Explore the Family Name Plaster
The meaning of Plaster
1. English and North German: metonymic occupational name for a plasterer, from Middle English, Middle Low German plaster (from Latin emplastrum ‘(wound) plaster’ (originally a paste), from Greek emplastron, a derivative of emplassein ‘to shape or form’; the term was carried over into building terminology to mean ‘bonding agent’). 2. English: variant from a common pronunciation of Plastow, a habitational name from any of various places called Plaistow (in East London, Derbyshire, Sussex, and elsewhere), from Old English plegestōw ‘place where people gather for sport or play’. This can also be a variant of Plaisted (through interchangeable use of the Old English elements stōw and stede, both meaning ‘place’, in earlier times). 3. Jewish (Ashkenazic): from German Pflaster ‘(street) pavement’.
Dictionary of American Family Names, 2nd edition, © Oxford University Press, 2022.
How common is the last name Plaster in the United States?
According to the Decennial U.S. Census data, the surname Plaster has seen a slight increase in popularity between 2000 and 2010. The ranking of this surname went up from 11,910 to 11,829 with a positive change of 0.68%. In terms of count, there was a 9.93% increase, growing from 2,407 in 2000 to 2,646 in 2010. The proportion per 100k also increased by 1.12%, indicating that the use of this surname is increasing albeit slowly.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #11,910 | #11,829 | 0.68% |
| Count | 2,407 | 2,646 | 9.93% |
| Proportion per 100k | 0.89 | 0.9 | 1.12% |
Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Plaster
The Decennial U.S. Census data also provides interesting insights into the ethnic identity associated with the surname Plaster. The data indicates a significant increase in individuals identifying as Asian/Pacific Islander and Black holding this surname, with an increase of 133.33% and 345.45% respectively between 2000 and 2010. Individuals identifying as Hispanic also saw a notable increase, with a rise of 76.62%. However, the largest ethnicity group, White, saw a decrease of 2.54%, while the American Indian and Alaskan Native category decreased by 9.13%. The Two or More Races category remained relatively stable with a minuscule decrease of 0.56%.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| White | 93.73% | 91.35% | -2.54% |
| Hispanic | 1.54% | 2.72% | 76.62% |
| American Indian and Alaskan Native | 2.41% | 2.19% | -9.13% |
| Two or More Races | 1.79% | 1.78% | -0.56% |
| Black | 0.33% | 1.47% | 345.45% |
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 0.21% | 0.49% | 133.33% |