Plummer (surname)

The surname Plummer is of English origin, with several possible etymological roots. It is considered an occupational surname.

• One possibility is that Plummer derives from the Old English word "plummer," meaning a worker in lead, such as a plumber who works with lead pipes and roofing. This is the most common and widely accepted origin. The word "plummer" itself comes from the Latin "plumbarius," relating to "plumbum," the Latin word for lead.

• Another possibility suggests the surname may have originated as a topographic name for someone who lived near a plum tree, derived from the Old English "plume" or "plum."

• A third possible origin relates to the Old English personal name "Plum," used as a short form of various compound names beginning with "Plum-" (such as Plumbald).

The surname is relatively common in England and has spread to other English-speaking countries, including the United States, Canada, and Australia, primarily due to migration.

Early records of the surname can be found in various historical documents, such as census records, parish registers, and property deeds.

Variations of the name include Plumber, Plummore, and occasionally Plumer.