This is a rare and ancient English surname, and one of the first ever recorded. It originates from the Olde English pre 7th century word 'planke' and describes a narrow foot bridge. The relative rarity of the surname suggested that it may be locational from a now 'lost' village, and research has discovered that there is a small hamlet called Plank Lane near the town of Wigan in Lancashire. 'Bridges' were very rare in ancient times, in fact the word bridge originally described a causeway not an arch, and such bridges as were built were usually for commercial traffic. Persons on foot were largely expected to fend for themselves! The first recording of this surname is belived to be that of Maud de la Plank in the county of Wiltshire in the year 1288. This descriptive surname suggests that Maud was the bridge owner or keeper, who no doubt extracted tolls from those wishing to cross. Other recordings from the medieval period include Matilda de la Plank of Sussex in 1298, and five centuries later in 1788, William Plank and Susanna Wills were married at St Georges chapel, Hanover Square, Westminster