Surname Plonket - Meaning and Origin

Plonket: What does the surname Plonket mean?

The surname Plonket is of Irish origin and it is derived from the Gaelic name "Pluinceid" or "Pluincéid". This name is of ancient medieval origin, and it is linked to the Norman French invaders who established themselves in Ireland around the 12th century. It is said to be a variant of the name "Blanchet" meaning "little white one", which is believed to have been eventually converted to Plunkett due to the influences of English language on Irish names. However, there is a conflicting theory suggesting that it comes from the French word “plonger” meaning "to plunge", and could be the name given to a person who lived near a prominent plunge pool or waterfall. This makes determining the definitive origin of the name Plonket rather difficult. Although it isn't widespread, the Plonket family line is particularly prominent in County Meath, northeastern Ireland. The family held a significant role in the Irish nobility, with members serving as lords, archbishops, and decorated soldiers throughout history.

Plonket: Where does the name Plonket come from?

The last name Plonket is not commonly found today and is considered quite rare, although it is believed to be of French origin.

The earliest traceable records of the name Plonket can be found in documentations from the 1600s in what is now the French Pays de la Loire region located in western France. This area, which was formerly known as Maine-Anjou, is thought to be the original homeland of the name Plonket, as it has been found there at least since early modern times.

Throughout the years, the Plonket surname has spread to many countries and regions; such as Germany, Belgium, Switzerland, Luxembourg, and the United States of America.

In the U.S., the first Plonket family immigrated to East Providence, Rhode Island in the mid-1800’s. However, due to the rarity of the name, it may be difficult to trace the history of the Plonkets to this day.

Today, the Plonket surname is not as commonly found, although it is believed that some of the Plonkets have migrated to the West Coast of the United States. To this day, no one knows exactly how many Plonkets still live in the United States, but it is believed to be a fairly small, yet widely dispersed population.

Variations of the surname Plonket

The surname Plonket can have several variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. Plonket is thought to be derived from the French language, with the oldest record of the name being found in Champagne, France. Plonquet is a variation of the French name Planchet, which is derived from the Old French word "planche," meaning "board." Variations of the Plonket surname include Planche, Planchet, Planchette, Plonkette, Planchette, Planchon, Plonque, Planchot, Plancher, and Planchet.

The surnames related to Plonket are derived from the former provincial names that were based on the geography or topography of France. The modern variations of the surname include Plonkett, Plonke, Plonketto, Plonketty, Plankett, Planchette, Plonketty, and Plonkat. Other variations of the name are found in other European countries, with spellings such as Plonkar, Ploncier, and Plancon.

The last name Plonket is found in records in Great Britain as early as 1620. People with the first name of Plonket became more prominent in English culture during the 19th century, with references in published texts citing the name. It is also thought to be a Huguenot name, being brought to England after the Protestant Revolution in the 17th century.

The last name Plonket is still used today in the United Kingdom, as well as the United States, Canada and Australia. The studies of surname distribution has revealed that the Plonket last names are particularly prominent in Scotland, where the first records of the name were found.

In conclusion, the surname Plonket has many variants, spellings and related surnames of the same origin. Records of the surname date back to France in the 17th century and the name is still used today in many countries including Scotland, the United Kingdom, Canada, The United States and Australia.

Famous people with the name Plonket

• Kermit Plonket: Historian, author, and adjunct professor at Vanderbilt University
• Felix Plonket: French film actor best known for his role in The Tenant (1976)
• Terry "T-Bone" Plonket: American country blues guitarist and singer
• Danny Plonket: New Zealand stuntman and actor, known for his work on The Chronicles of Narnia (2005)
• George Plonket- Former football coach for the Kansas Gayhawks
• John Plonket: Business executive and philanthropist
• Claude Plonket: French tennis player, top 10 in all four Grand Slams in the mid-70s
• Gladys Plonket: British TV comedy writer, best known for her work on the sitcom Gavin and Stacey (2009-2013)
• Brad Plonket: Canadian musician and music producer
• Beth Plonket: Activist and advocate for LGBTQ rights

Other surnames

PlonkettPlonkitPlonkitt