Contents [hide]

Fischer History Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables World Ranking

Ireland United States Canada Australia New Zealand

Contemporary Notables Historic Events Related Stories Motto Citations

Fischer History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Germany
Ireland

The name Fischer came to England with the ancestors of the Fischer family in the Norman Conquest in 1066. The surname Fischer is for a person who worked as a fisherman. Looking back even further, we found the name was originally derived from the Old English word fischer. 1

"This seems to be a sufficiently obvious derivation from the calling of a fisherman, especially since ' fisher ' occurs in our version of the New Testament in this sense; and Leland in his Itinerary usually describes the smaller sea-coast places as "fischar tounes." In Domesday [Book] and other early records, we meet with the forms Piscator, Le Pecheur, etc." 2

"In the time of King Stephen the family of Fitz-Urse (a name which in after days degenerated into Fitzour, Fyshour, and Fisher) became possessed of the great manor of Williton; they had their descent from that Urso, or Ursus, who in the time of William the Conqueror held lands in Grittleton, and other parts of Wiltshire, of the Abbey of Glastonbury. The first of the name who enjoyed this manor was Richard Fitz Urse, who died about 14 Hen. II., leaving issue three sons ; Sir Reginald, Sir Robert, and Walter. Sir Reginald, the eldest, had his residence at Williton, in a house which he afterwards gave to his brother Robert, with a moiety of this manor. This Sir Reginald was among the courtiers standing in the presence chamber at Bur, near Bayeux, a few days before Christmas 1170, when the King gave audience to the three prelates that had been excommunicated by Thomas a Beckett, and came to lay their complaint before him." 3

Early Origins of the Fischer family

The surname Fischer was first found in Essex, where Richard le Fischer was listed in the Feet of Fines in 1263. Years later, Ralph de Fisshar’ was listed in the Subsidy Rolls for Sussex in 1296. 4

In early records the name was often listed in Latin as "piscator" as seen by this record found in Scotland: Robert dominus Piscator, burgess of Perth, 1292. The Latin version quickly deferred to a more English version when "Michael Fysser who appears in record in 1344 as bailie of Perth is probably the Michaele Fisser recorded in 1338. " 5

Early History of the Fischer family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Fischer research. Another 185 words (13 lines of text) covering the years 1455, 1488, 1513, 1514, 1603, 1605, 1613, 1616, 1623, 1655, 1661, 1665, 1683, 1693, 1698, 1702, 1705, 1826, 1827, 1890 and 1956 are included under the topic Early Fischer History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Fischer Spelling Variations

Anglo-Norman names are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. When the Normans became the ruling people of England in the 11th century, they introduced a new language into a society where the main languages of Old and later Middle English had no definite spelling rules. These languages were more often spoken than written, so they blended freely with one another. Contributing to this mixing of tongues was the fact that medieval scribes spelled words according to sound, ensuring that a person's name would appear differently in nearly every document in which it was recorded. The name has been spelled Fisher, Fischer and others.

Early Notables of the Fischer family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Sir Thomas Fisher; Sir Robert Fisher, 1st Baronet of Great Packington, Warwickshire; and his son, Sir Clement Fisher, 2nd Baronet (1613-1683), an English politician, Member of Parliament for Coventry (1661); Samuel Fisher (1605-1665) was an English Quaker controversialist from Northampton; Payne Fisher (1616-1693), an English...
Another 53 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Fischer Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Fischer World Ranking

In the United States, the name Fischer is the 554^th most popular surname with an estimated 52,227 people with that name. 6 However, in Canada, the name Fischer is ranked the 783^rd most popular surname with an estimated 6,876 people with that name. 7 And in France, the name Fischer is the 271^st popular surname with an estimated 14,233 people with that name. 8 Australia ranks Fischer as 744^th with 5,222 people. 9

Migration of the Fischer family to Ireland

Some of the Fischer family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 57 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Fischer migration to the United States +

For many English families, the political and religious disarray that plagued their homeland made the frontiers of the New World an attractive prospect. Thousands migrated, aboard cramped disease-ridden ships. They arrived sick, poor, and hungry, but were welcomed in many cases with far greater opportunity than at home in England. Many of these hardy settlers went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations in which they landed. Among early immigrants bearing the name Fischer or a variant listed above were:

Fischer Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Johannes Fischer, who landed in America in 1693 10

Fischer Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

A Sybilla Fischer, who landed in America in 1701 10
Johannes Fischer, aged 27, who landed in New York, NY in 1708 10
John Fischer, who arrived in New York, NY in 1708 10
Sebastian Fischer, who landed in New York in 1709 10
Peter Fischer, who landed in New York, NY in 1710 10
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Fischer Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Johann Heinr Fischer, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1801 10
John, Fischer Sr., aged 40, who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1802 10
John G Fischer, aged 17, who landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1802 10
Cristian W Fischer, aged 2, who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1802 10
Catharine. Fischer, aged 11, who landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1802 10
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Fischer Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Jacob Fischer, aged 30, who arrived in New York, NY in 1901 10
Eva Fischer, aged 2, who landed in New York, NY in 1901 10
Lydia Fischer, aged 3, who arrived in New York, NY in 1901 10
Magdalena Fischer, aged 25, who arrived in America in 1901 10
Bernhard Julius Fischer, who arrived in Alabama in 1913 10

