Surname Plotkin - Meaning and Origin
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Plotkin: What does the surname Plotkin mean?
The surname Plotkin is of Ashkenazic Jewish origin, derived from the Yiddish name for a plump bird or chick, 'Plotke'. The '-kin' suffix suggests a diminutive or endearing form, implying ‘little plump bird’. It is possibly used to symbolize peace and harmony, characteristic of a dove, or it could be a metaphor for a prosperous or well-fed person. Like many Jewish surnames, it can also be ornamental, adopted when laws in Eastern Europe required Jews to adopt permanent surnames for taxation and census purposes. The ornamental surnames were often derived from various elements of nature, animals, or characteristic traits. As with most surnames, different theories of origin may apply to different families bearing the same surname. The name Plotkin is mainly found in Russia and Eastern European Jewish diaspora communities. It is important to note that connotations and meanings of names can vary across cultures, regions, and time periods, as language and context continually evolve.
Order DNA origin analysisPlotkin: Where does the name Plotkin come from?
The last name Plotkin is most commonly found in countries with a high Jewish population, particularly in Israel, Ukraine, and the United States. In the US, Plotkin is most concentrated in the states of California, New York, and Pennsylvania.
In Israel, the surname is quite popular, especially in the northern parts of the country. Plotkin is most frequently found in Tel Aviv, Haifa, and Jerusalem. In Wroclaw, Poland, it is also a very popular last name.
While the name is widely seen in many areas of the world, exact numbers of individuals with the last name Plotkin are not known with certainty. A study conducted by Israel's Central Bureau of Statistics in 2015 estimated that an estimated 19,057 people had the surname in Israel. This is roughly 1.5% of the total population.
In the US, the name Plotkin is found in all states, but it is most commonly seen in New York, Pennsylvania, and California. Data from both Ancestry.com and Geni.com show an estimated 21,000 Americans with the last name.
Plotkin is an uncommon but widely spread surname. While exact numbers are hard to come by, it's clear that individuals bearing the last name live the United States, Europe, and Israel.
Variations of the surname Plotkin
Plotkin is derived from a Jewish surname originating in Poland and Russia. It is a variant of the name Plotnick, which is believed to be derived from a Slavic word meaning "brave man". The spelling of Plotkin is also variously seen as Plotnik, Plotnick, Plotnikova, Plotnickova, Plotnikov, Plotnickow, Plotnikow, Plotnikoff, Plotnikoff, and Plotnikof.
The base form of this surname has been used in various geographical locations and has been adapted over time in order to preserve cultural linguistic traditions. Common recognized spellings include Plotkin, Plotnik, Plotnick, Plotkinov, Plotnikov and Plotnikoff.
Plotkin is a popular surname among Russian Jews and Ashkenazi Jews. It is also common among the Belarusian Jewish population. Variations on the name can also be found in other Jewish diaspora countries, including the United States and Israel.
In the United States, some spellings of the Plotkin surname have become assimilated into American culture, such as the name Plotkin appearing in the 1993 John Grisham novel The Firm. Other derivatives such as Plotnik, Plotnikoff and Plotnikova, as well as “ Plotkina” are also found in the United States.
The Plotkin surname is very common among Ashkenazi Jews, however it is not exclusive to them. Individuals who have adopted the Plotkin surname under the influence of otherennon-Jewish populations include various Polish, Russian and Ukrainian families unrelated to the Jewish Plotkins.
In the United States, many of those bearing the Plotkin name are of Eastern European Jewish heritage. In Israel, those bearing the Plotkin surname are also likely descended from Eastern European Jews, although some may have adopted the name after they arrived in the country.
Overall, Plotkin is a common Jewish surname used in a variety of geographical locations with a wide variety of spelling variations and derivatives.
Famous people with the name Plotkin
- Stuart Plotkin: an American businessman and philanthropist.
- Yuri Plotkin: a Russian weightlifter.
- David Plotkin: a British artist and printmaker.
- Mark Plotkin: an American author and expert on Amazonian cultures.
- Leon Plotkin: a Canadian Nashville songwriter.
- Josh Plotkin: an American director and producer.
- Martin Plotkin: an American politician and former state representative.
- Andy Plotkin: an American computer game designer.
- Jonah Plotkin: an American playwright.
- Jill Plotkin: an American actress.
- Ilana Plotkin: an American artist, illustrator, and entrepreneur.
- Rachael Plotkin: an American educational psychologist.
- Kelly Plotkin: an American singer and songwriter.
- Lea Plotkin: an Israeli chef and author.
- Tzvi Plotkin: an Israeli dance choreographer and performer.
- Amos Plotkin: an Israeli musician and composer.
- Laszlo Plotkin: a Hungarian-American scientist and entrepreneur.
- Danny Plotkin: an American chef and restaurateur.
- Sharon Plotkin: an American textile artist and educator.
- Kevin Plotkin: an American entrepreneur and real estate investor.