A dialectual transposition from the Olde Welsh - Ap Plethyn, the modern spelling is essentially a North-Eastern variation. The original meaning was "the son of Bledena", a pre 10th Century personal name. In the modern idiom, the name has at least seven spelling variations, including Pleven, Plevin, Plevins, Pleavin, Blevin(s), Blevin etc. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Blepgent. which was dated 1063, The Anglo Saxon Chronicles, Durham. during the reign of King Edward, the Confessor, 1042 - 1066. 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.