Perkins is a surname derived from the

Anglo-Saxon The Anglo-Saxons, in some contexts simply called Saxons or the English, were a Cultural identity, cultural group who spoke Old English and inhabited much of what is now England and south-eastern Scotland in the Early Middle Ages. They traced t ...

corruption of the kin of

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 Countries of the United Kingdom, country that is part of the United Kingdom. It is located on the island of Great Britain, of which it covers about 62%, and List of islands of England, more than 100 smaller adjacent islands. It ...

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 Normans, Norman, French people, French, Flemish people, Flemish, and Bretons, Breton troops, all led by the Du ...

. 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 or anglicization is a form of cultural assimilation whereby something non-English becomes assimilated into or influenced by the culture of England. It can be sociocultural, in which a non-English place adopts the English language ...

form of

Peredur Peredur (, Old Welsh ''Peretur'') is the name of a number of men from the boundaries of history and legend in sub-Roman Britain. The Peredur who is most familiar to a modern audience is the character who made his entrance as a knight in the Ar ...

, from medieval Welsh.

People

A to D

* A. E. Perkins (June 21, 1879 – April 19, 1946), American principal and author *

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. Born in Manhattan, Perkins began his career as a teenager in summer stock theater, summer stock programs, although he acted in films before his time on Broadway the ...

(1932–1992), American actor * Archie Perkins (b 2002), Australian football league player * Arthur James Perkins (1871–1944), viticulturist and educationist in South Australia *

Benjamin Douglas Perkins Elisha Perkins (January 16, 1741September 6, 1799) was an American 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 metal al ...

(1774–1810), American propagandist of "Perkins tractors" therapy *

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 (1787–1866), Congressman from New York * Bishop W. Perkins (1841–1894), U.S. Representative and Senator from Kansas * Brian Perkins, New Zealander anchor and newsreader on BBC Radio 4 *

Bryce Perkins Bryce Perkins (born December 20, 1996) is an American professional football quarterback for the Michigan Panthers of the United Football League (UFL). He played college football at Arizona State, Arizona Western, and Virginia before signing w ...

(born 1996), American football player * Broderick Perkins (born 1954), American baseball player *

Carl Perkins Carl Lee Perkins (April 9, 1932 – January 19, 1998)#nytimesobit, Pareles. was an American guitarist, singer and songwriter. A rockabilly great and pioneer of rock and roll, he began his recording career at the Sun Studio, in Memphis, Tennes ...

(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 Kentucky's 7th congressional district, 7th district of Kentucky from 1984 to 1993. Perkins was convicted on ...

, politician, Kentucky Representative *

Carl Dewey Perkins Carl Dewey Perkins (October 15, 1912 – August 3, 1984) was an American politician and member of the United States House of Representatives from the Commonwealth of Kentucky serving from 1949 until his death from a heart attack in Lexington, ...

(1912–1984), politician, Kentucky Representative * Charles A. Perkins, American lawyer *

Charles Callahan Perkins Charles Callahan Perkins (March 1, 1823 – August 25, 1886) was an art critic, author, organizer of cultural activities, and an influential friend of design and of music in Boston. Biography Charles C. Perkins was born in Boston on March 1, 18 ...

(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 Anna 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, early sociologist, advocate for social reform ...

(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 *Daniel Perkins, of the Perkins Reluctant Phoenix British human-powered aircraft * Darius Perkins (1964–2019), Australian actor * Daryl Perkins, Australian track cyclist * Don Perkins, National Football League running back for the Dallas Cowboys *

Doron Perkins Doron Perkins (born on May 6, 1983) is an American former professional basketball player and currently an assistant coach for the Cleveland Charge of the NBA G League. Standing at 1.91 m (6 ft 3 in) he can play as either a point guard or a sh ...

, American basketball player of Israeli Basketball Premier League

E to K

* Edward J. Perkins, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations *

Edwin Perkins (disambiguation) Edwin Perkins may refer to: * Edwin Perkins (inventor) (1889–1961), American inventor of the Kool-Aid powder drink mix * Edwin Perkins (politician) (1855–1937), British Conservative Party politician * Ed Perkins (born 1953), Canadian mat ...

, several people *

Elisha Perkins Elisha Perkins (January 16, 1741September 6, 1799) was an American 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 metal al ...

