An English surname, Parker is based on an Old French term ‘parc’ that referred to a "keeper of the park." This English surname traditionally has been used for a man who was gamekeeper at a medieval park or location.

Other spellings for Parker include Park, Parke, Parkes and Parks.

The Parker surname is very common in England. Many with the Parker surname live in Australia and Canada.

In the United States the Parker surname is mostly east of the Mississippi River. In the eastern half of the country there are less in West Virginia, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Delaware. Other than California and Texas the western portion of the U. S. also has fewer Parker families.

Famous: Dorothy Parker (writer), Fess Parker (actor), Bonnie Parker (criminal), Tom Parker (entertainment manager for Elvis Presley), William Parker (19th century abolitionist), Horatio Parker (19th century music composer), Sarah Jessica Parker (actress), Will Parker (rugby player), Robert A. Parker (U. S. astronaut), John Parker (18th century captain at the Battle of Lexington) and George Sinnerton Parker (founder of Parker Brothers).