Surname Planta - Meaning and Origin
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Planta: What does the surname Planta mean?
Planta is a historical surname with roots in both Latin and Old High German. In Latin, "planta" translates to plant or sprout, potentially indicating an individual's association with farming or plant cultivation. The Old High German variation, "plante," also refers to a plant but can also signify a settlement or place, suggesting an ancestral connection to a particular location. It also could be linked to the word "Plantagenet," a dynasty that ruled England in the Middle Ages. However, its specific meaning may vary based on regional and cultural contexts. Like many surnames, Planta is likely to be associated with particular sociohistorical contexts including occupation, location, or lineage, among other factors. It is quite prevalent in regions such as Switzerland, Italy, and Germany.
Order DNA origin analysisPlanta: Where does the name Planta come from?
The last name Planta is commonly found today in Italy, Spain, Switzerland, and Austria. It is believed to have originated during the Middle Ages in those countries. The name is thought to have been derived from the Latin word plantare, meaning "to plant," presumably referring to those who worked as farmers.
In modern times, the Planta name appears most prominently in Italy and Spain, where in 2018 the surname was ranked the 5,551st most common. In Italy, the family name is especially popular in the Lombardy region in the north of the country, as well as the autonomous region of Sicily. In Spain, it is most commonly found in the central East and northeast of the country, as well as in the Valencian Community and Canary Islands.
Though less frequent than its Italian and Spanish counterparts, the name also appears in Switzerland and Austria. In Switzerland, the Planta surname is most commonly found in the canton of Ticino and in the Grisons region. In Austria, the Planta family name is concentrated in the states of Vorarlberg, Tyrol, Lower Austria, and Vienna.
Historically, members of the Planta family were known for being farmers, but many have since gone on to become successful in other fields such as business, science, and the arts. Today, the Planta name can be found in many different countries, continuing to be used by families across generations.
Variations of the surname Planta
The surname Planta is a habitational name, derived from places called Planta found in England, Austria, and Germany. The surnames Plant, Plante, Planty, and Plantey are all variants of Planta.
The spelling of Planta in England is Plant. It originated from a village by this name in Lancashire, and is one of the oldest variants of the name. The Plant family were recorded here as early as the 13th century. Plant is most common in north-west and south-west England.
In Austria the variant Plante is derived from a town in Kärnten, as is the spelling Plantey. Plantey is an anglicised spelling of Plante and is also found mainly in Austria.
Planty is another anglicised form of the surname and variant of Plante found in France.
The surname Planta can also be found in Germany, where it is an occupational name derived from the Middle High German blanter, meaning "planter". This anglicised spelling, which some families may still bear, is Plant.
Famous people with the name Planta
- Colonel Robert Planta: A British clerk and author known for his work in heraldry and genealogy.
- Bruno Planta: a Swiss politician who served as a cantonal parliament member, government counselor, and President of the Cantonal Council of Zurich.
- Andreas Planta: a German sculptor and medalist, who was appointed to the position of Royal Danish Court Sculptor in 1808.
- Gloria Planta: An Italian actress, who appeared in the film series “Don Camillo” in the 1960s.
- Enrique Planta: A Cuban wrestler, who represented Cuba at the 1952 Summer Olympics.
- Michael Planta: An Austrian television presenter and journalist.
- Jan Planta: A Czech-born British painter who specialized in creating fantasy etchings and portraits.
- Guido Planta: A Swiss lawyer and politician, who served as a member of the Swiss Federal Council from 1891 to 1910.
- Giacinto Planta: An Italian botanist known for his studies of Pacific flora in the late 18th and early 19th centuries.
- Amalia Planta: A Spanish Sister of Charity, who served as Superior General of the Congregation of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart in the 20th century.