This interesting name is locational but has undergone several changes from its early origins. It derives either from the Cornish village of "Plunent" (now Pelynt), first recorded in the 1086, Domesday Book. Later in 1229 the village is found as "Plenint" and in 1275 as "Plenant". The original translation was from "plou-nent" - the parish of St. Nonna, a six century abbess. The alternative origin is also locational and derives from the Lancashire village of "Pylin" (now Pilling), from the Celtic "pyll" - meaning pool or smalle lake. The name development with its "linik" recordings includes Robert Pellant who married Mary Smith at the church of St. Giles, Cripplegate, London on May 13th 1816 in the reign of George 111, and Abraham Pellant, who married Ellen Shaw by civil licence at Putney on May 31st 1864. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of William Pelleng, which was dated July 30th 1694, a witness at the church of St. Dunstan's in the East, London, during the reign of King William 111 of Orange and England, 1689 - 1702. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.