Surname Plaum - Meaning and Origin
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Plaum: What does the surname Plaum mean?
The last name Plaum is of German origin, meaning “flower” or “plume of a bird.” It is thought to have originated as an occupational name, as people with this surname were likely to have been engaged in agricultural professions related to flower-growing or bird-hunting.
In the Middle Ages, it was common for surnames to indicate a person’s occupation. It’s possible, then, that people with the last name Plaum originally worked as florists or ornithologists. It’s also possible that people with this last name could have played a more symbolic role in the community, such as church or government officials, given that this name is related to such noble symbols as flowers and birds.
Despite the German origin, the surname Plaum is found all over the world. In the United States, it is most common in Pennsylvania. The name also appears in records in Germany, Austria, Czech Republic, and elsewhere in Europe.
Today, Plaum is still used as a surname, although it’s more likely to be found among descendants of immigrants who carried the name to their new homes. Those who carry this name may not even be aware of the significance it holds in terms of its history and meaning. Regardless, the last name Plaum retains a strong international presence and will likely continue to do so for generations to come.
Order DNA origin analysisPlaum: Where does the name Plaum come from?
The last name Plaum is most commonly found today in Germany. It is one of the most frequent surnames in the country. The name is derived from the old German word "Plaum" meaning "grain". This name originated as an occupational surname, as people with the Plaum last name were typically grain farmers or merchants in the Middle Ages.
Today, the Plaum surname is most heavily concentrated in the southern region of Germany, around the cities of Stuttgart, Munich, Frankfurt and Berlin. Smaller percentages of the population can be found in other regions of the country such as North Rhine-Westphalia and Bavaria. The Plaum name can also be found in countries that used to be part of the German Empire such as Austria, Hungary and Romania.
Outside of Germany, the Plaum surname can be found in the United States, including cities such as New York, Chicago and Los Angeles. The last name is also found in Canada, although it is not as common. There are also smaller pockets of the Plaum surname in Argentina, the United Kingdom and other areas of the world.
Variations of the surname Plaum
Plaum is a surname with German and Jewish origins. The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin include Plum, Plume, Pluem, Plueme, Pleum, Pleume, Pleumeaux and Plaumeux. This variation of the surname is believed to be derived from the French word “plume”, meaning feather.
The German version of the surname, Plum, was originally given to a family who lived in an area known as Plumea. This area was located near Offenbach in Germany. In the Middle Ages, those who used this surname often made their living as tailors or fur makers. The name is thought to have come from the profession of those who lived and worked in the area.
The Jewish version of the surname can be traced back to the 12th century in Germany and Poland. This variation of the surname may have been derived from the Hebrew term for “plum”, which refers to a tree or fruit.
The Dutch version of the surname, Pluem, is believed to have been used by immigrants from the Netherlands. This variation of the surname is associated with the Middle Dutch word “plume”, which means “feather” or “down”. It is possible that those who used this surname originally worked as feather dealers or makers of feather cushions.
The French variation of the surname is Pleum, Pleume, Pleumeaux or Plaumeux and it is believed to be derived from the Old French word “plume”, meaning feather. This variant of the surname was originally used by French-speaking families who lived in and around the Ile de France area.
In North America, the surname may also be spelled Plom, Plam, Plim and Plaim. This variation of the surname is believed to be derived from the English spelling of the name.
Overall, it is likely that the surname Plaum stems from the Middle German word “plume” meaning feather. The surname has a variety of variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin, which include Plum, Plume, Pluem, Plueme, Pleum, Pleume, Pleumeaux and Plaumeux.
Famous people with the name Plaum
- Alexander Plaum: German actor who has appeared in the television series "Infected"
- Ingo Plaum: German windsurfer and sailing instructor
- Marcus Plaum: German author, travel blogger, and entrepreneur
- Tim Plaum: German architect and urban design expert
- Carola Plaum: German journalist who is the founder of the cultural magazine "Schön!"
- Flo Plaum: German musician and producer
- Armin Plaum: German sociologist and founder of the Plaum Institute
- Johann Andreas Plaum: German landscape painter
- Klaudia Plaum: German fashion designer
- Werner Plaum: German modern pentathlete and former Olympian