Perkin

Perkin is a surname of English origin and, less commonly, a masculine given name. It appears in historical records from the late medieval period and is related to the surname Perkins; related forms include Perkins and Perkyn.

Perkin Warbeck (c. 1474–1499) was a pretender to the English throne who claimed to be a younger son of Edward IV and used the name Perkin Warbeck. His rebellion aimed to place himself on the English throne and ended with his execution in 1499.

Sir William Henry Perkin (1838–1907) was an English chemist who, in 1856, while attempting to synthesize quinine, discovered mauveine, the first synthetic dye. This breakthrough helped launch the synthetic dye industry and marked a turning point in industrial chemistry, influencing both science and manufacturing practices of the era.

The Perkin Medal, established in 1906 by the American Section of the Society of Chemical Industry, honors achievement in applied chemistry and is named for William Henry Perkin. The award is regarded as one of the most prestigious recognitions in the field of chemistry in the United States.

Today, Perkin primarily appears as a surname, with Perkins as a common variant, and is associated with historical figures, science, and genealogy.