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The Ancient History of the Distinguished Surname Parker

The distinguished surname Parker is one of the most notable Anglo/Saxon surnames, and its historical trail has emerged from the mists of time to become an influential surname of the middle ages and of the present day.

In an in-depth research of such ancient manuscripts as the Domesday Book compiled in 1086 A.D., by Duke William of Normandy, the Ragman Rolls (1291-1296) collected by King Edward 1st of England, the Curia Regis Rolls, The Pipe Rolls, the Hearth Rolls, parish registers, baptismals, tax records and other ancient documents, researchers found the first record of the name Parker in Derbyshire where they had been seated from very ancient times.

I have found many different spellings in the archives researched. Although the name Parker occurred in many manuscripts, from time to time the surname was also spelt Parker, Parkers, Parkeres, and these changes in spelling frequently occurred, even between father and son. There is one record, a father and eight sons. In the graveyard where they are buried, all nine have different spellings of their surnames. Many reasons were revealed for these spelling variations but mainly church officials and scribes spelt the names as it was told to them.

The family name Parker is one of the most notable of the ancient Anglo/Saxon race. This founding race of England, a fair skinned people led by the Saxon General/Commanders Hengist and Horsa, settled In Kent from about the year 400 A.D. The Angles, on the other hand, occupied the eastern coast.

The Anglo/Saxon five-century domination of English society was an uncertain time, and the nation divided into five separate kingdoms, a high king being elected as supreme ruler. By 1066, King Harold came to the throne of England which was enjoying reasonable peace and prosperity. However, the Norman invasion from France and their victory at the Battle of Hastings, found many of the vanquished Saxon land owners forfeiting their land to Duke William and his invading nobles. The became oppressed under Norman rule, and some moved northward to the midlands, Lancashire and Yorkshire, even into Scotland.

The family name Parker emerged as a notable English family name in the county of Derbyshire. One of the first records of this noble name was about 1380 during the reign of King Richard II when Thomas Parker of Bulwell is recorded on the border of Derbyshire and Yorkshire. This name had been seated there since ancient times. The senior line descending from Thomas Parker, however, became extinct about the sixteenth century. The junior lines produced the Earls of Macclesfield, and the Baronies of Morley and Monteagle, but these latter two baronies have been in abeyance since 1685. Largely from the midland of England the name flourished in the counties of Derby, Staffordshire, Warwickshire and Norringham. By the 14th century an important branch evolved in Devonshire at a place called Whiteway. They settled at North Moulton in Devon. They also moved northward to Scotland and William Parker of Kilmon, Perthshire, a parson, rendered homage in 1296, to King Edward I of England on his brief conquest of Scotland. The name continued to flourish in both England and Scotland for the next two or three centuries, particularly in Scotland where the family name acquired lands in Dundee and became associated the Ogilvies. Notable amongst the family at this times was the Earl of Macclesfield.

For the next two or three centuries bearers of the surname Parker flourished and played a significant role in the political development of England. During the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries England was ravaged by religious and political conflict. Puritanism, Catholicism, Royalist and parliamentary forces shed much blood. Many families were freely encouraged to migrate to Ireland, or to the colonies. Some were rewarded with grants of lands, others were banished.

In Ireland, settlers became known as the Adventurers seeking land in Ireland. Called "undertakers" they undertook to maintain the Protestant faith. In Ireland this distinguished family were recorded in the 1659 census in all the provinces. Meanwhile the New World beckoned and migration continued, some voluntarily from Ireland, but mostly directly from England or Scotland, their home territories. Some clans and families even moved to the European continent. Kinsman of the family name Parker were amongst the who sailed aboard the armada of small sailing ships know as the "White Sails" which plied the stormy Atlantic. These overcrowded ships were pestilence ridden, sometimes 30% to 40% of the passenger list never reaching their destination, their numbers were reduced by sickness of the elements.

Principal amongst the settlers which could be considered a kinsman of the surname Parker, or a variable spelling of that family name was Captain George Parker who settled in Accomac Co. 1654; William Parker, who settled in Hartford, Connecticut in 1635; and Neilson Parker who settled in New Jersey. The trek from the port of entry was also arduous and many joined the wagon trains to the prairies or to the west coast. During the American War of Independence, many loyalists made their way north to Canada about 1790, and became known as the United Empire Loyalists.

20th century notables of this surname, Parker, include many distinguished persons, Barrett Parker, American diplomat; Clifford Parker, British lawyer; Sir Edmund Parker, British Company Director; Glenn Parker, American Supreme Court Judge; Raymond Parker, Artist.

Research has determined the above Coat of Arms to be the most ancient recorded for the family surname of Parker.

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