(1741–1799), American physician * Elizabeth Perkins, American actress * Emily Perkins, Canadian actress * Emily Perkins (novelist), New Zealand author * Emily Pitkin Perkins, wife of Connecticut Governor and US Senator Roger Sherman Baldwin * Evora Bucknum Perkins (1851–1929), American educator, cookbook writer, and missionary *

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 Universi ...

, American glass artist *

Frances Perkins Frances Perkins (born Fannie Coralie Perkins; April 10, 1880 – May 14, 1965) was an American workers-rights advocate who served as the fourth United States Secretary of Labor from 1933 to 1945, the longest serving in that position. A member o ...

(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 * Gastón Perkins (1928–2006), Argentine racing driver *

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

(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 Norw ...

, Australian film and television actor * Henry Coit Perkins (1804–1873), American physician and amateur photographer * Henry Perkins (cricketer) (1832–1916), English cricketer and cricket administrator * Henry Farnham Perkins (1877–1956), American zoologist and eugenicist * Howard C. Perkins (1924-1995), American war hero from Kansas * Hugh V. Perkins (1918–1988), American human development and education researcher * Ian Perkins, American musician/guitarist of the band The Horrible Crowes *

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 * J. Will Perkins (died 1926), American politician from Maryland * Jack Perkins (disambiguation), several people *

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

(1766–1849), American engineer and inventor * Jacqueline Perkins (born 1965), Australian long-distance runner * Jacqueline Perkins (diplomat), British diplomat and ambassador * James Perkins (disambiguation), several people *

Janet Russell Perkins Janet Russell Perkins (March 20, 1853 – 1933) was an American-born botanist. Perkins authored 191 land plant species names, the tenth highest number of such names authored by any female scientist. Born in Lafayette, Indiana, Janet was the daug ...

(1853–1933), American botanist * Jason Perkins (born 1992), Filipino-Canadian basketball player *

John Perkins (disambiguation) John Perkins may refer to: *John Perkins (Australian politician) (1878–1954), Australian politician *John Perkins (author) (born 1945), American author of ''Confessions of an Economic Hit Man'' *John Perkins (rugby union) (born 1954), Wales intern ...

, several people * Josephine Amelia Perkins (born c. 1818), British horse thief and prisoner * Josh Perkins (born 1995), American basketball player in the Israeli Basketball Premier League * Julia Shepard Perkins (1799–1884), American writer and educator. * Katherine K. Perkins, American physics educator * Kathleen Rose Perkins (born 1974), American actress * Kendrick Perkins (born 1984), American basketball player *

Kieren Perkins Kieren John Perkins (born 14 August 1973) is an Australian former 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 he ...

, Australian Olympic gold medal swimmer

L to R

* Larry Perkins, 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 from 1974 to 2017. He has ...

, British classical bassoonist *

Loftus Perkins Loftus Perkins (8 May 1834 – 27 April 1891) was an English engineer, particularly involved in developing the practical technologies of central heating and refrigeration. Life Perkins was born in London, the son of Angier March Perkins and was ...

, (1834–1891), English engineer * Luther Perkins, (1928–1968), American guitarist, backing guitarist for Johnny Cash *

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

, 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 Awards and decorations of the United States Armed Forces, military decoration and is awarded to recognize American United States Army, soldiers, United States Navy, sailors, Un ...

recipient *

Millie Perkins Millie Perkins (born May 12, 1936) is an American retired model and film and television actress known for her debut film role as Anne Frank in ''The Diary of Anne Frank (1959 film), The Diary of Anne Frank'' (1959), and for her supporting actre ...

, American film and television actor * Natalia Perkins, Russian and American physicist *

Niles Perkins Niles Lee Perkins, Jr. (July 1, 1919 – April 25, 1971) was an American athlete and physician. Perkins was United States champion in men's 35-lb weight throw in 1940 and held the weight throw indoor world record for nine years. He was also a go ...

(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 ...

(1892–1937), American actor *

Oz Perkins Osgood Robert "Oz" Perkins II (born February 2, 1974) is an American filmmaker and actor. He began his career as a child actor, portraying the young version of his father Anthony Perkins' character Norman Bates in '' Psycho II'' (1983), and lat ...

(born 1974), American screenwriter, director * Paul Perkins (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 Lifet ...

(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 (born 1994), Australian professional baseball player * Rodney Perkins (born 1936), physician and entrepreneur * Ronnie Perkins (born 1999), American football player

S to Z

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 med ...

