Crystal Braywood in the TV series ''Hiccups'', young Beverly Marsh in '' Stephen King's It'', and Brigitte Fitzgerald in ''Ginger Snaps''. Since the l ...

, Canadian actress * Emily Perkins (novelist), New Zealand author *

Emily Pitkin Perkins Emily Pitkin (Perkins) Baldwin, (January 1, 1796 – January 29, 1874), was born in Hartford, Connecticut, to Enoch Perkins and Hannah Pitkin. On October 25, 1820 she married Roger Sherman Baldwin, who became the Governor of Connecticut in 1844 ...

, wife of Connecticut Governor and US Senator Roger Sherman Baldwin *

Flo Perkins Flo Perkins (born 1951) is an American glass artist currently working and residing in the Pojoaque Valley north of Santa Fe, New Mexico. She received her Bachelor of Arts from the Philadelphia College of Art (1974), Master of Arts from the Universit ...

, American glass artist * Frances Perkins (1880–1965), American workers-rights advocate and U.S. Secretary of Labor * Frank Perkins (disambiguation), several people * Frederic Beecher Perkins (1828–1899), American editor, librarian and writer *

Geoffrey Perkins Geoffrey Howard Perkins (22 February 1953 – 29 August 2008) was a British comedy producer, writer and performer. Best known as the BBC head of comedy (1995–2001), he produced the first two radio series of ''The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galax ...

(1953–2008), British comedy producer, writer, and performer * George Perkins (disambiguation), several people *

Gil Perkins Gilbert Vincent Perkins (24 August 1907 – 28 March 1999) was an Australian film and television actor. Early life As a teenager, Perkins was a trackman and an athlete. He ran away from home at a young age and joined the crew of a Norwe ...

, Australian film and television actor *

Henry Perkins (cricketer) Henry Perkins (10 December 1832 – 6 May 1916) was an English lawyer, cricketer and cricket administrator. He played first-class cricket for Cambridge University Cricket Club, Cambridge University, Cambridge Town Club (''aka'' Cambridgeshire), ...

(1832–1916), English cricketer and cricket administrator * Henry Farnham Perkins (1877–1956), American zoologist and eugenicist * Ian Perkins, American musician/guitarist now in the band

The Horrible Crowes The Horrible Crowes is a musical duo consisting of vocalist and guitarist Brian Fallon and guitarist Ian Perkins. Fallon is also the front man in The Gaslight Anthem, a band he formed in 2006. Their debut album and only full-length studio release ...

Isabel Weld Perkins Isabel Anderson (March 29, 1876 – November 3, 1948), , was a Boston heiress, author, and society hostess who left a legacy to the public that includes a park and two museums. Life Early life Born at 284 Marlborough Street in Boston's B ...

(1876–1948), American socialite and philanthropist *

Jack Perkins (disambiguation) Jack Perkins may refer to: * Jack Perkins (footballer) (1903–1955), Australian rules footballer *Jack Perkins (actor) (1921–1998), American film actor *Jack Perkins (reporter) (1933–2019), American reporter and anchorman *Jack Perkins (racing ...

, several people *

Jacob Perkins Jacob Perkins (9 July 1766 – 30 July 1849) was an American inventor, mechanical engineer and physicist. Born in Newburyport, Massachusetts, Perkins was apprenticed to a goldsmith. He soon made himself known with a variety of useful mechanical i ...

(1766–1849), American engineer and inventor: bank-note engraving, engravings transfer, bathometer, pleometer * Jacqueline Perkins (born 1965), Australian long-distance runner * Jacqueline Perkins (diplomat), British diplomat and ambassador * James Perkins (disambiguation), several people * Janet Russell Perkins (1853–1933), American botanist *

Jason Perkins Jason Andre Perkins (born September 20, 1992) is a Filipino-American professional basketball player for the Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA). Personal life Perkins is the youngest of three siblings. ...

