Find out how popular the last name Pletcher is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Pletcher.

Pletcher, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Pletcher surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Pletcher in America

Pletcher is the 9147th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Pletcher surname appeared 3,567 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 1 people would have the surname Pletcher.

We can also compare 2010 data for Pletcher to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Pletcher

The surname Pletcher has its origins in Germany and likely emerged during the Middle Ages between the 5th and 15th centuries. It is derived from the German word "Pletsche," which means "flat basin" or "dish-shaped depression." This suggests that the name may have been an occupational surname, referring to someone who worked with flat basins or lived near a dish-shaped depression in the landscape.

The earliest recorded instance of the name dates back to the late 13th century in the town of Plettenberg, located in the region of Sauerland, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. The town's name, which means "flat mountain" or "flat hill," shares a similar root with the surname Pletcher, further supporting the connection between the name and geographical features.

In the 14th century, a document from the city of Cologne mentioned a man named Johannes Pletcher, who was a merchant and landowner. This early record provides evidence of the name's existence and its association with trade and property ownership during that time period.

As the surname spread across Europe, it underwent various spelling variations, including Pletscher, Pletzer, and Plettcher. These variations were common due to differences in regional dialects and the inconsistent spelling practices of the time.

One notable bearer of the Pletcher surname was Johann Pletcher (1530-1592), a German theologian and reformer who played a significant role in the Protestant Reformation. He was a close associate of Martin Luther and worked tirelessly to spread the teachings of the Reformation throughout Germany.

Another individual of note was Wilhelm Pletcher (1690-1762), a German artist and engraver who gained recognition for his intricate copperplate engravings depicting religious scenes and landscapes. His works were widely circulated throughout Europe and are now considered important examples of 18th-century German art.

In the 19th century, the Pletcher surname appeared in the United States, as German immigrants began to settle in various parts of the country. One such immigrant was Friedrich Pletcher (1810-1882), who emigrated from Bavaria to Pennsylvania in the 1830s and became a successful farmer and landowner.

Another notable American with the Pletcher surname was Samuel Pletcher (1845-1921), a Civil War veteran who served in the Union Army and later became a prominent businessman and philanthropist in Ohio.

Throughout its history, the surname Pletcher has been borne by individuals from various walks of life, including theologians, artists, farmers, and soldiers, reflecting the diverse backgrounds and experiences of those who carried this name across generations and across continents.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Pletcher

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Pletcher.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Pletcher was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Pletcher has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Pletcher was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Pletcher, please contact us.

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