Plaster Family History

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’).

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).

Jewish (Ashkenazic): from German Pflaster ‘(street) pavement’.