Brinkley is a surname. Notable people with the surname include:
Alan Brinkley, historianChristie Brinkley, modelDavid Brinkley, (1920–2003), television journalistDavid R. Brinkley, Maryland politicianDon Brinkley, (1921–2012) television writer and producer, adoptive father of ChristieDouglas Brinkley, author and historianAmy Woods Brinkley, businesswomanJohn Brinkley (astronomer) (1763–1835), Astronomer Royal of IrelandJohn R. Brinkley (1885–1941), American doctor known for his radio broadcastsStephen Brinkley, English printer of the sixteenth centurySterling Brinkley, businessman