Show ContentsPleter History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The roots of the distinguished surname Pleter lie in Germany, and chronicles claim two different origins for this name. Some sources suggest the origin is found in the mediaeval German word for the maker of breast plates for armor. Other sources claim the name stems from the German word for "plateau."

Early Origins of the Pleter family

The surname Pleter was first found in Brandenburg, where the name was an integral part of a feudal society which would shape modern European history. Many prominent branches of the family would strive to make this name renowned as they contributed to the social, economic and political affairs of the region. One of the earliest known bearers of this name was the knight Otto cum Plata ("breast plate",) who lived at Ruegen around 1255.

Platten is an Ortsgemeinde (municipality) in the Bernkastel-Wittlich district in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany that dates back to at least 1084 when it was first listed as "villa Platana."

Early History of the Pleter family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Pleter research. Another 277 words (20 lines of text) covering the years 1190, 1536, 1563, 1565, 1574, 1604, 1614, 1628, 1669, 1796 and 1835 are included under the topic Early Pleter History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Pleter Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Plath, Plathe, Plather, Plate, Plat, Plater, Platt, Platter, Platten, Platen, Platener, Platner, Plattener, Pletener, Plettener, Plaettner, Plaetner, Plaeth, Plathner, Plett, Pletter, Pletten, Pleten, Pleter, Plettner, Blate, Blatte, Blatten, Blath and many more.

Early Notables of the Pleter family

Notable figures of the time with the name Pleter were Thomas Platter, who was a prominent humanist from Basel. He began as an Alpine goatherder, then journeyed through Germany on foot and became a printer...
Another 35 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Pleter Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Pleter family

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: Richard Plat, who settled in Virginia in 1622; Gilbert Platt, who settled in Virginia in 1635; John Platt, who settled in Jamaica or Barbados in 1694.



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