Surname Plattfus - Meaning and Origin
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Plattfus: What does the surname Plattfus mean?
The last name Plattfus is an occupational name of German origin. It is a combination of the words “platt” and “fuss” which mean flat foot in English. The name implies that the person it belongs to was a shoemaker or cobblers that specialised in making flatter, more comfortable shoes.
The Plattfus name can be found in records as far back as the late 14th century when shoemakers were an incredibly important part of the economy in most countries. As the industry grew, old fashioned cobblers were responsible for making the shoes by hand, which included flattening the soles of the shoes to make them more comfortable for the wearer. The Plattfus shoemakers were known to create the most comfortable, long lasting shoes – masterpieces that could be worn by royalty and commoners alike.
Today, the Plattfus name is still associated with shoe making and craftsmanship. In modern terms, the Plattfus name could represent someone who has a knack for creating comfortable, long-lasting shoes. Those with the last name are typically remembered for their attention to detail and skill in the craft of making high quality shoes.
Order DNA origin analysisPlattfus: Where does the name Plattfus come from?
The last name Plattfus is most commonly found in Germany today. In Germany, the name is primarily found in the surrounding regions of Hesse, Thuringia, and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. The name is also quite popular in the United States, Canada, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and Australia.
The origin of the name Plattfus is German and derived from the Middle High German platt meaning “flat.” The surname is likely a locational name, referring to someone who lived near a flat field, marsh, or other area of low-lying land.
In Germany, the name can be found since at least the 1500s, when records show that a man named John Plattfus was recorded as living in Zeulin, Hesse in 1515. The name then spread across Europe during the 1600s and 1700s and gained a foothold in North America in the 1800s.
Since this time, Plattfus has become a fairly common last name in countries where German has had a significant influence, including Germany, the United States, Canada, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Today it is estimated that there are around 7,100 individuals bearing the Plattfus surname worldwide.
Variations of the surname Plattfus
The surname Plattfus has a variety of variations, spellings and surnames of the same origin. Some of the more common variations of this surname are Plattfuß, Plattfuss, Plattkus, Platkus, Plattkus, Plattfues and Plattfuss.
The reason for the varied spellings of this surname is the phonetic nature of the German language, as well as various translation issues from Germany to other countries. In other words, spelling standards have not been consistent across the centuries.
The surname Plattfus is believed to have originated in the former East Prussia in northern Germany and is probably of Slavic origin. It is a compound surname of the Slavic word "platt" for a field and "fuss" meaning "foot", suggesting a family who owned or worked the land.
In many cases, the phonetic interpretation of the surname is Platkus, Platfuss, Plattfues, Plattkus, or Plattfus in the United States. It is a common variant of the name in Poland.
Variants of this name in other countries include Polish-Platkiewicz, Plattka in Hungary and the Czech Republic, Plátek or Plátková in the Czech Republic, Platka in Slovakia, Plachetka in Austria, Platek in Romania and Plattka in Russia.
In its original form, the name Plattfus commonly appears in records from the region of East Prussia, which is now part of Poland and the Kaliningrad region of Russia. It is still a relatively common surname in Germany, Austria and southern Poland.
Famous people with the name Plattfus
- Adam Plattfus: American professional cyclist
- Bonnie Plattfus: professional photographer
- Chris Plattfus: American football player
- Dan Plattfus: pastor, evangelist, author
- Gary Plattfus: former Major League Baseball player
- Charlie Plattfus: politician
- Joe Plattfus: college basketball coach
- John Plattfus: pioneering Alberta politician
- Maria Plattfus: American entrepreneur
- Michael Plattfus: American banker and businessman