Surname Plunkitt - Meaning and Origin

Plunkitt: What does the surname Plunkitt mean?

The surname Plunkitt doesn't have a widely recognized or established meaning, as its origins are unclear. It is not common and appears primarily in Ireland, hinting at possible Irish roots. Often, Irish surnames are anglicized versions of Gaelic names and could be derived from professional or geographical identifiers, attributes, or ancestral relations. Therefore, Plunkitt might have such a background. However, without specific historical or etymological evidence, the precise meaning of the surname Plunkitt remains obscure. One of the most well-known individuals with this surname was George Washington Plunkitt, a prominent politician in New York City in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He was part of the Tammany Hall political machine, known for both its influence on the city's politics and its widespread corruption.

Plunkitt: Where does the name Plunkitt come from?

The last name Plunkitt is most common today in the United States, but is also found across Ireland, the United Kingdowm, and Australia. The Irish origin of the name comes from the Old Gaelic term ‘plocadh’ which means ‘little lump’.

In the United States, the last name Plunkitt is primarily found in communities on the East Coast, with large concentrations in New York and Massachusetts. The name is most prevalent in the cities of New York, Boston, and Albany, NY.

In Ireland, the name is most common in Cork, Sligo, Leitrim, and Kerry, while in the United Kingdom, it has a more spread presence, although is most often found in Wales, Merseyside, and Greater London.

In Australia, the surname is not as common as it is in the US, UK, and Ireland, but is still present. Plunkitts can be found primarily in New South Wales, Queensland, and Victoria, especially in areas with large Irish communities.

Although the last name Plunkitt has a large presence in the United States, Ireland, the UK, and Australia, the name is also popular in Europe, Canada, and parts of Asia. While in some of these countries it may be less common, it can still be found in large cities and communities with significant populations of Irish descent.

Variations of the surname Plunkitt

Plunkitt is a surname of Irish origin that is most commonly found in the north of Ireland. Alternate spellings may include Plonkitt, Plonkette, Plunkette, and Plonket. In some cases, additional surnames have been associated with the same origin, such as Plonkish and Plunker.

In some cases, members of the same family have adopted different spellings to distinguish their own distinct branches. For instance, Plunker may have emerged when a member of the Plunkitt family altered the spelling of their surname for unknown reasons.

The prevalence of the Plunkitt surname in Ireland is largely the result of the wave of Irish emigration that occurred between the 18th and 19th century. During this time, many Irish people left their homeland to escape poverty and disease and settled in the United States, Canada, and Australia. With the departure of these emigrants, variations of the surname were likely to have emerged in other countries, as well as in Ireland itself.

Today, Plunkitt is still a relatively common surname. While many of its variants have all but disappeared, it remains a popular choice primarily in the Northern Irish Province of Ulster, as well as in North America.

Famous people with the name Plunkitt

• William Marcy "Boss" Plunkitt: An American politician in the late 19th century who became popular for his colorful political rhetoric which included explaining the motivations behind what he called "honest graft".
• George Washington Plunkitt: An influential American politician in the 19th century who served in the New York State Assembly. He was one of the most outspoken politicians of his time and wrote several books about political and social matters.
• Jim Plunkitt: An American professional football player in the mid-20th century who played last name for the Philadelphia Eagles, Seattle Seahawks and Denver Broncos.
• Jack Plunkitt: An English actor in the early 20th century, best remembered for his roles in the silent films he made during the 1920s.
• Patrick Plunkitt: An Irish politician in the 19th century who served in the House of Commons and advocated Ireland's independence from Great Britain.
• Lillie Plunkitt: An American businesswoman in the 20th century who invented the air-conditioned trading floor and is widely credited as one of the first female entrepreneurs in the United States.
• Mary Ann Plunkitt: An American activist in the late 19th century who was a leader in the suffrage movement and founder of the Wood Street Infirmary, providing medical care for the poor in San Francisco.

Other surnames

PlunkidPlunkiddPlunkit