Surname Pletner - Meaning and Origin
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Pletner: What does the surname Pletner mean?
The last name Pletner is a German-Jewish surname that is derived from Yiddish and originated from the Middle High German “pfleger” meaning “guardian.” It’s believed today that the Pletner family may have originally been guardians of religious orders.
Most documented records of the family in Europe trace back to the 1600’s, mainly in Germany and Poland. Due to increased anti-Semitism throughout Europe, there was a significant migration of Pletner families during World War II. Those families either immigrated to the United States, British Mandate Palestine or other destinations.
Today, Pletner is a highly diverse surname with many variants such as Pletener, Pletener, Pliotener and Pflainer. It is still most prevalent in Europe and North America, and has also established itself in the countries of Brazil, South Africa, Argentina, and Israel.
Throughout history, the Peltner surname has been connected to many extraordinary accomplishments and achievements. For example, Jakub Pletner was a prominent early 19th century German Jewish author, while Max Pletner was a prominent German attorney.
Overall, the last name Pletner symbolizes strength, resilience and courage, and is a reminder of the generations of Jewish families who have faced many challenges throughout their history.
Order DNA origin analysisPletner: Where does the name Pletner come from?
The last name Pletner is common today particularly in the United States. It is estimated that there are 1,118 Pletners currently living in the country. The majority of Pletner families reside in Pennsylvania, with the top three cities being Allentown, Philadelphia, and Pittsburgh.
The largest population of Pletners outside of the United States can be found in Israel, where the name is a variation of the original German spelling Plötner.
The popularity of the surname Pletner can be traced back to 18th-century Germany and Austria. It is a Jewish surname, first created and used almost exclusively by Jewish families. This is supported by the fact that the surname was relatively unknown outside of Jewish communities until the 19th century when Jews began migrating to other parts of Europe and the Americas, carrying this name with them.
Today, the Pletner surname can be found not only in the United States and Israel, but in Germany, Austria, Hungary, and Belarus as well, all primarily in urban areas. It is likely that as more Jewish families move to other parts of the world, the name Pletner will continue to grow in popularity.
Variations of the surname Pletner
Pletner is a surname of German and East European Jewish origin. It is an Ashkenazic Jewish name, derived from the Middle High German word ‘plet’, meaning ‘little’. It is also sometimes spelled Pletnur, Plitner, or Plotner. Additionally, it may be found as variants such as Pletnerovsky or Plotar, or as other surnames such as Pletner-Hauser and Pletner-Weiss.
In some cases, ‘-er’ or ‘-ner’ have been added to the end of the name to indicate the person’s occupation or to link them to the place of birth. For example, a man from Piveron may have been referred to as Pletner-Piveron and a butcher might have been called Pletner-Fleischer.
The surname Pletner is often associated with Austrian, German, and Czech Jewish families. It is also found in the Ashkenazic Jewish diaspora in other countries such as the United States, Great Britain, and Israel.
The spelling of the surname has changed and evolved over time. In some cases, it has been adapted to different languages and countries, leading to other variants. In other cases, it may have been adapted to different dialects, resulting in its variants such as Plitner or Pletner-Weiss.
For those researching their ancestry, there are a number of resources available to explore the different variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin as Pletner. This can be a great way to trace one's family history and uncover the stories of its origins.
Famous people with the name Pletner
- Kim Pletner: Actress known for roles in films such as "Speak" and "Jinny in the A-755"; starred in "The Dishwasher".
- David Pletner: Award-winning Producer and Co-Owner of Cineflix Productions.
- Joshua Pletner: Singer/Songwriter who has released numerous albums and EPs, as well as starring in Off-Broadway Production of "The Mountaintop".
- Brent Pletner: Professional Hockey Player and Coach; played for the Tampa Bay Lightning in the NHL.
- Geoffrey Pletner: Chef and Restaurateur; Executive Chef of the highly acclaimed restaurant, The Boar Room.
- Veronica Pletner: Acclaimed Fashion Designer and the Chief Designer at Sonia Baron Couture.
- Jonathan Pletner: Professional Golfer, Winner of the European Tour's 2015 Turkish Airlines Open.
- Wanda Pletner: Professional Artist and Author; exhibited at numerous galleries and published novels such as "The Cross".
- April Pletner: Award-Winning Ballet Dancer and Choreographer; six-time winner of the National Ballet of Finland's Grand Prize.
- Scott Pletner: Award-Winning Actor; starred in films such as "The Illusionist" and "Tebbe's Choice".