Surname Plumke - Meaning and Origin
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Plumke: What does the surname Plumke mean?
The last name Plumke is an occupational surname originating in Germany. It is derived from words such as "Plettmeister" or "Ploemacher," both of which refer to a maker of plums, or a dealer that had specialized in the sale and prep of the fruit. The prefix "pluem" is German for "plum," and the suffix "-ke" is a variation of the familiar "-er," which denotes someone who works in a field or tradesman.
Variations of the surname were likely adopted to better reflect the region and accent of the person from which it came. The earliest known individuals with a variation of the last name are found in the former Prussian city of Köslin, located in former western Pomerania. The earliest recorded date for the name Plumke is 1627, where it appears in the tax journal of the city.
Plumke has also been documented as a topographic surname, which means that it was used to describe someone who lived or worked near a body of water with an abundance of plums. Records of the last name can also be found in the Netherlands, Denmark, and even in the United States.
Overall, The last name Plumke is a reflection of the family’s profession in the fruit industry and reflects their likely specialized knowledge of plums specifically.
Order DNA origin analysisPlumke: Where does the name Plumke come from?
The last name Plumke is common in parts of present-day Germany, especially in the regions around the towns of Braunschweig, Lüneburg, and Wolfenbüttel in Lower Saxony. This area had many towns and cities during the Middle Ages, and many of these areas have documents and records that list people with the Plumke surname.
The name is also present in the Netherlands, where it is spelled Plumki or Plompki. It's not very common in the United States; the surnames database at the U.S. Census Bureau only has a few listings of the surname.
Genealogists tracing their ancestry have uncovered many details of the Plumke lineage. The first recorded instances of the name date back to the 1500s. It is generally thought that the name originated in the small towns and villages of the Holy Roman Empire, which included Germany, the Netherlands, Portugal, and parts of Austria.
The exact origin of the Plumke surname is unknown; however, some suggest that it is derived from a nickname, such as a person termed as "plump" (meaning "strong"). Others maintain that it is derived from a location like the small village of Plumpen, or Paloma, a village in eastern Hungary. It could also be an abbreviated version of a longer German name, such as Plumberger.
Ultimately, the origins of the Plumke name remain a mystery. However, it is certain that the name is common in Germany, the Netherlands, and other parts of Europe, although it is not very common in the United States.
Variations of the surname Plumke
The surname Plumke is derived from the Old German word 'plump' meaning “fat”, “plump”, or “small”. As a result, there are several variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. The most common variants of Plumke include those starting with Plomke, Plompke, Plump, Plumpke, and Plunk.
In some cases, the surname Plomke may seen spelled with a V instead of an M, as in Vlumke, or with a double M, as in Plommke. Likewise, it may also be spelled with a U instead of an O, as in Ulvumke or Uhlumke.
In terms of surnames of the same origin, there are many. The most common are Plumke, Plommeke, Plume, Plumpke, Plümke, Plümpke, Plunk, Plonk, Plonke, Pflump, Pflumke, Polumke, and Polemke.
Additionally, it can be found as Rollumke, Rolke, Rölke, Rülke, Rolges, Rollkes, Rollings, Rollbergr, Plukkr, Plack, Pleck, Fleck, Flecke, Flack, Flück, and Plöcklein. These are all derived from the same root.
Notably, the Plumke surname may also be encountered with a prefix, which indicates the place of origin. Examples include Oldenplumke, Ellernplumke, Laarplumke, Quetzenplumke, and Hilgenplumke.
In conclusion, the surname Plumke has many variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. It is important to research all variations and spellings in order to trace ancestry and establish a family history.
Famous people with the name Plumke
- David Plumbke: German professional football player and coach.
- Edward Plumbke: 19th century Prussian military officer and merchant.
- Christian Plumbke: German artist and engraver.
- Johann Plumbke: 19th century German architect.
- Gottfried Plumbke: German theologian and philosopher.
- Karl Plumbke: German astronomer and physicist.
- Wilhelm Plumbke: German zoologist and ornithologist.
- Franz Plumbke: 19th century German composer.
- Johann Heinrich Plumbke: 17th century German theologian.
- August Plumbke: German politician and journalist.