Surname Plough - Meaning and Origin

Plough: What does the surname Plough mean?

The last name Plough is believed to have originated from Northern Europe, specifically Denmark and Germany. It has occupational roots and was likely first used to denote someone who worked as a farmer or ploughman, i.e., someone who ploughed fields. The name is derived from the Old English word "plog," which translates to "plough," an agricultural tool used for initial cultivation of soil in preparation for sowing seed or planting. Over time, it has taken different variations, like "Pflug," "Pflugh," or "Pflüger" in German-speaking regions. Names of occupational origins were commonly used in Medieval Europe as a practical means of identifying individuals within small communities. Therefore, Plough could signify the role and standing of the family within their community when it was first adopted as a surname.

Plough: Where does the name Plough come from?

The last name Plough is most commonly found today in the United Kingdom, particularly in England. It is believed to have originated in England and is occupational in nature. The first known record of the name is from Edward Ploughe, who was recorded in the 1327 Subsidy Rolls of county Somerset.

The most concentrated area of people with the Plough surname can be found in Somerset and Devon, both located on the southwest coast of England. There are a total of 271 people in England with the Plough surname.

Outside of England, the Plough name is also found in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the United States, Wales and Scotland. It has spread to these countries primarily through migration or immigration by people originating in England.

The Plough surname can be found in countries across the world. With its English origin and a long history in England, the name is likely to remain popular for many generations to come.

Variations of the surname Plough

The surname Plough is a variation on the Old English name Ploughman, which evolved into Plowman and eventually Plough. This name is derived from the Old English word "ploh," meaning "plough," as well as "man," meaning "man." The surname is found in numerous countries around the world.

In England, the variants of Plough are generally spelled Plough, Plowman, or Plouman. In Scotland the variants are generally Lenman, Lenmane or Lenmon. In Wales the variants are generally Ploe, Plyn, Plynt or Ploynt. In Ireland the variants are generally Lawman, and in the United States the variants are generally Plow, Ploughman, or Plouman.

Surnames related to Plough include Ploughman, Plowman, Plouman, Plomman, Plumane, Plomayne, Ploveman, Plowan, Poulman, Poulum, Polman, Pulman, Ploeman, Plenman, Lawman, Leonards, and Lenman.

The common spelling of Plough has survived even in the introduction of surnames in the United Kingdom upon the onset of Norman rule. It carries a proud history of hard work in the fields and is found around the world in many forms.

Famous people with the name Plough

• Jerry D. Plough: American business executive, chairman and founding CEO of Citizen's Communications and former CEO of Alltel.
• Alexander Plough: War artist and English illustrator.
• James Plough: professional basketball player who plays for the Ecuador national team.
• Christina Plough: Swedish alpine skier, specialized in the giant slalom.
• Tom Plough: Australian bronze medalist in the 2018 Springboard diving event.
• T.J Plough: American professional golfer who plays for the United States (US) Sanderson Cup team.
• Levi Plough: American musician, guitarist for the popular alternative/indie rock band The Weekend Changes.
• Chris Plough: British film editor and sound editor, two-time BAFTA Award winner.
• Ellen Plough: American singer, songwriter, and record producer.
• Douglas Plough: German-born American botanist and horticulturist.

Other surnames

Ploughman