http://www.houseofnames.com/parker-family-crest
The surname of PARKER was an occupational name 'the Parker' the guardian or keeper of the park. In medieval times this would have meant a deer park. The name was found in early registers throughout England. It was originally derived from the French 'parquier', and the name was brought to England in the wake of the Norman Conquest of 1066. The name was listed in the Domesday Book as Parcher. Early records of the name include John Parcar, 1273, County Dorset. Adam le Parker of County Norfolk was recorded in the same year. Martin le Parker of Yorkshire, was listed in the Yorkshire Poll Tax of 1379. Hugh Parker and Alice Bateman were married in London in the year 1570. A family called Parker have been established for centuries in Lancashire; Browsholme Hall, near Clitheroe, was first built by Richard le Parker in 1380, and is still the family seat. The name is extremely widespread; another well-known family are established in Cheshire, where their ancestors were keepers of the royal park. Matthew Parker (1504-75) was the English prelate and the second Anglican archbishop of Canterbury, born in Norwich. He became chaplain to Queen Anne Boleyn in 1535, dean of a college at Stoke in Suffolk, a royal chaplain, canon of Ely, and dean of Lincoln. He married, and was deprived of his preferments by Queen Mary I. Under Queen Elizabeth he was consecrated archbishop of Canterbury in 1559. The ritual was not the Roman one; but the scandalous fable that he was originally consecrated in an inn called the Nag's Head, originated in Catholic circles about 40 years later. At first the coat of arms was a practical matter which served a function on the battlefield and in tournaments. With his helmet covering his face, and armour encasing the knight from head to foot, the only means of identification for his followers, was the insignia painted on his shield and embroidered on his surcoat, the flowing and draped garment worn over the armour. The associated coat of arms is recorded in Sir Bernard Burkes General Armory. Ulster King of Arms in 1884.