Surname Plumbe - Meaning and Origin
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Plumbe: What does the surname Plumbe mean?
The surname Plumbe (or Plumbeau/Plomb) originates from a variety of European countries, including Germany, France, and Belgium. This surname is derived from the Old French and Middle English words ‘plum(b)’, meaning lead. It is likely that the surname originated as an occupational surname, with the original bearer having worked in professions related to lead, such as roofers, blacksmiths, and miners.
The use of the surname Plumbe is believed to have begun in the 12th and 13th centuries during medieval times, eventually spreading to numerous different countries in the later Middle Ages. During the 16th century, it is thought that the surname was carried to England and Scotland by immigrants from the Low Countries (Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg).
Today, the surname Plumbe can still be found in many different countries. As a result of immigration, members of the Plumbe family can also be found in countries that the surname had not previously been found in including Canada, the United States, Australia, and New Zealand.
The surname Plumbe is also associated with many notable figures. Examples include British poet and bound keeper of the British Museum, Karl Robert Plumbe, English sculptor, Richard Plumbe, and also Australian professional rugby league footballer, Daniel Plumbe.
Order DNA origin analysisPlumbe: Where does the name Plumbe come from?
The last name Plumbe is a rather uncommon name today. It is most commonly found in the United Kingdom, particularly in England and Scotland. The name Plumbe was originally derived from an old French word, "Plumbes" meaning lead and lead worker. It is thought to have originated during the Middle Ages, when lead was used widely for roofing and water pipes. Today, this last name can be found in varying forms throughout England, including Plum, Plumb, Plumbet, Plumer, Plumbe, Plumbly and Plombe. Though it is a largely British surname, records also point to Plumbe families in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, USA and South Africa.
In England, the last name is most prevalent in East Anglia, the Midlands and South West England. It is also there that evidence of the earliest instances of the name can be found, stretching back to the 13th century. Evidence of similar names also appears in Lincolnshire, Derbyshire, Durham and Yorkshire. Records of the name are fewer in the rest of the world, suggesting it has not spread as widely as many other British surnames.
While it is difficult to determine the exact origin of the surname, its rarity today suggests that it is not as actively used as it once was. Despite this, there are still those bearing the name Plumbe in the UK and various other countries around the world.
Variations of the surname Plumbe
The surname Plumbe is mainly found in England and can be spelled in several different ways. These include Plumb, Plume, Plumm, Plume, Plumbes and Plumbe. The origin of the name is derived from the Middle English term 'plumb', which means lead.
Another variant of the surname is Plumbe, which is spelled differently but still has a shared origin. This variation could have its origin in the use of 'Plumb' as an occupational or status surname in medieval times and could refer to workers who manufactured items out of lead or plumb, such as lead roofers, plumbers or metal workers.
The other variants of the surname are Plumb, Plume, Plumm, Plume and Plumbes. The Plumb variation is derived from the Anglo-Saxon term 'pluma', which means lead and could refer to someone who works with lead or plumb. The Plume variation might have derived from the use of plum trees as a symbol of status, while Plumm could come from the Old English term 'pluma' and could be linked to the proverb 'every man's house is his castle'.
For all variants, there is a possibility of a spelling changed due to regional dialect or language, particularly if the family migrated from one country to another.
In conclusion, the surnames Plumbe, Plumb, Plume, Plumm, Plume and Plumbes all share a common origin and can be traced back to the Middle English term 'plumb', meaning lead. Each variant could potentially have different origins, depending on when and how the surname was adopted.
Famous people with the name Plumbe
- James Plumbe: noted English printmaker and landscape engraver.
- William Plumbe: an early English watercolour artist and painter of miniatures.
- David Plumbe: former NCAA Division I college soccer player for the UC Santa Barbara Gauchos.
- Violet Plumbe: Australian soprano of the late 19th century.
- Alfred Plumbe: English watercolour artist and illustrator.
- Edward Plumbe: Welsh landscape painter who exhibited over 250 paintings in the UK.
- John Plumbe Jr.: American photographer and daguerreotypist.
- Sir Felix Plumbe: British Conservative politician, who held several government posts.
- Ebenezer Plumbe: English musician and composer of the late 18th century.
- John Plumbe: U.S. Congressman from Wisconsin.