Surname Plumtree - Meaning and Origin
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Plumtree: What does the surname Plumtree mean?
The surname Plumtree is a topographical name derived from the Olde English ‘plume’ meaning a (fruit-) tree with plum-flowers or fruit. The name was likely first used to describe one who lived near a plum tree.
The Plumtree surname is found predominantly in the area of East Anglia, England. It is also found in Scotland, which indicates that it may have been spread into Scotland by migration from England.
In some cases, the surname can be an Anglicized form of the German name ‘Blaumer’, which is derived from the Old German ‘bloma’ or 'Plume' meaning flower or petal.
The Plumtree surname appears in documents from as far back as the 13th century. The earliest record is that of Cristina Plumtre, who was listed in the Feet of Fines (court documents) for Warwick in 1233.
The name Plumtree stands for a connection with nature and continuity through the generations. It can also symbolize strength, resilience and abundance due to the rigors of living close to nature and cultivating a bountiful harvest of plum trees. The ancestor who took his name from the plum tree is likely to have endured much difficulty over the years but still managed to survive and flourish to leave behind his legacy in the form of the Plumtree family.
Order DNA origin analysisPlumtree: Where does the name Plumtree come from?
The last name Plumtree is most commonly seen today in the United Kingdom. Several thousand people who are descended from the original Plumtree families are living across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland today.
The Plumtree surname can be traced back hundreds of years in England, to a manor house near Alnwick in Northumberland, in which the name first appeared in 1393. However, the actual lineage of the original Plumtree family is unknown.
The Plumtree name has a varied origin, potentially being related to the trade of plum trees, a type of tree common in England. In addition, the surname could be referring to a place where a large amount of plum trees grew, or it could be derived from an occupational surname meaning ‘orchard keeper’. Alternatively, other sources suggest that the name was an old English nickname or descriptive term, referring to someone with a plum-coloured nature.
Today, as Plumtree families spread across Britain, there are many descendants living in other countries such as Canada, the United States, Australia, and New Zealand. Furthermore, lines of descent from the original Plumtree families can be found across Europe, as well as parts of Asia and South America.
Variations of the surname Plumtree
The surname Plumtree has numerous variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. These include Plumtre, Plomtree, Plumtrie, Pumtree, Pluemter, Plompeter, Pumtrie, Plompter, Plametre, Pluemtre, Plauntree, Plamenter, Plomptre, Plomettre, Plaimtree, and Plampeter. Many of these variants originated as variants of Plompton, the name of several places in England, including Plumpton in the West Riding of Yorkshire.
Plompton came from the Old English plēme (“plum tree”, “orchard”) and tūn (“enclosure”, “settlement”) and first appears in records in 1198 as Plumton. The earliest known to be surnamed Plumtree was John Plumtre of Cumberland in 1290. As surnames began to proliferate throughout England, many of the Plumtre and Plumtrie variations emerged. It’s likely that multiple families used the same spelling but were actually related to each other, so the surnames were interchangeable at that time.
In the Middle Ages, the Plumtree surname was also used to denote someone who lived near a plum orchard or who worked in such an orchard. Many surnames of this type were recorded in English church registers from the 16th century onwards. These names include Plumfit, Plumflett, Plumpert, Plammer, and Plampin.
The surname Plumtree has also spread to other parts of Europe, including Germany, France, Hungary, and the Czech Republic. In some cases, the spelling of the surname has been altered. Variations such as Plümert, Pemptree, and Plümpeyt are found in Germany, while Plumier is found in France. The Plumtree surname is found across the United States, as well.
Overall, the surname Plumtree has numerous variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. Many of these variations are associated with plum orchards, while others have been changed through the years by immigrants in search of new opportunities.
Famous people with the name Plumtree
- Dan Plumtree: Former professional rugby league player for the Balmain Tigers and the Wests Tigers.
- Sean Plumtree: Professional boxer from Australia.
- Mary Plumtree: British author, illustrator, and television presenter.
- Howard Plumtree: American surgeon and medical doctor.
- Paul Plumtree: British retired professional soccer player.
- Fred Plumtree: Former professional soccer player for Arsenal of the English Premier League.
- Bill Plumtree: American former National Football League (NFL) offensive tackle and defensive end.
- Elsie Plumtree: English actor, director, and playwright.
- Joseph Plumtree: English actor, best known for his performance in the British TV series, Grange Hill.
- Joe Plumtree: English musician and composer, active in the 1970s and 1980s.