Surname Pflugk - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'P'
Pflugk: What does the surname Pflugk mean?
The last name Pflugk is of German origin and is derived from the personal name Plouch or Plog, which was a popular form of the name Bloch. The Plouch name was derived from the Middle High German word 'pluoc', which means 'plough', indicating that the family was likely once involved in farming. Plouch was also interpreted as a nickname for someone with a full head of hair, comparing them to the fur of a ploughman’s animal.
Early records of the Pflugk name date back to 1693 in Prakritz, a small town near Frankfurt, Germany. It can be assumed that the family hailed from the area between Berlin and Hildesheim, Germany. The original spelling of Pflugk was Pflug, with the “k” being added in later generations. In the 18th century, the Pflugk family began to spread across Europe, migrating into the former Soviet Union as well as Switzerland and Poland.
Today, Pflugk is an uncommon surname in Europe, particularly in Germany where the family has all but disappeared. In recent years, members of the Pflugk family have established themselves in the United States and other countries around the globe, thereby allowing the name to live on.
Order DNA origin analysisPflugk: Where does the name Pflugk come from?
The last name Pflugk is a German surname originating in the 14th century. It is believed to be derived from the Old German words “pfleg” meaning to care for and “k” meaning “king”, thus referring to someone who was a king’s steward and caretaker. The Pflugk surname is common in Europe, particularly in Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands. However, it is also seen around the world in countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia and Brazil. For instance, according to the 2020 US Census, there were more than 1,000 people with the surnames Pflugk and Pflueger living in the United States.
In Germany, the Pflugk surname is still relatively common. In 2018, there were over 8000 people in Germany with this surname. In the US, people with this surname can be found throughout most states but are most heavily concentrated in states such as Michigan, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and California. Furthermore, there are approximately 100 professionals with the surname Pflugk listed in the US on LinkedIn.
Overall, the last name Pflugk is a fairly common surname in Europe, particularly in Germany and the Low Countries, and is increasingly seen in other countries around the world.
Variations of the surname Pflugk
Pflugk is an old Germanic surname. It can have several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. The most common among them are Pflegee, Pflege, Pflügge, and Pflüger.
Pflegee is the most common variant of Pflugk, originating as a terminology used by professions dealing in agricultural woodworking. This variant was most likely adapted as a surname in the 15th century. It is also known as Pfingst, Pfils, and Pfuester in some areas.
Pflege is derived from the same etymology and is the second-most common variant. It is popularly used in many parts of Germany, especially areas with a traditional agricultural setting.
Pflügge is another variant which evolved from Old High German ‘pflugge’ which means planks. This likely originated in areas populated by farmers and lumberjacks. It is most common in eastern Germany, Denmark, and Poland.
Pflüger is the most south-eastern variant of Pflugk. This variant has a direct link to the profession of ploughing. It is most popular in Germany and northern Austria.
In conclusion, Pflugk has four major variants, each with unique spellings and surnames of the same origin. These variants are Pflegee, Pflege, Pflügge, and Pflüger.
Famous people with the name Pflugk
- Friedrich Wilhelm Pflugk-Harttung (1848-1929), German Publisher and author
- Gregor Paul Pflugk-Harttung (1879-1945), German Editor
- Franz Pflugk-Harttung (1842-1914), German Barrister and Politician
- Nikolaus von Pflugk-Harttung (1893-1981), German Professor of Diplomatic Science
- Karl Pflugk-Harttung (1849-1926), German Fishery Scientist
- Erich Nepomuk von Pflugk-Harttung (1850-1910), German Lieutenant and Politician
- Hanfried Pflugk-Harttung (1820-1869), Prussian Politician
- Gustav Karl Pflugk-Harttung (1841-1918), German Politician
- Erik Pflugk-Harttung (1854-1923), Swedish Army Officer
- Hermann Pflugk-Harttung (1877-1959), German Sailor and Officer