(born 1992), Filipino-Canadian basketball player * John Perkins (disambiguation), several people *

Josh Perkins Josh Perkins (born August 25, 1995) is an American professional basketball player for Stal Ostrów Wielkopolski of the Polish Basketball League (PLK). He played college basketball for the Gonzaga Bulldogs. High school career Perkins began his ...

(born 1995), American basketball player in the Israeli Basketball Premier League *

Kathleen Rose Perkins Kathleen Rose Perkins (born November 15, 1974) is an American actress. Life and career Perkins was born in New Baltimore, Michigan, the daughter of Leonard and Donna Perkins. She graduated from Anchor Bay High School (1992) and enrolled in We ...

(born 1974), American actress *

Kendrick Perkins Kendrick Le'Dale "Perk" Perkins (born November 10, 1984) is an American former professional basketball player who is a sports analyst for ESPN. He entered the NBA directly out of high school and played for the Boston Celtics, Oklahoma City Thunder ...

(born 1984), American basketball player *

Kieren Perkins Kieren John Perkins, OAM (born 14 August 1973) is a former Australian freestyle swimmer. He specialised in the 1500-metre freestyle and won successive Olympic gold medals in this event in the 1990s. He won his first at the 1992 Olympics which ...

, Australian Olympic gold medal swimmer *

Larry Perkins Larry Clifton Perkins (born 18 March 1950) is a former racing driver and V8 Supercar team owner from Australia. Biography Early years Growing up on a farm in Cowangie in the Mallee region of Victoria, Larry, the son of racing driver Eddi ...

, Australian Formula One race car driver *

Laurence Perkins Laurence Perkins (born 1954) is a British classical bassoonist. He studied under Charles Cracknell at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester. Perkins was principal bassoonist of the Manchester Camerata The Manchester Camerata ...

, British classical bassoonist * Loftus Perkins, (1834–1891), English engineer *

Luther Perkins Luther Monroe Perkins (January 8, 1928 – August 5, 1968) was an American country music guitarist and a member of the Tennessee Three, the backup band for singer Johnny Cash. Perkins was an iconic figure in what would become known as rockabilly ...

, (1928–1968), American guitarist, backing guitarist for Johnny Cash *

Marlin Perkins Richard Marlin Perkins (March 28, 1905 – June 14, 1986) was an American zoology, zoologist. He was best known as a host of the television program ''Wild Kingdom, Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom'' from 1963 to 1985. Life and career Perkin ...

, American ecologist and naturalist *

Maxwell Perkins William Maxwell Evarts "Max" Perkins (September 20, 1884 – June 17, 1947) was an American book editor, best remembered for discovering authors Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, and Thomas Wolfe. Early life and ...

, American editor for F. Scott Fitzgerald, Ernest Hemingway, Thomas Wolfe * Michael J. Perkins, American

Medal of Honor The Medal of Honor (MOH) is the United States Armed Forces' highest military decoration and is awarded to recognize American soldiers, sailors, marines, airmen, guardians and coast guardsmen who have distinguished themselves by acts of valo ...

recipient *

Millie Perkins Millie Perkins (born May 12, 1938) is an American film and television actress known for her debut film role as Anne Frank in ''The Diary of Anne Frank'' (1959), and for her supporting actress roles in two 1966 Westerns, '' The Shooting'' and '' ...

, American film and television actor * Niles Perkins (1919–1971), American athlete and physician *

Osgood Perkins James Ridley Osgood Perkins (May 16, 1892 – September 21, 1937) was an American actor. Life and career Perkins was born in West Newton, Massachusetts, son of Henry Phelps Perkins Jr., and his wife, Helen Virginia (née Anthony). His maternal g ...

(1892–1937), American actor *

Paul Perkins Paul Kerry Perkins II (born November 16, 1994) is an American former professional football player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the UCLA Bruins, leading the Pac-12 Conference in ...

(born 1994), American football player *

Pinetop Perkins Joe Willie "Pinetop" Perkins (July 7, 1913 – March 21, 2011) was an American blues pianist. He played with some of the most influential blues and rock-and-roll performers of his time and received numerous honors, including a Grammy Life ...

