| ![Show Contents]() Plunked History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
The Irish already had a system for creating hereditary surnames established when the followers of Strongbow settled in eastern Ireland. Although there was relatively little friction between the two systems because they operated according to very similar principles, the Strongbownians frequently used local surnames. In Ireland, local surnames were almost unheard of, but in England they were probably the most common form of hereditary surname. Local surnames, such as Plunked, were taken from the name of a place or a geographical feature where the person lived, held land, or was born. The surname Plunked is derived from living in the settlement of Plouquenet in Ille-et-Vilaine in France. The surname Plunked belongs to the large category of Anglo-Norman habitation names, which are derived from pre-existing names for towns, villages, parishes, or farmsteads. Some sources indicated that the surname Plunked is a corruption of the Old French word blanchet, which means white. The Gaelic form of the surname Plunked is Pluincéid. Early Origins of the Plunked familyThe surname Plunked was first found in County Louth (Irish: Lú) the smallest county in Ireland, located on the East coast, in the Province of Leinster, where they were granted lands when they accompanied Strongbow, Earl of Pembroke, in the invasion of Ireland. "Little of certainty is to be gathered concerning this name before its appearance in Ireland. So early, however, as the 11th century, we find John Plukenet seated at Beaulieu, co. Meath: and from him springs the distinguished Irish families of the name, ennobled under the titles of Fingall Dunsany, and Louth." 1 "A nephew of Lord Plugenet [in England] founded the family still existing in Ireland, though their pedigree declares that they are of Danish origin, and were seated at Bewley (Beaulieu) in co. Louth as early as the eleventh century. " 2 Richard Plunkett (c.1340-1393) was an eminent Irish jurist and statesman who held the offices of Lord Chief Justice of Ireland and Lord Chancellor of Ireland. His descendants held the titles Baron Dunsany, Baron Killeen and Earl of Fingall. "The younger branch was the more distinguished of the two. 'These 'Plunkets in Ireland,' says Camden, ' have been very eminent ever since Christopher Plunket (a person of great valour and wisdom who was deputy to Richard Duke of York, Viceroy in Henry VI. time) was raised to the dignity of Baron of Killin, which came to him by his wife, as heir to the family of the Cusacks.' Sir Christopher was Sheriff of Meath prior to 1442, and had married the only child of Sir Lucas de Cusack, Lord of Killeen, Dunsany, and Gerardstown in that county. All his three sons founded families. The eldest was the ancestor of the Earls of Fingall ; the second, Sir Christopher, was the first Lord Dunsany ; and the third, Sir Thomas, had to wife the heiress of Rathmore, which remained the home of his descendants. His son Sir Alexander 'a person of great account,' was appointed Chancellor of Ireland in 1492." 2 Early History of the Plunked familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Plunked research. Another 114 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1182, 1410, 1440, 1445, 1461, 1463, 1492, 1503, 1519, 1555, 1602, 1629, 1644, 1649, 1668, 1680, 1681 and 1920 are included under the topic Early Plunked History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Plunked Spelling VariationsMedieval scribes and church officials often spelled the name Plunked as it sounded to them. As a result, the name Plunked, over the ages, has attained many spelling variations including Plunkett, Plunket, Plunkitt, Plunkit, Plunked, Plunkedd, Plunkidd and many more. Early Notables of the Plunked familyNotable amongst the family up to this time was Sir Christopher Plunkett, 1st Baron of Dunsany (1410-1463); Sir Thomas Plunket (c.1440-1519), a wealthy Irish landowner, lawyer and jurist, Chief Baron of the Irish Exchequer and Chief Justice of the Irish Common Pleas; Alexander Plunket (died 1503), appointed Lord Chancellor of Ireland by King Henry VII of England in 1492; Oliver Plunkett, 1st Baron Louth (d. c. 1555), an Irish peer; and Christopher Plunkett, 2nd Earl of Fingall (died 1649).Patrick Plunket (died 1668), was 9th Baron of Dunsany, co. Meath. An ancestor, Sir Christopher Plunket (d. 1445), was active in the Irish...
Another 109 words (8 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Plunked Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Plunked familyIreland experienced a dramatic decrease in its population during the 19th century. This was in a great measure, a response to England's imperialistic policies. Hunger and disease took the lives of many Irish people and many more chose to leave their homeland to escape the horrific conditions. North America with its promise of work, freedom, and land was an extremely popular destination for Irish families. For those families that survived the journey, all three of these things were often attained through much hard work and perseverance. Research into early immigration and passenger lists revealed many immigrants bearing the name Plunked: James Plunkett, who came to Virginia in 1655; Oliver Plunket, who settled in Wilmington N.C. in 1804; James, Bernard, John, Patrick, Phillip, Thomas Plunket, who all arrived in Philadelphia between 1840 and 1860.
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: Festina lente
Motto Translation: Be quick without impetuosity.
- Burke, John Bernard, The Roll of Battle Abbey. London: Edward Churton, 26, Holles Street, 1848, Print.
- Cleveland, Dutchess of The Battle Abbey Roll with some Account of the Norman Lineages. London: John Murray, Abermarle Street, 1889. Print. Volume 2 of 3
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Ireland
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