Surname Pflaum - Meaning and Origin
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Pflaum: What does the surname Pflaum mean?
Pflaum is a German surname that is derived from the Middle High German phrase pflaume. It literally translates to mean "plum," perhaps indicating that an ancestor of the family had previously worked or been associated with the fruit. However, the name could also have a more metaphorical meaning, referring to a person who was sweet, gentle, or kind.
Historically, people with the Pflaum surname were mostly found living in Bavaria, a southern German state, although there are also records showing that the surname extended to other parts of Germany as well.
In the United States, the surname Pflaum is most commonly found in Wisconsin, a state which saw a great influx of German immigrants in the 19th century. The majority of Pflaum families in the US today are descended from these immigrants, who brought with them German culture, traditions, and surnames such as Pflaum.
The surname Pflaum has been found all over the world. Although it is especially prevalent in Germany and the United States, its roots go beyond these two countries. Whatever its origin, the surname certainly speaks to the rich history and culture of Germany and its people, providing a fascinating insight into the past.
Order DNA origin analysisPflaum: Where does the name Pflaum come from?
The last name Pflaum is common mainly in Germany and Austria today. The name was first recorded in Austria as early as 1251 when a knight by the name of Gottfried von Pflaumen was recorded in the Austria-Ruthenian archives. It is then believed to have emanated from Bohemia, where the family name first emerged in medieval times.
A great number of Pflaum families emigrated from Central Europe in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Many of them moved to Canada, the United States, Australia, and New Zealand. This was mainly due to increasing economic difficulties, widespread famine, religious persecution, and improved opportunities in the new countries.
Today, the last name Pflaum has spread across the globe and is generally found in Germany, Austria, the United States, and Canada, as well as in many other countries. In terms of population, the United States and Canada have the greatest number of Pflaum families, but there are now many other countries in which the name is found.
In the United States, for example, it is most common in Wisconsin, Nebraska, Minnesota, and Iowa. This is largely due to the fact that many immigrants from Germany and Austria settled in the Midwest in the 19th and 20th centuries, and this is where their descendants continue to live. The same is true of Canada, where it is most common in Ontario, Alberta, British Columbia, and Quebec.
The name Pflaum is still found in its original Central European countries, too, especially in Germany and Austria. It is also quite common in the Czech Republic, Poland, and Slovakia, due to their close history and frequent immigration.
Variations of the surname Pflaum
The surname Pflaum is believed to have its origin in German-speaking parts of Europe, and numerous variants and spellings can be found throughout the continent. The most common variants of the name are Pfalz, Pfleum, Pflaumer, Pflume, Pfalme, and Pfeilm. The origin of the name suggests that it is derived from the German word ‘pfau’, meaning peacock. The crest of the Pflaum family itself was typically a peacock with an erect tail.
Overseas, the variant Pfalz can be found primarily in the United States, in particular in Indiana, Pennsylvania, and Ohio, and is a common surname amongst European immigrants who fled during World War II. Pfleum is a variant found mainly in the former East Germany, although it can also be found across the continent. In England, the variants Pflaumer and Pfalme are more common.
Pflume and Pfeilm are variants that can be found across Germany and Switzerland. Finally, the variant Pfalzm can be found primarily in Canada, and is thought to be a combination of the surname Pflaum and Falz, a variant of the original German form.
In all, there are numerous variants and spellings of the surname Pflaum, and depending on where it is found, different spellings and variations could be found. Ultimately, though, they are all derived from a common origin in German-speaking Europe.
Famous people with the name Pflaum
- Kevin Pflaum: a German table tennis player
- Mark Pflaum: an American writer, storyteller, speaker, and radio personality
- Kenneth J. Pflaum: a Materials Research Engineer and Thermo Physicist
- John Pflaum: an American film editor and director
- Thomas J. Pflaum: an American educator and author
- Franz Pflaum: a German political theorist and economist
- Craig Pflaum: an American theater director and writer
- Andrea Kontomitras Pflaum: an American poet and children's author
- Sandro Pflaum: an American entrepreneur and CEO
- Thorsten Pflaum: a German entrepreneur, investor, and philanthropist