Fischer migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Fischer Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Bernhard Fischer, who arrived in Canada in 1777
Caspar Fischer, who arrived in Canada in 1783

Fischer migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Fischer Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Franz Fischer, aged 28, a labourer, who arrived in South Australia in 1848 aboard the ship "Victoria" 11
Anthony Fischer, who arrived in South Australia in 1848 aboard the ship "Alfred" 12
Johann Julias Angus Fischer, who arrived in South Australia in 1849 aboard the ship "Steinwaerder" 13
August Fischer, aged 42, who arrived in South Australia in 1857 aboard the ship "Victoria"

Fischer migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Fischer Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Dominic Fischer, aged 40, a farm labourer, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Rakaia" in 1879
Lena Fischer, aged 39, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Rakaia" in 1879
Adolf Fischer, aged 20, a domestic servant, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Rakaia" in 1879
Julia Fischer, aged 11, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Rakaia" in 1879
Jacob Fischer, aged 44, a farm labourer, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Rakaia" in 1879
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Fischer (post 1700) +

Robert James "Bobby" Fischer (1943-2008), American born chess Grandmaster who in 1972 became the only US-born chessplayer to become the official World Chess Champion
Carl Fischer (1924-2023), American art director and autodidact magazine photographer for Esquire and other magazines
Carl Fischer (1925-2023), American photographer, best known for his covers for Esquire magazine including images of Muhammad Ali pierced by arrows and Andy Warhol falling into a giant can of tomato soup
Edmond Henri Fischer (1920-2021), American-Swiss biochemist who was co-recipient of the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1992, the oldest living Nobel Prize laureate
William Charles "Bill" Fischer (1930-2018), American Major Major League Baseball pitcher who played from 1956 to 1964
Alfred George Fischer (1920-2017), German-born, American geologist, a leading scientist in the Deep Sea Drilling Project
Jack David Fischer (b. 1974), American test pilot and a NASA astronaut candidate 14
Jenna Fischer (b. 1974), Emmy Award-nominated American actress
Donald P. Fischer, American Democratic Party politician, Postmaster at Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, 1961-73 (acting, 1961-64) 15
David Joseph Fischer (b. 1939), American politician, U.S. Ambassador to Seychelles, 1982-85 15
... (Another 76 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Fischer family +

Bismarck

Paul Fischer (1920-1941), German Matrosengefreiter who served aboard the German Battleship Bismarck during World War II when it was sunk heading to France; he died in the sinking 16
Reinhard Fischer (1922-1941), German Matrose V who served aboard the German Battleship Bismarck during World War II when it was sunk heading to France; he died in the sinking 16
Kurt Fischer (1920-1941), German Maschinengefreiter who served aboard the German Battleship Bismarck during World War II when it was sunk heading to France; he died in the sinking 16
Karl Fischer (1921-1941), German Maschinengefreiter who served aboard the German Battleship Bismarck during World War II when it was sunk heading to France; he died in the sinking 16
Herbert Fischer (1920-1941), German Signalgefreiter who served aboard the German Battleship Bismarck during World War II when it was sunk heading to France; he died in the sinking 16
... (Another 1 entries are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

RMS Titanic

Mr. Eberhard Thelander Fischer (d. 1912), aged 18, Swedish Third Class passenger from BjorkebergaBjörkeberga, Skåne who sailed aboard the RMS Titanic and died in the sinking 17

USS Arizona

Mr. Leslie Henry Fischer, American Seaman First Class from Washington, USA working aboard the ship "USS Arizona" when she sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941, he died in the sinking 18

The Fischer Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Respice finem
Motto Translation: Regard the end.

Citations +

Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
Cleveland, Dutchess of The Battle Abbey Roll with some Account of the Norman Lineages. London: John Murray, Abermarle Street, 1889. Print. Volume 3 of 3
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
"Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
http://www.journaldesfemmes.com/nom-de-famille/nom/
"Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) VICTORIA 1848. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1848Victoria.htm
State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) ALFRED 1848. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1848Alfred.htm
State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) STEINWARDER 1849 aka STEINWAERDER. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1849Steinwarder.htm
NASA Astronauts Homepage. (Retrieved 2011, January 18) Jack Fischer. Retrieved from http://www.jsc.nasa.gov/Bios/htmlbios/fischer-jack.html
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, November 24) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
Bismarck & Tirpitz Class - Crew List Bismarck. (Retrieved 2018, February 06). Retrieved from https://www.bismarck-class.dk/bismarck/crew/bismarck_crew.html#crew_details
Titanic Passenger List - Titanic Facts. (Retrieved 2016, July 13) . Retrieved from http://www.titanicfacts.net/titanic-passenger-list.html
Pearl Harbour: USS Arizona Casualties List Pearl Harbour December 7, 1941. (Retrieved 2018, July 31st). Retrieved from http://pearl-harbor.com/arizona/casualtylist.html