Surname Pflug - Meaning and Origin
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Pflug: What does the surname Pflug mean?
The German last name Pflug is derived from the Medieval word 'pflege', which means care or protection. This might refer to the caretaker of livestock or the supervisor of field workers. In more general terms, it was likely assumed by someone who provided services or care to someone else. The name can also be associated with a plowman or farmer, as the surname itself translates as 'plowman'.
The earliest documented use of the Pflug family name dates back to 1373 in Baden-Württemberg. Its first known bearer was a Claes (alternatively spelled Klas) der Pflug, listed in the Libri Memarum of Baden. Later, it was recorded among the families of the Kißlinger, Bieber, Lachmann, and Nödlberger families in Stuttgart, also in Baden-Württemberg, later on.
In modern times, the Pflug family name continues to spread across the European continent, as well as in the United States, Australia, and other parts of the world. It is believed to have experienced a surge in popularity around the 1950s.
The Pflugs still carry the legacy of their ancestors –providing care to others and maintaining diligent work on the farm. Aspiring entrepreneurs carry the Pflug name too, lending dedication and hard work to modern enterprise. All in all, the meaning of the Pflug surname remains prominent to this day – that of a careful and diligent individual.
Order DNA origin analysisPflug: Where does the name Pflug come from?
The last name Pflug is most commonly found in Germany. It is one of the most widely distributed family names in the country and is particularly common in the western regions. Records suggest that the surname has been present in the region since the 16th century, however it can also be found in parts of Austria, Poland, and Switzerland.
The Pflug surname has also spread to the United States, where records of the name date back to the early 19th century when German immigrants settled in Pennsylvania. It is most commonly found in the mid-west and eastern regions, notably in the states of Michigan, Wisconsin, Ohio, and Pennsylvania.
Recent research also suggests that the last name Pflug is becoming increasingly popular in Australia, with more and more German-Australian households containing members with the name. The Pflug name also has a presence in other parts of the world such as the United Kingdom, Latvia, and even India, suggesting a growing international presence.
Variations of the surname Pflug
The Pflug surname has various spellings, variants and surnames of the same origin depending on the country and culture where it originates.
The German spelling of Pflug is most common, although it can also be spelled Pfleg, Pflege, Pfleuger, and Fleuger.
In Austria, Pfleg and Pflege are the most common spellings, along with Pfluager, Pfluker, Pffluger, and Pffluker.
In Switzerland, the spellings Pflogger, Plogg, Ploggelar, and Pfligler are commonly used.
In the French speaking regions of Switzerland, the spelling Pflegers is used.
In Ukraine, the surname is usually written as Pfluger, Pluhar, Pluharuk, and Pluhariv.
In the United States, the most common spellings are Pflug, Pfleg, Pflege, Pfluh, Pfluhger, Pfluke, and Fleuger.
In South Africa, the surname is commonly written as Plugg, Pluggs, Pluck, and Pluy.
In the Netherlands, if the name is Dutch, it would have a spelling that includes the double “L” like Pflull, Pfluller, Pfligler, Pflyl, Plife, Pfolios, or Fligel.
In Scandinavia, the surname Pflug can be spelled Pfulger, Pfulke, Pfluhger, Pfluke, and Fluger.
Finally, the common alternate spellings in the Czech Republic and Slovakia are Pflucker, Pflegar, and Pfleger.
No matter how the Pflug surname is spelled, it originally was derived from the Middle High German word “pflücke”, which means “pluck”, and was likely an occupational name for a professional plucker.
Famous people with the name Pflug
- Frederick Pflug (1827-1878), German-American politician
- Art Pflug (1926-2012), American Major League Baseball pitcher
- Honoré Pflüger (born 1956), French classical organist
- Paul Pflug (born 1964), American actor
- Jeff Pflug (born 1964), American racing driver
- Fritz Pflug (born 1969), German foosball player
- Peter Pflug (born 1974), Austrian composer
- Andreas Pflug (born 1975), German computer scientist
- Ica Pflug (born 1989), German beach volleyball player
- Jürgen Pflug (born 1988), German actor