Pluck History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

Pluck is a name that was carried to England in the great wave of migration from Normandy following the Norman Conquest of 1066. It is a name for a maker of coarse woolen cloth and blankets. Plucknett is of Norman-French origin and derives from the name Plunket. Plunket is adapted from the Anglo-Norman-French word blancquet, meaning blanket or sheet. Another explanation suggests that the name is a local reference to Plugenett, Normandy. ^[1] Pluck is a classic example of an English polygenetic surname, which is a surname that was developed in a number of different locations and adopted by various families independently.

Early Origins of the Pluck family

The surname Pluck was first found in Oxfordshire where the name Plukenet is found in two versions of the Roll of Battel Abbey. One of the first records of the name was Hugh de Plugenet who was made Baron by Henry II. ^[2] The name was also found in Ireland as early as the 11th century. ^[3]

One of the earliest records of the family was Alan de Plugenet (died 1299), an English Baron, son of Alan de Plugenet. His family was settled at Preston Pluchenet in Somerset. He fought on the king's side in the barons' war, and was rewarded in 1265 with the manor of Haselberg, Northamptonshire. Through his mother's side, his uncle granted him Kilpeck Castle, Hereford, with other lands in Somerset, Dorset, and Wiltshire, for a yearly payment of £140. and a sparrow-hawk. He also granted Plugenet his estate at Haselberg, Somerset, for the yearly rent of one rosebud. ^[4]

Early History of the Pluck family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Pluck research. Another 79 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1641, 1706, 1625 and 1681 are included under the topic Early Pluck History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Pluck Spelling Variations

The English language only became standardized in the last few centuries. For that reason, spelling variations are common among many Anglo-Norman names. The shape of the English language was frequently changed with the introduction of elements of Norman French, Latin, and other European languages; even the spelling of literate people's names were subsequently modified. Pluck has been recorded under many different variations, including Plucknett, Pluckett, Plugenett and others.

Early Notables of the Pluck family (pre 1700)

More information is included under the topic Early Pluck Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Pluck family to Ireland

Some of the Pluck family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 83 words (6 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Pluck migration to the United States +

To escape the uncertainty of the political and religious uncertainty found in England, many English families boarded ships at great expense to sail for the colonies held by Britain. The passages were expensive, though, and the boats were unsafe, overcrowded, and ridden with disease. Those who were hardy and lucky enough to make the passage intact were rewarded with land, opportunity, and social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families went on to be important contributors to the young nations of Canada and the United States where they settled. Plucks were some of the first of the immigrants to arrive in North America:

Pluck Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

William Pluck, aged 1878, originally from Glasgow, who arrived in New York in 1919 aboard the ship "Oriana" from Glasgow, Scotland ^[5]
Frederick Pluck, aged 50, originally from Wetford, England, who arrived in New York in 1920 aboard the ship "Philadelphia" from Southampton, England ^[6]

Pluck migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Pluck Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Richard Pluck, English convict from Cambridge, who was transported aboard the "Andromeda" on November 13, 1832, settling in New South Wales, Australia ^[7]

The Pluck Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: In Deo fide
Motto Translation: Fidelity in God.

Citations +

^ The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X)
^ Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
^ Burke, John Bernard, The Roll of Battle Abbey. London: Edward Churton, 26, Holles Street, 1848, Print.
^ Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
^ "New York Passenger Arrival Lists (Ellis Island), 1892-1924," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:J646-BZN : 6 December 2014), Wm. Pluck, 06 Mar 1919; citing departure port Glasgow, Scotland, arrival port New York, ship name Oriana, NARA microfilm publication T715 and M237 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).
^ "New York Passenger Arrival Lists (Ellis Island), 1892-1924," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:J667-L53 : 6 December 2014), Frederick Pluck, 02 Aug 1920; citing departure port Southampton, arrival port New York, ship name Philadelphia, NARA microfilm publication T715 and M237 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).
^ State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2014, November 27) Andromeda voyage to New South Wales, Australia in 1832 with 186 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/andromeda/1832