Parker

Occupational

Meaning

A keeper or warden of a park, typically a nobleman's hunting preserve or estate.

Etymology

Derived from Old French 'parc' and the agent suffix '-er,' indicating one who maintains or guards a park. The surname emerged in medieval England when parks were valuable assets requiring dedicated management.

About the Parker Surname

Parker was an important occupational surname for those employed to manage and protect aristocratic hunting parks and estates. The role was significant in medieval and early modern England, making it a relatively common hereditary surname.

Distribution & Frequency

Estimated 312,000 bearers in the United States #217 most common surname
Rare Common

Widespread across England and very common in the United States, Canada, and other English-speaking nations.

Parker Surname Distribution

Geographic distribution based on Civil War military records.

Fewer
More

People with the Parker Surname