There are several persons and things of note in which the surname Parkinson appears:

• Cecil Edward Parkinson, Baron Parkinson of Camforth, British politician.
• Cecil Northcote Parkinson, historian and author, who formulated Parkinson's Law.
• David Parkinson, cinema historian.
• Dian Parkinson, cast member of the game show The Price is Right.
• James Parkinson, physician, researcher of Parkinson's Disease.
• Michael Parkinson, television presenter.