Denise, an excellent presentation. Thanks very much. Bill Perkins <wkp@world.std.com> Franklin, MA On Mon, 8 Dec 1997, MRS DENISE E READY wrote: > > The English surname PERKINS is patronymic in origin, > being one of those names derived from the first name of a > father. In this case, the surname is composed of two > elements: "Per", which is a contracted form of PETER and > the diminutive suffix "-Kin". Hence, the literal meaning of > this surname is "LITTLE PETER". The "-s" ending usually > denotes "son of", thus PERKINS would originally have > identified the bearer as a "son of Peter". Parkin and > Perkinson are other variants of the name. This custom of > naming appears to have commenced in the Middle Ages, when > it was the practice for sons to take their surnames from > the Christian name of their fathers. > > Early instances of the surname include one Edmund Perkyn, > whose name was recorded in the Subsidy Rolls for Suffolk > in 1327, and a Walter Perkyns, who lived in Worrestershire > in 1327 (Subsidy Rolls). More recent records reveal that > this is the surname of some notable English families > (Kelly's Handbook to the Titled,Landed and Official Classes) > . The name is most numerous in the south of England, the > south Midlands and South Wales. Notable bearers of the > surname include the English theologian William Perkins > (1558-1602) and, more recently, the American editor Maxwell > Evarts Perkins (1884-1947). >