Parkinson is a surname, and may refer to:
- Amber Parkinson (born 1976), Australian fencer
- Bob Parkinson (born 1873), English footballer
- Cecil Parkinson (1931–2016), Baron Parkinson of Carnforth, British politician
- C. Northcote Parkinson (1909–93), historian and author who formulated Parkinson's Law
- Dave Parkinson (1923-1978), Australian rugby league footballer
- Dian Parkinson (born 1944), cast member of the game show The Price is Right
- Frank Parkinson (1887–1946), British industrialist
- Jack Parkinson (footballer born 1869) (1869–1911), English footballer
- James Parkinson :
- John Parkinson :
- Katherine Parkinson (born 1978), English actress
- Keith Parkinson (1958–2005), American fantasy artist and illustrator
- Kenneth Parkinson, member of Watergate Seven
- Mark Parkinson :
- Sir Michael Parkinson (born 1935), television presenter, famous for his chat show Parkinson
- Mike Parkinson (1948–2009), New Zealand All Black
- Nick Parkinson (1925–2011), Australian public servant and diplomat
- Pansy Parkinson, character from the Harry Potter series, close friend to Draco Malfoy
- Phil Parkinson (born 1967), English football manager
- Richard Parkinson (disambiguation), multiple people
- Sydney Parkinson (1745–71), Scottish natural history artist