Fisher (surname)


Fisher is an English occupational name for one who obtained a living by fishing. The surname was also given to someone who lived close to a fish weir on a river. It is therefore a topographical type surname as well as an occupational type surname. In Ireland it is the anglicized form of Gaelic Ó Bradáin 'descendant of Bradán', a personal name meaning ‘salmon’. This name was sometimes translated into English as Salmon or Fisher. The Celtic name Mac an Iascair in Ireland or MacInesker in Scotland also translates to Fisher. The German version of the surname is Fischer, the Dutch version is Visser and the Italian version is Pescatore - which is derived from the Latin surname Piscator. The Fisher motto is "Respice finem" which means "Regard the End".

History

The version of the surname spelt as Fischer was first recorded in Essex in 1263 when Richard le Fischer was recorded in the Feet of Fines. Surnames were created in England at that time due to the introduction of personal taxes known at that time as Poll Tax. Versions of the surname were extensively recorded shortly after this throughout Europe and included the surnames de Fisshar’ in 1296 and Fysser in 1344. Church records in London include the marriage of Annis Fisher in 1549.

Present day

The surname Fisher is widely found throughout the world today. In the UK, it is the 94th most common surname. For every million people in the UK, approximately 1 208 have the surname Fisher. The surname Fischer is the fourth most popular surname in Germany.

Notable people

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