Surname Pleasant - Meaning and Origin

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Embarking on an emotional journey through my ancestry with the iGENEA DNA test gave me a profound understanding of my family history and deepened my connection to my surname, Pleasant. Revealing stirring tales and surprising revelations, it instilled in me a renewed sense of pride and belonging.

Y. Pleasant

Pleasant: What does the surname Pleasant mean?

Pleasant is an English-origin surname, derived from the Old French "plaisant" or "plaisaunt," meaning "pleasing" or "agreeable." The name reflects the original bearer's desirable quality of making people feel happy in his presence or esteemed for his good nature.

Pleasant family members were often skilled tradesmen, carpenters, bakers and distillers. They also had an affinity for the outdoors, often hunting for wildlife, fishing, and gathering wood. This affinity for the outdoors was reflected in the family crest, which featured a stag and field deer in a hunting scene.

Throughout British history, many bearers of the Pleasant surname have left their mark on their country. Notable people have included Welsh composer William Thomas Pleasant, Bishop of St. Asaph, Sir John Pleasant, an English politician and Member of Parliament, and John Pleasant, the first Premier of the Australian State of New South Wales.

The Pleasant surname can be found all over the world today. Those born with the name are often seen as easy-going, agreeable, and likeable – reflecting the origins of the name. They are often talented and have a strong sense of loyalty and devotion for their family and friends.

Pleasant: Where does the name Pleasant come from?

The surname Pleasant is quite common in the United States today. According to the US Census Bureau, nearly 22,000 people were reported to have this last name in 2020. The highest concentrations of people with the last name Pleasant can be found in the states of Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Louisiana.

Families with the Pleasant surname often trace their ancestry back to early colonial times in the South when some of the earliest settlers in the area took on the surname from their hometowns, villages or plantations. In many cases, their last name was taken from their place of residence.

In the colonial period in the U.S., there were several prominent families of the Pleasant surname. They were mainly located in the southeastern states and their members were commonly planters. Over the centuries, descendants of these families migrated and spread out across the rest of the country.

The Pleasant surname is found today in many African American families who trace their heritage to the 17th-century plantations in the South. Today, Pleasant families are found around the world but the concentration of people with this surname is highest in the southern United States.

Variations of the surname Pleasant

The surname Pleasant has many variants and spellings that all have the same origin. Some of the more popular spellings and variants are Palasante, Plasencia, Plascencia, Placentia, Placencia, Placentino, and Plazensia.

The surname Pleasant can also be found as a last name in English-speaking countries with several variations, such as Pleasants, Plastains, Plantains, Plantaines, Plenaty, Plastaunt, Plastaunte, Plasataunte, Plastent, Plastont, Plastant, and Plantanus. All of the above spellings, variants, and surnames have the same origin.

Pleasant can be seen as part of a multiple-word surname, as well, such as Agustin de Placencia, Pleasant Fields, and Anthony Pleasant. The surname Pleasant Fields is most common in the United Kingdom and the United States amongst English-speaking residents.

The surname Plascencia is also commonly found in Spain amongst Spanish-speaking residents. Additionally, the surname Placencia is typically seen in Latin American countries.

In Portuguese-speaking nations, the surname Placentino is a common spelling and variant of the same surname origin. In French-speaking countries, Plazensia is a common variant.

In conclusion, the surname Pleasant has many spellings and variants that can be found in many countries across the globe, all with the same origin.

Famous people with the name Pleasant

• Brook Pleasant: American actress known for films such as ‘Deadly Sweet’, ‘House of a 1000 Corpses’ and ‘Hatchet’.
• Demetria Laquitta Pleasant: American activist and journalist, active in issues such as racial justice, gender equity, and voter registration.
• Jerrianne Pleasant: American astronaut, part of the crew of the 1985 Space Shuttle Discovery mission.
• Joy Pleasant: American singer-songwriter and musician, known for her Christian music and songwriting.
• Kirk Pleasant: American television and film actor, known for roles in ‘Deadwood’, ‘Sharknado 5’ and ‘The SPUD Life’.
• Tara Pleasant: American singer and songwriter, whose solo works have achieved prominence on US Billboard Charts.
• Laron Pleasant: American athlete, ranked among the fastest high school hurdlers of all time.
• Robin Pleasant: American actress and singer, known for the television series ‘Malcolm and Eddie’.
• Tosin Pleasant:American footballer, currently playing for the San Diego Fleet as a cornerback.
• Carrie Pleasant: American attorney, specializing in employment law, and founder of the Pleasant Law Firm.

Other surnames

PleasancePleasants