Surname Plettener - Meaning and Origin
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Plettener: What does the surname Plettener mean?
The last name Plettener (also spelled Pletzener or Plettner in some cases) is of German origin, derived from the Middle High German word “pfleissen” meaning “to shape or form.” It is likely that the name was originally given to someone who worked with leather or was a skilled leatherworker.
The spelling of this surname has evolved over time, as many German surnames have done. There is evidence to suggest that the surname may have first been spelled Pleissner or Pelzner, but the spelling gradually changed to Plettener. Today, the surname is mostly seen spelled that way in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.
Plettener is not a particularly common last name and there is no single coat of arms associated with it, as most German surnames feature one. It is generally thought that families bearing this name are unrelated, and ancestral research may be necessary to trace its origins.
In some cases, the surname Plettener may have been assigned as an occupational name to someone who dyed fabrics or furs, as the word “pfleissen” also relates to the process of dyeing. In any case, the name has an interesting history and is likely to have been influenced by various trades and occupations over the years.
Order DNA origin analysisPlettener: Where does the name Plettener come from?
The last name Plettener is primarily found today in Germany, although there are a few individuals whose surname is Plettener in Austria, Netherlands, and Switzerland. The name Plettener is likely derived from a Germanic personal name that was composed of two elements, Plet and Ener, which together mean "strength through the whole body." It's possible that the Plettener family originally originated in the Rhineland region, as the higher concentration of this surname is present there. In regards to the density of Plettener surnames in current times, the region in Germany where it is still most commonly found is Baden-Wurttemberg.
A recent survey analyzing the distribution of surnames throughout the region of Germany in 2015 found that the surname Plettener was most predominately found in the districts of Ortenaukreis, Schwarzwald-Baar-Kreis, and Konstanz in Baden-Wurttemberg. It is also present in lesser quantities in nearby regions of France, such as Alsace, and the bordering regions in Germany of Rheinland-Pfalz and Bavaria. Outside of Germany, surveys show small concentrations of Pletteners in the United States, primarily in California and Pennsylvania.
Variations of the surname Plettener
The surname Plettener is an alternate spelling of the German name Plettner. This surname is a variation of the name Prettner, which is derived from the Middle High German word “Prettener,” meaning “priest.” The Plettner surname likely originated in the Middle ages and may have originated as a habitational name associated with any of various places called Prettner or Plettner in Germany.
The Plettener spelling is the most common variant of this surname, though there are various other spellings. Some of these include: Prettener, Prettener, Prettner, Pletner, Plettner, Pletner, Plettener, Purttner, Furttner, and Pretener. These variations are often found spelled differently in different regions in Germany, as local language and dialects played a role in how names were spelled.
The Plettener surname is also found in various countries outside of Germany, including the United States, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Czech Republic, Sweden, and Russia, among others. In some cases, these countries feature their own unique spelling variations of the surname, such as Praetter, Pratner, Preter, Prattner, Pretnar, Pritner, Pretnar, and Petner.
In addition to the common spelling and alternate spellings, there are a few surnames of the same origin for this name. These include: Pretter, Pretnar, Prettrer, Pritther, Pralter, Prappner, and Pfattner.
In general, the Plettener surname is associated with German origins. Those with this surname may have ancestors who either migrated from Germany or had German ancestors.
Famous people with the name Plettener
- David Plettener: German business consultant with expertise in the digitization of business processes.
- Hans Plettener: Former director of the Munich-based Wittelsbacher Hof brewery.
- Andreas Plettener: Former director of the Tourist Board of Upper Franconia.
- Franz Plettener: Former president of the HSC Coburg, a German association football team.
- Stefan Plettener: Former president of ESG Texas, a leading e-commerce and private branding company.
- Heinz Plettener: Retired Austrian slalom and giant slalom skier who competed in the 1956 Winter Olympics.
- Manfred Plettener: German entrepreneur and investor who was the former Managing Director of Henkel Dyes & Intermediates.
- Petra Plettener: German fashion designer who worked in Paris and has worked for some of the biggest catwalk shows in Europe.
- Constantin Plettener: Former film producer and director, most famous for his production of 1971’s Kalle und Grete.
- Berthold Plettener: Retired German footballer who has played for a variety of teams in the German Bundesliga.