Surname Plants - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'P'
Plants: What does the surname Plants mean?
The last name Plants is of English origin and is primarily considered an occupational surname, referring to someone who worked with plants in some way such as a gardener, herbalist, or a plant breeder. Occupational surnames were commonly given based on a person's job or trade in medieval times. The surname Plants can also be a geographical or topographic name, given to someone who lived near a notable plant or garden. Any significant plant in a town, such as a notable apple tree or distinctive bush, can give rise to a corresponding surname. It can also suggest a person who is symbolic of growth and generation, given the natural associations of plants. It's worth noting that the spelling of surnames was not standardized until recent centuries, meaning it could vary significantly in historical records.
Order DNA origin analysisPlants: Where does the name Plants come from?
The last name Plants is most commonly found today in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Europe, and Australia. It is particularly prevalent in the United States, where it is the 3,190th most common surname, according to the 2020 United States Census. It is also found in the United Kingdom, where it is the 21,733rd most popular family name.
In the United States, the last name Plants is often associated with those of Germanic origin, as it is derived from the Old Germanic personal name “Plant”. It is believed to have emerged in the region of Saxony, located in modern-day Germany. It later spread to other parts of Europe and eventually to United States, Canada, and other countries in the world.
In Scotland, the surname Plants first appeared in records in the form of Plantce, which dates back to the late 14th century. Some notable people bearing the name Plants include Herman Willet Plants, a prominent 1900s American inventor, and Alonzo Plants, a Canadian businessman and entrepreneur.
The last name Plants is thought to have originated from the Medieval Latin term “planta,” a common nickname for a servant sometimes given after the nickname "planta," which was derived from "plantere," meaning "to plant." While the name is now associated mostly with those of Germanic origin, it has come to be adopted by people of all origins.
Variations of the surname Plants
The surname Plants, also known as Plant, Plantz, Plantes, Plantessey, Plantsby, Plantt, Plantesdaugh and Plantey, has a variety of variants and spellings. Plantesdaugh and Plantessey both are primarily Scottish in origin, suggesting that the name originated in Scotland. Plantt and Plantz, on the other hand, appear to be an English and American variation of the name. Plantsby is recorded in England since early medieval times and is derived from an Anglo-Saxon word meaning ‘one who lives by a field of plants’. Plantey also has roots in England, thought to come from the Old English word ‘planta', which means ‘flower’.
Plant is the most common spelling in the United Kingdom, while Plantes is mostly found in the United States and Canada. Plantes is derived from the French word ‘plante', which translates to ‘planted’ - potentially referring to a metaphorical planting, such as a planting or colonization of a community or area.
In conclusion, the surname Plants has many variants and spellings, all of which have their own unique origin. Whether referring to an Anglo-Saxon field of plants or a French community of settlers, each variation of the name reflects a unique story of the family’s history.
Famous people with the name Plants
- Jodie Plants: She is an American actress, writer, and director best known for her roles in the television series The Lizzie Bennet Diaries, Dimension 404, and The Cosmopolitans.
- Job Plants: He is a Dutch farmer and animal rights activist who is known for his farm Sanctuary Jorplace.
- Tom Plants: He is a British actor who is best known for his roles in the television shows, Doctor Who and the BBC remake of Poldark.
- Richard Plants: He is an American physics professor from Princeton University who is best known for his research in gravitational wave science.
- Harry Plants: He is an American musician who is a member of the rock band Bring Me the Horizon.
- Florence Plants: She is an English sculptor best known for her abstract sculptures that use plant forms to explore themes of nature, feminism, and motherhood.
- Don Plants: He is an American country music singer and songwriter known for hits such as "My Love Will Follow You," "Back on the Farm," and "Who's Gonna Love Me."
- Joanna Plants: She is an English author and illustrator best known for her children's books about plant life including "The Life Cycle of a Plant."
- Bernard Plants: He is an English horticulturist and garden designer who created the 15th century Gardens of Versailles.
- Marisa Plants: She is an American actress best known for starring in ABC’s drama “The Catch.”