Surname Pleasants - Meaning and Origin

Pleasants: What does the surname Pleasants mean?

The last name Pleasants is derived from the Latin word "placere", meaning "to please". This name was likely first adopted by people seeking to express their pleasurable outlook, ambitions or desires. This surname can also be derived from the English word "pleasant", indicating that those bearing it were memorable and easy-going.

Throughout history, many Pleasants family members have distinguished themselves across various fields. Their success can be attributed to their positive outlooks and passion for what they do. For instance, Edmund Pendleton Pleasants was a renowned tobacco planter, owning one of the largest farms in the United States and eventually helping to found the National Tobacco Company.

In the art world, guitarist and composer George Randolph Pleasants left a heavy, blues-infused mark on southern American music. His work combines elements of jazz, soul and gospel to create a unique sound that is both varied and nostalgic. Other famous Pleasants family members include renaissance poet and playwright George Pleasants and Civil War General Robert Elzey Pleasants.

The Pleasants name maintains its prevalence today, as it has done for generations. While its origins may lay in the idea of seeking pleasure and happiness, the many notable members of this distinguished family demonstrate that success and recognition often follow it.

Pleasants: Where does the name Pleasants come from?

The last name Pleasants is a fairly common last name in the United States today. It is most commonly found in the southeastern states of the country, particularly in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia. It is believed to have originated in colonial Virginia, when one of its earliest known holders was William Pleasants, a pioneer of what is now the region of Henrico County.

Since then, surnames of the Pleasants family have spread across the country, with notable populations in the Mid-Atlantic and Southern regions. In addition, other branches of the family are found in Florida, California, Ohio, and Illinois.

Despite its primarily southeastern roots, the Pleasants name is also strongly represented within the military. During the Second World War, Leslie A. Pleasants was awarded the Distinguished Service and Silver Star for his bravery in the European theater. More recently, retired Command Sergeant Major Robert J. Pleasants III was honored for his service in the United States Army, and currently is a member of the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy.

The Pleasants family’s influence has not been limited to the military; notable members of the Pleasants family include two former members of the Virginia House of Delegates and a former mayor of Richmond, Virginia.

In general, the Pleasants last name remains far from rare today. With thousands of surnames of the Pleasants family across the country, the last name remains a symbol of strength, courage, and service to many families with deep roots in the southeastern United States.

Variations of the surname Pleasants

The surname Pleasants has many variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. These include Pleasance, Plesance, Plessant, Plesent, Plessent, Plaisance, Plaisense, Plaisant, Pleazant, Plesantz, Plaizance, Plazance, Plazant, Plesaunt, Plaisence, Pleasants, Plaizant and Pleazantz.

The origin of the Pleasants name derives from the Latin word “placens” meaning “pleasant”. Early mentions of the surname in records date back to the 13th century when it featured in records of people living in the counties of Yorkshire, Lancashire and Staffordshire in England. The Pleasants name can also be found in various records across the United States, Australia and Canada.

The Pleasants name can be found in records in the form of both a personal name and a patronymic. It can also be found in various forms such as Plesant, Pleazantz and Plaisant. This reflects the surnames evolution through different eras, accents and regions.

Thus, there are many variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Pleasants. It is likely that this name will continue to change over the years, as language and customs evolve.

Famous people with the name Pleasants

• Minnie Pleasants: a philanthropist during the 1900s, she was inducted into the Louisiana Women’s Hall of Fame in 2008.
• John Pleasants: a Chief of Police in Norfolk, Virginia in the early 20th century.
• Monte Pleasants: a notable musician who worked in the genres of jazz, big band, swing, and blues.
• Geoff Pleasants: a former professional football player who played in the NFL from 1971 to 1981.
• Thomas Pleasants: a fifth-generation actor and director who has been in films since 1919.
• Robert Pleasants: a philanthropist and slaveholder from 19th century Virginia.
• William Pleasants: the founder of Pleasants Hardware Co. in Richmond, Virginia, he went on to become the President of the Ameican Hardware Manufacturers Association.
• Richard Pleasants: an early settler of what would become the Virginia Colony in the 16th century.
• Benjamin Pleasants: a prominent minister in England in the 18th century.
• John Pleasants: a record producer and songwriter who has worked with popular artists such as Stevie Wonder and Michael Jackson.

Other surnames

PleasancePleasant