(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 * Scott Perkins (born 1980), American composer * Shane Perkins, Australian track cyclist * Stephanie Perkins, American author *

Stephen Perkins Stephen Andrew Perkins (born September 13, 1967) is an American musician and songwriter. A drummer and percussionist, he has played with Jane's Addiction, Porno for Pyros, Banyan and Hellride. His style blends rock, jazz, swing, African, In ...

, American musician, drummer, and songwriter with Jane's Addiction *

Sue Perkins Susan Elizabeth Perkins (born 22 September 1969) is an English actress, broadcaster, comedian, presenter and writer. Originally coming to prominence through her comedy partnership with Mel Giedroyc in ''Mel and Sue'', she progressed into radio a ...

, British television presenter, actress, comedian and writer * Tegwen Perkins (born 1955), Welsh golfer * Tex Perkins, Australian singer-songwriter * Thomas Perkins (cricketer) (1870–1946), English cricketer, footballer and schoolmaster * Thomas Clap Perkins (1798–1870), American lawyer and politician * Thomas Nelson Perkins (1870–1937), American lawyer from Massachusetts *

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 of Kleiner Perkins *

Toby Perkins Matthew Toby Perkins (born 12 August 1970) is a British Labour Party politician who has served as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Chesterfield since 2010. He served as Shadow Minister for Rural Affairs from 2023 until 2024. He previously se ...

UK Labour Party MP and politician *

Tony Perkins (politician) Anthony Richard Perkins (born March 20, 1963) is an American politician and Southern Baptist pastor, who has served as president of the Family Research Council since 2003. Previously, he was a police officer and television reporter. From 1996 to ...

, American pastor, politician and activist * Tony Perkins (news anchor), American broadcast journalist, radio personality * Tracy Perkins, court-martialed US Army sergeant * Troy Perkins, American soccer player for the Portland Timbers * Victoria Perkins (born 2004), Welsh boxer *

Warren Perkins Warren Charles "Red" Perkins (February 2, 1922 – September 12, 2014) was an American professional basketball player. Perkins was selected in the fourth round of the 1949 BAA Draft by the Providence Steamrollers after a collegiate career at Tu ...

(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, Bob Marley, Everly Brothers * William Perkins (disambiguation), several people

Fictional characters

Ann Perkins Ann Meredith Perkins, RN, portrayed by Rashida Jones, is a fictional character in the NBC comedy '' Parks and Recreation''. She is a nurse and Leslie Knope's best friend. Ann is originally from Ann Arbor, Michigan, moving to Pawnee sometime ...

, in the American sitcom '' Parks and Recreation'' * Emma Perkins, protagonist in the musical '' The Guy Who Didn't Like Musicals'' * Harry Perkins, principal character in the novel and TV adaptation ''

A Very British Coup ''A Very British Coup'' is a 1982 novel by British Labour 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 Leade ...

'' * Joe Perkins (Santa Barbara), on the American soap opera ''Santa Barbara'' *

Ma Perkins ''Ma Perkins'' (sometimes called ''Oxydol's Own Ma Perkins'') is an American radio soap opera that was heard on NBC from 1933 to 1949 and on CBS from 1942 to 1960. It was also broadcast in Canada, and Radio Luxembourg carried it in Europe. T ...

, star of the radio soap opera from 1933 to 1960 * Perch Perkins, a news anchorman in the TV series ''

SpongeBob SquarePants ''SpongeBob SquarePants'' is an American animated television series, animated comedy television series created by marine science educator and animator Stephen Hillenburg for Nickelodeon. It first aired as a sneak peek after the 1999 Kids' C ...

'' *

Polly Perkins (comics character) ''Polly and Her Pals'' is an American comic strip, created by cartoonist Cliff Sterrett, which ran from December 4, 1912, until December 7, 1958. It is regarded as one of the most graphically innovative strips of the 20th century. It debuted as ...

, protagonist of the American comic strip ''Polly and Her Pals'' * Polly Perkins, a servant maid in the 1864 musical-hall song " Pretty Polly Perkins of Paddington Green" * Quinn Perkins, on the television series ''Scandal'' * Rosie Perkins, protagonist in the 2023 film ''Hemet, or the Landlady Don't Drink Tea'' * Perkins, a character in the Harry Potter books * Mr. Perkins, live-action host of ''

Thomas & Friends ''Thomas & Friends'' is a British children's television series which aired from 9 October 1984 to 20 January 2021. Based on ''The Railway Series'' books by Wilbert Awdry and his son Christopher Awdry, Christopher, the series was developed for ...

'' * Ms. Perkins, one of the lesser antagonists in the movie "