(1913–2011), American blues pianist *

Polly Perkins Polly Perkins (born Gillian Nessie Arnold, 31 May 1943) is a British actress, singer and writer. Perkins rose to fame in the 1960s as a popstar, going on to regularly appear in theatre and cabaret throughout the UK. She is known for playing Ros ...

(born 1943), British actress, singer and writer *

Ray Perkins Walter Ray Perkins (November 6, 1941 – December 9, 2020) was an American football coach and player. He played as a wide receiver for the University of Alabama and Baltimore Colts. He later worked as a football coach for 28 years, including sti ...

(1941–2020), American football coach and former player * Reginald Perkins (1955–2009), American serial killer *

Robbie Perkins Robert Perkins (born 29 May 1994) is an Australian professional baseball catcher for the Canberra Cavalry of the Australian Baseball League. Career Perkins plays in the Australian Baseball League for the Canberra Cavalry. He signed a minor leagu ...

(born 1994), Australian professional baseball player * Rodney Perkins (born 1936), physician and entrepreneur *

Ronnie Perkins Ronnie Perkins (born September 29, 1999) is an American football linebacker for the New England Patriots of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Oklahoma. Early years Perkins attended Lutheran High School North in ...

(born 1999), American football player *

Sam Perkins Samuel Bruce Perkins (born June 14, 1961) is an American former professional basketball player and executive. Perkins was a three-time college All-American, was a member of the 1982 national champion North Carolina Tar Heels, and won a gold me ...

(born 1961), National Basketball Association player * Samuel E. Perkins (1811–1879), Justice of the Indiana Supreme Court * Sarah Maria Clinton Perkins (1824-1905), American social reformer, newspaper editor *

Shane Perkins Shane Perkins (russian: Шейн Перкинс; born 30 December 1986) is an Australian and Russian (since 17 August 2017) professional track cyclist. Biography Early life Perkins was born in Melbourne, the son of Daryl Perkins. As a youngste ...

, Australian track cyclist * Stephanie Perkins, American author *

Stephen Perkins Stephen Andrew Perkins (September 13, 1967) is an American musician and songwriter. A drummer and percussionist, he currently plays with Jane's Addiction and Hellride. Following the dissolution of Jane's Addiction, Perkins continued to play w ...

, American musician, drummer, and songwriter with

Jane's Addiction Jane's Addiction is an American rock band from Los Angeles, formed in 1985. The band consists of vocalist Perry Farrell, guitarist Dave Navarro, drummer Stephen Perkins and bassist Eric Avery. Jane's Addiction was one of the first bands fr ...

* Sue Perkins, British television presenter, actress, comedian and writer *

Tegwen Perkins Tegwen Matthews ( Perkins, formerly Thomas (1979–1987), born 2 October 1955) is a Welsh amateur golfer. She played in four successive Curtis Cup matches from 1974 to 1980, the first Welsh woman to compete in the event. Golf career Matthews won ...

(born 1955), Welsh golfer *

Tex Perkins Gregory Stephen Perkins (born 28 December 1964), better known by his stage name Tex Perkins, is an Australian singer-songwriter who fronted the Australian rock band The Cruel Sea, but has also performed with the Beasts of Bourbon, Thug, James B ...

, Australian singer-songwriter *

Toby Perkins Matthew Toby Perkins (born 12 August 1970) is a British Labour Party politician who has served as Member of Parliament (MP) for Chesterfield since 2010. He has been Shadow Minister for Apprentices and Lifelong Learning since April 2020. Prev ...

UK Labour Party MP and politician * Thomas Perkins (cricketer) (1870–1946), English cricketer, footballer and schoolmaster *

Thomas Handasyd Perkins Colonel Thomas Handasyd Perkins, also known as T. H. Perkins (December 15, 1764 – January 11, 1854), was an American merchant, slave trader, smuggler and philanthropist from a wealthy Boston Brahmin family. Starting with bequests from his grand ...

