What's so difficult about saying "von Ploennies"?

Origin of name: According to Reitstap's Armorial General, the origin of the family name of von Ploennies (Ploennies) is Germanic. With only a minor difference in spelling, the name is listed on the rolls of the Teutonic Knights of Pomerania in the twelfth century. In achievement in the field of military enterprise, the name is listed in both West Prussia and in Austria in the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries. The armorial bearings to the name were granted in the fourteenth century. The names Plönnies or Ploennies are the same. The "oe" was used in modern times because it is easier to type on a typewriter.

Determining the proper pronunciation of the family name has been a challenge to say the least. It's hard enough for most people to spell it, let alone say it, without traumatizing them for life. Personally, I remember saying my last name at least 2 different ways over the years. After taking 3 years of German in High School, I still wasn't sure as to the proper pronunciation.

I have noticed 3 common areas where the name is usually mispronounced. von Ploennies

"von" For whatever reason, people seem to assume or mistake the "von" for a "van". Go figure. Not much that can be done to correct that. Of course, the correct pronunciation of "von" would be:

"oe". I have heard it pronounced as "ee"(eat), "ay"(play), "oh"(oh!), "eh"(head), and other ways that seem to defy any spelling of the name.

For the most part though, here is the general rule for pronouncing "oe" or ö (o with umlaut):

ö, oe	ö: something like the French "eu" or the British "ur" in the word "burn", e.g. Schoenberg = Schönberg = shön-berg (click on speaker to listen)
ö, oe	"oe" in "boeuf" = English "bull"

There is really no English equivalent to the "oe". My closest comparison would be something between the "oo" in "look" and "ew" and in "pew" without as much "w" pronunciation.

I have not found any irregularities in the German language that would say the oe should be pronounced otherwise. If someone knows of anything relevant please let me know.

"ies" also seems to throw some people for whatever reason, but it is pronounced just like most other words ending in "ies" in the English language. (e.g. puppies, cookies, piggies)

Put it all together and you get:

So in closing, it's probably not practical to pronounce the name properly here in the U.S. because it's too wierd for the run of the mill American. But between you and me, hopefully there is no reason to wonder further.