Surname Pflugmacher - Meaning and Origin
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Pflugmacher: What does the surname Pflugmacher mean?
The last name Pflugmacher is a very old German surname that can be translated to mean ‘plough maker’ in English. In Germany, where the name originated, it is believed to have been an occupational surname, indicating that a person was a skilled craftsman in the construction of ploughs and other tools used in farming.
Many variations of the name exist, with other spellings including Pflugmacher, Pfumacher, and Pfümacher. Other similar-sounding variations of the name may include Fleugmacher, Pluemacher, and Plugmacher.
It is believed that the surname may have developed from a pre-existing first name originating in Germanic tribes, around the 5th century AD. The name, meaning ‘plough maker’, indicated a person who had a specialised skillset in architecture and engineering.
The name is not a common one, but it can be found recorded in records dating back to the 16th century in Germany. It has since spread across other countries, particularly in Europe and North America, and is believed to still hold the meaning of ‘plough maker’ or ‘blacksmith’ in some regions.
Order DNA origin analysisPflugmacher: Where does the name Pflugmacher come from?
The last name Pflugmacher is most commonly found today in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. In Germany, it is most heavily concentrated in the southwestern and central areas near the Black Forest and in some Alpine regions. It is also found in rural parts of Belgium and Eastern Europe.
According to the German newspaper Bild, Pflugmacher is the 207th most common surname in Germany. The source further notes that the name is derived from words for "plough maker" suggesting it was a long-time occupational surname.
In Austria, Pflugmacher is more heavily concentrated around the Danube region, especially Klosterneuburg and Vienna, but can also be found in other areas of the country.
It is less common in Southern Germany, but still widely found in the Alpine regions and parts of Northern Italy. In Switzerland, the name is more common near Basel in the northern part of the country, and also near Zürich.
The last name is less common in the United States, but there is a population of immigrants who settled in Pennsylvania and other parts in the late 1800s and early 1900s, giving root to further migrations to other states like New York, Illinois and California.
As a whole, Pflugmacher might be less common than in its originating countries, but it is still scattered throughout the world.
Variations of the surname Pflugmacher
Pflugmacher is an occupational surname found most commonly in Germany. It is a metonymic name deriving from the Middle High German plūch 'plow' + machære 'maker', referring to someone who made plows. Variations and spellings of Pflugmacher include:
- Pflügmacher
- Pflegmacher
- Fleugmacher
- Fleugmaker
- Pflegmaker
- Pfugmaker
- Ploonmaker
- PlaneMaker
- Planemaker
These surnames are also connected to the similar German name Flügge, a metonymic name derived from Middle High German and meaning 'one who flies'. Variants and spellings of Flügge include:
- Flugge
- Fleugge
- Fluigge
- Fleugg
- Fugger
- Fleuger
- Pfugger
- Flicher
The English translations of both surnames are more typically seen in the United States. Pflugmacher became Ploughmaker, Fleugmaker became Flymaker, Pflegmacher became Forgekeeper, and Fleuger became Flicker. All of these surnames indicate an ancestor who worked with plows or forges.
Famous people with the name Pflugmacher
- Mary Elizabeth Pflugmacher– Fashion Designer and Illustrator from New York
- Ralf Pflugmacher– German Actor
- Max Pflugmacher– German Entrepreneur
- Wilhelm Pflugmacher– American Photographer
- Paul Pflugmacher– German Orthopedic Surgeon
- Ernst Pflugmacher– German Composer and Organist
- Christian Pflugmacher– German Computer Scientist
- Wilhelm Pflugmacher– German Engineer and Educator
- Robert Pflugmacher– German Philosopher
- Erich Pflugmacher– Russian/German Activist and Organizational Adviser