Percy

Percy is a name used as both a surname and a given name. It originates from the Norman-French toponymic surname de Percy, assigned to people from the village of Percy in Normandy, France, and later brought to England. The name gained prominence with the House of Percy, a powerful medieval noble family that held lands in Northumberland and elsewhere and played a significant role in English history. From the early modern period onward, Percy became established as a given name in English-speaking countries, often shortened from Percival or used independently. Today, it remains most common in the United Kingdom and North America and is encountered in various cultures.

Notable people with the surname include members of the House of Percy, such as the Earls and Dukes of Northumberland. Notable individuals with Percy as a given name include the 19th-century English poet Percy Bysshe Shelley; American inventor Percy Spencer; American soul singer Percy Sledge; Canadian conductor Percy Faith; and American football player Percy Harvin.

In fiction, Percy Jackson is the hero of Rick Riordan's series; Percy Weasley is a character in J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series; Percy the Small Engine is a beloved steam locomotive in the children's television series Thomas & Friends; Percy the Park Keeper is a British children's television character.