Plunkett

Plunkett is a surname of Irish origin. It is an Anglicized form of a medieval Gaelic name and has been borne by several Irish families dating to the early modern period. The name is most common in Ireland and among the Irish diaspora, and over the centuries it has appeared in church, government, and legal contexts as members of various lineages pursued public roles.

Notable individuals bearing the name include Saint Oliver Plunkett (1625–1681), the Catholic Archbishop of Armagh who was executed during anti-C Catholic persecutions in England; he was canonized as a saint in 1975. Joseph Mary Plunkett (1889–1916) was a key participant in the Easter Rising of 1916 and was executed for his role in the rebellion. The Plunkett surname has also appeared in Irish genealogies and in the peerage or landed-gentry circles, reflecting its historical prominence in certain regions.

In addition to people, Plunkett is encountered in geographic and institutional names in Ireland and in other English-speaking countries. Such toponyms and organizations are often named after landowners or notable family members bearing the surname, contributing to its continued recognition in regional histories and heritage contexts.

Spelling variants of the name include Plunket, Plunkett being a common contemporary form. The name remains associated with Gaelic heritage and Irish history in both personal genealogies and cultural references.

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