This very unusual name is also one which is known to researchers on the "I was there basis!" The origination is Welsh and the name derives from "Ap Lewis" ie: Son of Lewis and the name was created by the first recorded holder who simply wrote it down that way at the time of his marriage. There is no reason why this should not be correct, Pritchard ie: Ap Richard being such a transposition. In this case the Grandson of the first Mr Plews confided this information to the famous Victorian Researcher C W Bardsley in Circa 1870. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Thomas Plews which was dated 1792, Married Charlotte Boyce at St Georges, Hanover Square, London during the reign of King George 111, known as "Farmer George", 1760 - 1820. 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.