Surname Plummer - Meaning and Origin

Embracing My Roots: How iGENEA DNA Test Unearthed the Plummer Family Heritage

The results of my iGENEA DNA test have transformed my understanding of the Plummer family identity, unveiling a fascinating mix of Northern and Western European roots and connections to Sephardic Jewish ancestry. This genetic exploration has not only enriched my understanding of my own identity but also provided a deeper appreciation of the wider human story.

J. Plummer

Plummer: What does the surname Plummer mean?

The last name Plummer is of English origin and is an occupational surname, derived from the occupation of the first person who took on the name. Plummer, which can also be spelled as Plumer, Plumber, Plommere or other variations, is derived from the Old French term "plumier," meaning a worker in lead. More specifically, in medieval times, a plummer referred to someone who worked as a plumber, responsible for installing and repairing water systems, often using lead pipes, or a worker who dealt in lead products. The surname would have been originally assigned to someone who held either of these occupations, and then it would have been passed down to their descendants. It first appeared on public record in the early 13th century in England. Notable people bearing this surname include actor Christopher Plummer and writer Todd Plummer.

Plummer: Where does the name Plummer come from?

The surname Plummer is most commonly found in parts of the United States and across the British Isles. In the United States, Plummer is especially common in areas with early Puritan settler history, such as Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Maine. There are also pockets of the name Plummer in Texas, Illinois, Pennsylvania, and Florida.

In terms of the British Isles, Plummer is most commonly found in Ireland and England. Those with the surname Plummer in Ireland are typically of English descent, especially in basket counties like Dublin, Wicklow, Kilkenny and Wexford. In England, Plummer can be found across the south of the country, with frequents occurrences in Berkshire, Devon, and Somerset.

The Plummer surname can also be found in countries around the world, including Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Canada, and France. The name is believed to have spread across the world during waves of migration, with records suggesting it may even have been brought to America by the Pilgrim settlers in the 17th Century.

In terms of cultural impact, the surname Plummer can be found in historic registered, literature, and television programs - particularly in British media, where it is often used as a character name. Today, the surname remains a popular choice throughout the world.

Variations of the surname Plummer

The surname Plummer has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. The most common variant of the Plummer surname is Plumacher, as well as Plummaher, Plumier, Plumer, Pluncker, and Plunkett.

Variations on the spelling of Plummer include Plummery, Plummeries, Plumm, Plommer, Plummed, Plumridge, Plommers, Plencker, Plumbre, Plummeridge, Plummrie, and Plummerse.

Other surnames of the same origin include Pumer, Pliumer, Plwmer, Pliemmer, Plimpler, Plumers, Ploumer, and Plowmer.

In Germany, the name Plummer is spelled Plumer, and its variants are Pfanz, Pfantz, Pflanz, Pflummer, and Pflemmer.

In England, variants are Plommer, Plommery, Plommere, Plomery, Plumme, Plummery, Plumridige, Plumspie, Plumsies, Plumsier, Plumpers, Plompers, and Plomboers.

In the United States, the variant spellings of Plummer include Plumly, Plowmyre, and Plumour.

Surnames derived from the Plummer surname include Plammer, Plummer, Plamper, Plamford, Plumas, Plumeri, Plumely, Plump, Plumpkin, Plumoot, Plumsen, Plumperson, and Plumbar.

The surname Plummer is mostly Germanic and of Anglo-Saxon origin, and its meaning is derived from the Old English words pluma and plThme, meaning "black plum".

Famous people with the name Plummer

• Christopher Plummer: Canadian-American actor best known for his portrayal of Captain Georg von Trapp in The Sound of Music and Max von Sydow in The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.
• Amy Plummer: American actress and dancer best known for her performance in 12 Years a Slave, and her starring role in the television series In the Flesh.
• David Plummer: American competitive swimmer and Olympic gold medalist who won three medals at the 2012 Summer Olympics.
• Michael Plummer: American baseball player who played for the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2007.
• John Plummer: English physicist and educator who developed the diffraction grating.
• Tom Plummer: English musician and singer best known for his work with The Hollies.
• Vinny Plummer: American professional basketballer who played 13 seasons in the NBA.
• William Plummer: former lawyer and union officer, and one of the original members of the Knights of Labor.
• Art Plummer: American auto racer who competed in NASCAR's Winston Cup Series.
• Eric Plummer: Canadian soldier who was awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions in World War I.

Other surnames

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