This interesting name has three known origins. The first being topographic from the residence near a fence of living wood with intertwining branches, deriving from the Olde French "pleis" or the latin "plectere" meaning to "plait, weave or intertwine". The name may also be locational i.e. "dweller in the market place", deriving from the Medieval English "place" or the late latin "platea" meaning a "broad street". The name may also be a metonymic occupational one deriving from the Olde French "plaise" meaning a "plaice", and given to a seller of plaice or fish in general. In the modern idiom, the name is spelt Place or Plaice. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of William de la Place. which was dated 1276, in the "Hundred Rolls of Lincolnshire". during the reign of King Edward 1, known as "The Hammer of the Scots" 1272 - 1307. 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.

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