Surname Plein - Meaning and Origin

Plein: What does the surname Plein mean?

The last name Plein, derived from the French name "Plein" or "Pelez," is of two possible origins. The first origin is derived from the Old French word "plein," meaning “solid, entire, level, even,” used to refer to land held in full, solid ownership and not divided among heirs. This origin likely indicates an ancestor who owned land. The second origin is derived from a nickname given to someone with a bald head - "ple(ez)", or "pelez," and became a surname.

It is likely that the use of the last name Plein first arose as a way to distinguish individuals from a larger group or family. As time passed, the French element of the family name endured various spelling changes and treatments, settling into the spelling of Plein as it is seen today.

The family history of the Plein surname includes significant figures in French culture and history ranging from artists and authors to politicians and religious leaders. Over the course of history, various members of the Plein family resided in Italy, Clinton and Genoa, New Jersey, France, and England.

Today, the Plein surname is most commonly associated with philanthropy and the arts, and those who carry this name continue to make significant contributions to society. The Plein name stands for excellence and accomplishment, and it is likely to carry on for generations to come.

Plein: Where does the name Plein come from?

The last name Plein is a German surname found in parts of Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands. It is also found in the United States and Canada, with more English-speaking families having the name, as it has been Anglicized as Plain.

In Germany, the Plein name is most common in the Bavarian region, being found primarily in the eastern part of the country from Hamburg and Lower Saxony all the way to Austria and Czechoslovakia. Bielefeld and some other cities in North Rhine-Westphalia also have a considerable number of citizens bearing this name.

In Belgium, the name is more commonly found in the Flemish-speaking region and the provinces of East Flanders, West Flanders, and Antwerp. It's also common in the Netherlands, especially in the provinces of Gelderland, North Brabant, and South Holland.

In the United States, the Plein name is found scattered throughout the country, with some concentrations in the east and midwest. Large numbers are found in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, and New York.

Canada also has some presence of the Plein name. It is most common in Ontario and Alberta, especially in Ottawa and around Calgary.

Overall, the Plein name is likely derived from 'Pfahl', a German word meaning 'stake', 'pale' or 'pole'. It is likely that individuals bearing this name (or similar variants of it) likely had ancestors that made a living by producing these wooden posts used to make fences and in other construction projects.

Variations of the surname Plein

The surname Plein is usually of Dutch or German origin, although it is found in other parts of Europe as well. It could mean an enclosure, homestead or area of land of some kind and origins from the Middle Ages. Variants of this surname are often found with a variety of spellings, such as Pleyn, Plein, Pleyne, Plen, Plaine, Pleen, Pleyin, Pleine, and Plan.

In terms of surnames derived from Plein, there are dozens, including Pleyne, Playn, Plen, Plaine, Pleen, Playne, Plenning, Pleines, Pleining, and Plon. In some cases, depending on regional dialects or nation-specific spelling conventions, some of these surnames have variants of their own.

For example in Germany, the surname Pleyn is sometimes spelled as Plien; in Scotland, Plein is sometimes spelled as Plen; and in the United States, the Netherlandic form of Plien has become Pline. These variants can be further complicated by the silent letters that are often present.

In the end, the surnames derived from Plein form hundreds of variations, bringing with them centuries of heritage and a complex mix of cultural influences.

Famous people with the name Plein

• Marvin Plein: a German sculptor and painter.
• Johann Plein: a painter from the 16th century.
• Louis Plein: a French painter who lived in the 19th century.
• Johannes Plein: an 18th century German painter and engraver.
• Marie Plein: a French artist and post-impressionist painter.
• Pierre Plein: a French artist and portrait painter.
• Philippe Plein: a French sculptor.
• Francois Plein: a French sculptor and painter.
• Auguste Plein: a 19th century French painter.
• Pauline Plein-Wagner: a French sculptor.
• Victor Plein: a French sculptor.
• Alfred Plein: a German painter.
• Rudolph Plein: a German composer.
• Johanna Plein: a French composer.
• Hans Plein: a German artist and painter.
• Otto Plein: a German artist and sculptor.
• Clara Plein: an Austrian musician and composer.
• Alice Plein: a French artist and illustrator.
• Henri Plein: a French painter.
• Lucien Plein: a French painter.

Other surnames

PleiPleielPleierPleilPleilePleinmarais