UK surname
A topographic surname referring to someone who lived on a flat or level area.
In the 1881 census there were 10 people recorded with the Plath surname, ranking it #32,243 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 10, ranked #37,599, down from #32,243 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Chellaston, Wolstanton and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Plath is 120 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has stayed broadly stable by 0.0%.
1881 census count
10
Ranked #32,243
Modern count
10
2016, ranked #37,599
Peak year
1861
120 bearers
Map years
1
1861 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Plath surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Plath surname density by area, 1861 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.
| Year | Period | Count | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1851 | historical | 3 | #32,890 |
| 1861 | historical | 120 | #18,255 |
| 1881 | historical | 10 | #32,243 |
| 1891 | historical | 98 | #24,313 |
| 1901 | historical | 32 | #30,501 |
| 1911 | historical | 20 | #31,288 |
| 1997 | modern | 7 | #37,533 |
| 1998 | modern | 8 | #37,334 |
| 1999 | modern | 11 | #36,917 |
| 2000 | modern | 13 | #36,635 |
| 2001 | modern | 12 | #36,612 |
| 2002 | modern | 11 | #36,780 |
| 2003 | modern | 12 | #36,715 |
| 2004 | modern | 14 | #36,648 |
| 2005 | modern | 14 | #36,730 |
| 2006 | modern | 12 | #37,014 |
| 2007 | modern | 13 | #36,990 |
| 2008 | modern | 12 | #37,143 |
| 2009 | modern | 12 | #37,230 |
| 2010 | modern | 12 | #37,307 |
| 2011 | modern | 11 | #37,397 |
| 2012 | modern | 9 | #37,614 |
| 2013 | modern | 9 | #37,653 |
| 2014 | modern | 8 | #37,806 |
| 2015 | modern | 9 | #37,684 |
| 2016 | modern | 10 | #37,599 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Chellaston, Wolstanton, London parishes, Manchester and Rochdale. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chellaston | Derbyshire |
| 2 | Wolstanton | Staffordshire |
| 3 | London parishes | London 3 |
| 4 | Manchester | Lancashire |
| 5 | Rochdale | Yorkshire, West Riding |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Plath surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Plath, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.
These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.
The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.
UK neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Plath surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Plath household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Plath is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Plath is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Plath, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Plath originates from Germany, where it first appeared in the 14th century. It is believed to be derived from the German word "platt," which means "flat" or "level." This suggests that the name may have been given to someone who lived in a flat or level area or had a physical characteristic related to being flat.
The earliest known record of the Plath surname dates back to 1365 in the town of Stralsund, in what is now northern Germany. The name is also found in historical documents from other parts of Germany, such as Saxony and Brandenburg, indicating its widespread use across the region.
In the 16th century, a notable figure with the Plath surname was Kaspar Plath, a German theologian and writer who lived from 1532 to 1592. He was a prominent figure in the Lutheran Church and authored several religious works.
Another early example of the Plath name can be found in the 17th century, with Johann Plath, a German composer and organist who lived from 1631 to 1696. He was known for his contributions to the development of Protestant church music.
Moving into the 18th century, there was Johann Plath, a German botanist and naturalist who lived from 1727 to 1793. He made significant contributions to the study of plants and their classification.
In more recent history, the Plath surname gained worldwide recognition through the American poet Sylvia Plath, who lived from 1932 to 1963. Her acclaimed works, including the novel "The Bell Jar" and the poetry collection "Ariel," have had a lasting impact on literature and the feminist movement.
Another notable figure with the Plath surname was Karl Plath, a German-American astronomer who lived from 1886 to 1958. He made important contributions to the study of stellar spectroscopy and the measurement of stellar distances.
While the Plath name originated in Germany, it has since spread to other parts of the world through migration and immigration. However, its roots can be traced back to the Germanic regions of Europe, where it has a long and rich history dating back to the Middle Ages.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Plath surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Middlesex leads with 7 Plaths recorded in 1881 and an index of 7.20x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Middlesex | 7 | 7.20x |
| Cheshire | 1 | 4.66x |
| Lancashire | 1 | 0.87x |
| Leicestershire | 1 | 9.27x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Islington London in Middlesex leads with 5 Plaths recorded in 1881 and an index of 53.02x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Islington London | 5 | 53.02x |
| Brereton Cum Smethwick | 1 | 5000.00x |
| Gorton | 1 | 91.74x |
| Leicester St Margaret | 1 | 38.02x |
| Poplar London | 1 | 54.35x |
| Tottenham | 1 | 64.52x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Plath surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Plath surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Plath households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Cattle Salesman | 1 |
| Drapers Assistant | 1 |
| Errand Girl | 1 |
| General Servant | 1 |
| I Mate | 1 |
| Laborer Ironwork | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 10 people were recorded with the Plath surname. That placed it at #32,243 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 10 in 2016. That gives Plath a modern rank of #37,599.
A topographic surname referring to someone who lived on a flat or level area.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Plath bearers relative to the surrounding population.
The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.