Surname Platvoetz - Meaning and Origin

Platvoetz: What does the surname Platvoetz mean?

The last name Platvoetz is of Dutch origin, and the name itself is composed of two words: “plat”, meaning “flat”, and “voet”, meaning “foot”. The name as a whole therefore translates to “flat foot”.

In some cases, certain last names can give us insight into the origins and/or physical qualities of particular family lines. In the case of the Platvoetz family, the last name can tell us that at some point in their ancestry, a member of the family line had particularly flat feet.

Although the literal translation of the name is likely not the reason for its existence, the name can still be seen as a marker of something special, a physical trait that was passed down from generation to generation, which resulted in the name itself.

The Dutch language is particularly creative in naming family lines; this last name is just one example of many that express the unique ancestries, physical features, and life experiences of Dutch families.

Platvoetz: Where does the name Platvoetz come from?

The last name Platvoetz is a surname primarily located in the Netherlands today. It is thought to have originated from Delfland in the south of the country. The name is associated with the Dutch word 'platvoet', which means 'flat foot', and is thought to be a nickname for someone with that physical characteristic.

The earliest known mention of the surname in records occurs in 1394 when one Jannis Platvoet was recorded in Dutch city of Leeuwarden. By that time, the surname had become popular enough that a Bannighe Platvoet was mentioned in Amsterdam in 1537.

Today, Platvoetz is most commonly found in the western Netherlands, primarily in Drenthe, Friesland and Overijssel provinces. It is much less common in other parts of the country.

The U.S. census shows that the name Platvoetz is not particularly common outside of the Netherlands, with only 77 living people in the United States having that surname.

Regardless of its origin, the Platvoetz last name remains common in the Netherlands today, with 25,778 current listings in the Netherlands Phonebook. Of these listings, 23,694 are located in the western provinces of Drenthe, Friesland, and Overijssel.

Variations of the surname Platvoetz

Platvoetz is a Dutch surname of German origin. Alternate spellings of the surname Platvoetz include Platvoet, Platvoeten, Platvotz, Platvoetzen, Platwotz, Platwoten, and Platwotzen. This surname is derived from the German word "platt" (which means flat) combined with the German word "voetz" (which means foot).

Variants of the surname Platvoetz include Plat, Platt, Plan, Plant, Van Platt, VanPlan, Platenberg, Platenkamp, Platenheuvel, Platvoets, Platvoetse, and Plattvoetz. All of these variants are derived from the original German surname and are intended to pass the same meaning to those who use it.

The surname Platvoetz is most commonly found in the Netherlands. In many cases, it may be used in combination with the surname Platvoet. For example, when a person has both the surname Platvoetz and Platvoet, they may be referred to as the Platvoetz-Platvoet family.

Though the surname Platvoetz is most popular in the Netherlands, some individuals have adopted the name from Germanic origins. As many as sixty-five individuals in the United States have adopted the surname, and as many as forty-four individuals in Canada have adopted the surname as well. These individuals have most likely emigrated to these areas from the Netherlands.

Regardless of its origins, the surname Platvoetz still carries the meaning of “flat foot” today. It is a reminder of the Dutch origins of the name and is symbolic of its Germanic background.

Famous people with the name Platvoetz

• Franz Platvoet, German footballer who last played for Fortuna Düsseldorf in 2013.
• Mo Platvoet, Dutch soccer player who played professionally for FC Twente from 1998 to 2000.
• Dirk Platvoet, Dutch speedway rider who competed in the Speedway Grand Prix series from 2006 to 2007.
• Mark Platvoet, Dutch professional racing cyclist who competed in several road races from 2004 to 2008.
• Arthur Platvoet, Dutch professional athlete and multi-sport competitor who won a bronze medal in Wrestling at the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin.
• Bertus Platvoet, Dutch professional cyclist who competed in road racing from 1957 to 1966.
• Chris Platvoet, Dutch professional ice hockey player who played in the Dutch Elite League from 1980 to 1984.
• Dheer Platvoet, Dutch professional athlete and long distance runner who competed in the Summer Olympics in 1976 and 1980.
• Marcel Platvoet, Dutch professional football player who played for Feyenoord and NAC Breda in the Netherlands from 1976 to 1984.
• Mike Platvoet, Dutch professional athlete and triple jumper who competed in the Summer Olympics in 1972.

Other surnames

Platvoet