(1764–1854), American businessman and philanthropist * Tom Perkins, American businessman, founder/principal of Kleiner Perkins *

Tony Perkins (politician) Anthony Richard Perkins (born March 20, 1963) is an American politician and evangelical lobbyist. He is president of the Family Research Council, a Christian conservative policy and lobbying organization based in Washington, D.C. Perkins, an ord ...

, American pastor, politician and activist * Tony Perkins (news anchor), American broadcast journalist, radio personality, and former weathercaster * Tracy Perkins, court-martialed US Army sergeant *

Troy Perkins Troy Perkins (born July 29, 1981) is an American former soccer player. During his career, he played for clubs in the United States, Canada, and Norway. The 2006 Major League Soccer Goalkeeper of the Year award winner earned seven caps with th ...

, American soccer player for the Portland Timbers * Warren Perkins (1922–2014), American professional basketball player *

Wayne Perkins David Wayne Perkins (born 1951) is an American rock and R&B guitarist, singer, songwriter and session musician. According to a 2017 feature about him on the Alabama website AL.com, he is "arguably the greatest guitarist Alabama ever produced. ...

, lead session guitarist for

The Rolling Stones The Rolling Stones are an English Rock music, rock band formed in London in 1962. Active for six decades, they are one of the most popular and enduring bands of the album era, rock era. In the early 1960s, the Rolling Stones pioneered the g ...

Bob Marley Robert Nesta Marley (6 February 1945 – 11 May 1981; baptised in 1980 as Berhane Selassie) was a Jamaican singer, musician, and songwriter. Considered one of the pioneers of reggae, his musical career was marked by fusing elements o ...

Everly Brothers The Everly Brothers were an American rock duo, known for steel-string acoustic guitar playing and close harmony singing. Consisting of Isaac Donald "Don" Everly (February 1, 1937 – August 21, 2021) and Phillip "Phil" Everly (January 19, 193 ...

and others *

William Perkins (disambiguation) William or Bill Perkins may refer to: Sports * Bill Perkins (American football) (1941–2016), American football running back * Bill Perkins (Australian rules footballer) (1920–2009), ex-Richmond VFL footballer * Bill Perkins (baseball) (born 19 ...

, several people

Fictional characters

* Ma Perkins, star of the radio soap opera from 1933 to 1960 * Perkins, character in the Harry Potter books * Ann Perkins, in the

NBC The National Broadcasting Company (NBC) is an American English-language commercial broadcast television and radio network. The flagship property of the NBC Entertainment division of NBCUniversal, a division of Comcast, its headquarters are l ...

sitcom '' Parks and Recreation'' *Emma Perkins, protagonist in the musical ''

The Guy Who Didn't Like Musicals ''The Guy Who Didn't Like Musicals'' is a horror comedy musical with music and lyrics by Jeff Blim and a book by Matt and Nick Lang. The show acted as the first installment in StarKid's Hatchetfield Series. Loosely inspired by ''Invasion of the ...

'' * Harry Perkins, principal character in the novel and TV adaptation ''

A Very British Coup ''A Very British Coup'' is a 1982 novel by British politician Chris Mullin. The novel has twice been adapted for television; as '' A Very British Coup'' in 1988 and as '' Secret State'' in 2012. Plot Harry Perkins is the left-wing Leader of th ...

'' * Perch Perkins, a news anchorman in the TV series ''

SpongeBob SquarePants ''SpongeBob SquarePants'' (or simply ''SpongeBob'') is an American animated comedy television series created by marine science educator and animator Stephen Hillenburg for Nickelodeon. It chronicles the adventures of the title character ...

'' * Polly Perkins, a servant maid unsuccessfully wooed by a milkman, whom she rejected for "the bow-legged conductor of a tuppenny bus", in the 1864 musical-hall song ''

Pretty Polly Perkins of Paddington Green "Pretty Polly Perkins of Paddington Green" is the title of an English song, composed by the London music hall and broadside songwriter Harry Clifton (1832–1872), and first published in 1864. It is catalogued as Roud Folk Song Index No. 430. ...

'' *

, protagonist of American comic strip ''Polly and Her Pals''

Notable people with the surname

Fictional characters

See also