Contents [hide]

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

United States Canada Australia New Zealand West Indies

Contemporary Notables Historic Events Related Stories Motto Suggested Reading Citations

Fisher History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Germany

The German state of Saxony, where the distinguished surname Fisher arose, is renowned for both its beauty, industry, and economic power. However, in the medieval era, Germany was fragmented and inhabited by numerous Barbarian tribes, who fought amongst themselves for control of the land. The ancient dukedom of Saxony derived its name from the Germanic tribe name the Saxons who inhabited the territory after the fall of the Roman Empire.

Early Origins of the Fisher family

The surname Fisher was first found in Saxony, where the name contributed greatly to the development of an emerging nation which would later play a large role in the tribal and national conflicts of the area. In later years the name branched into many houses, each playing a significant role in the local social and political affairs.

Early History of the Fisher family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Fisher research. Another 117 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1646, 1656, 1691, 1716, 1720, 1723, 1733, 1745, 1766, 1775, 1778, 1779, 1783, 1784, 1788, 1816 and 1825 are included under the topic Early Fisher History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Fisher Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Fischer, Ficher, Fisscher, Fisher, Fissher, Fisch, Fish, Fische and many more.

Early Notables of the Fisher family

Prominent bearers of the family name Fisher at this time were Johann Fischer (1646-1720) was a composer in the French style, born 1733 at Freiburg; Johann Fischer (1646-1716), a German violinist, keyboardist and composer of the Baroque era; Edwin Fischer was a Swiss pianist, who was famous for his interpretations of Bach and Beethoven. Johann Bernhard Fischer von Berlach (1656-1723) and Johann Michael Fischer (1691-1766) exerted great influence on the Baroque architecture of the time. Fischer was a family of singers of the 18th and 19th centuries. The founder was Ludwig, a Bass, of whom Otto Jahn speaks as 'an artist...
Another 103 words (7 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Fisher Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Fisher World Ranking

In the United States, the name Fisher is the 113^rd most popular surname with an estimated 191,499 people with that name. 1 However, in Canada, the name Fisher is ranked the 164^th most popular surname with an estimated 21,163 people with that name. 2 And in Newfoundland, Canada, the name Fisher is the 354^th popular surname with an estimated 131 people with that name. 3 Australia ranks Fisher as 102^nd with 25,685 people. 4 New Zealand ranks Fisher as 143^rd with 3,453 people. 5 The United Kingdom ranks Fisher as 92^nd with 50,646 people. 6 South Africa ranks Fisher as 525^th with 13,540 people. 7

Fisher migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Fisher Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Mr. Robert Fisher, who arrived in Virginia aboard the ship "Elizabeth" in 1611 8
Mrs. Katherine Fisher, who arrived in Virginia in 1621 aboard the ship "Marmaduke" 8
Henry Fisher, who settled in Virginia in 1623 with his wife and children
Edward Fisher, who arrived in Virginia in 1620 aboard the ship "Jonathan" 9
Mrs. Sarah Fisher, who arrived in Virginia in 1624 aboard the ship "Warwick" 8
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Fisher Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Dann Fisher, who landed in Virginia in 1701 9
Simon Fisher, who arrived in New England in 1709 with his wife
Edward Fisher, who landed in Boston, Massachusetts in 1712 9
Caleb Fisher, who arrived in New England in 1716 9
Fleny Fisher, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1731 9
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Fisher Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Alexander Fisher, aged 27, who arrived in New York in 1800 9
Eliz Fisher, who landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1801 9
C Fisher, who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1804 9
Fredk Fisher, who landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1806 9
Alexander Duff Fisher, aged 36, who landed in New York in 1812 9
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Fisher Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Frangika Fisher, aged 49, who arrived in New York, NY in 1900 9

Fisher migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Fisher Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Mr. John Fisher U.E. who settled in Midland District [Lennox & Addington], Ontario c. 1775 he served in the Royal Regiment of New York 10
Mrs. Mary Fisher U.E. who settled in Adolphus Town [Adolphustown], Ontario c. 1775 10
Mr. Lewis Fisher U.E., "Ludowig" who settled in Canada c. 1783 10
Mr. Philip Fisher U.E. who arrived at Port Roseway [Shelburne], Nova Scotia on October 26, 1783 was passenger number 5 aboard the ship "HMS Clinton", picked up on September 20, 1783 at East River, New York 10
Mr.CounrodFisher U.E. who arrived at Port Roseway [Shelburne], Nova Scotia on December 13, 1783 was passenger number 409 aboard the ship "HMS Clinton", picked up on November 14, 1783 at East River, New York 10
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Fisher Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Alex Fisher, who landed in Canada in 1817
Donald Fisher, who arrived in Canada in 1817
Duncan Fisher, who arrived in Canada in 1829
Sarah Fisher, aged 20, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the brig "Silestria" from Belfast, Ireland
Lillyl Fisher, aged 50, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Susan" in 1838
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Fisher migration to Australia +

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

Fisher Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. George Fisher, British Convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Earl Spencer" in May 1813, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 11
Mr. John Fisher, English convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for life, transported aboard the "Baring" in April 1815, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 12
Mr. Joseph Fisher, English convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for life, transported aboard the "Elizabeth" in May 1816, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 13
Mr. Frederick G. J. Fisher, (Frederick George James), (b. 1792), aged 24, English farmer who was convicted in Surrey, England for 14 years for forgery, transported aboard the "Atlas" on 16th January 1816, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he died in 1826 14
Mr. Edward Fisher, British Convict who was convicted in Lancaster, Lancashire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Batavia" in October 1817, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 15
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Fisher 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:

Fisher Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Francis Fisher, who landed in Auckland, New Zealand in 1840
Isaac Fisher, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840
James Fisher, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840
William Fisher, aged 22, a plasterer, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Catherine Stewart Forbes" in 1841
Eliza Fisher, aged 26, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Catherine Stewart Forbes" in 1841
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Fisher migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. 16

Fisher Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century

Mr. Robert Fisher, (b. 1625), aged 10, British settler travelling aboard the ship "The Dorset" arriving in Barbados in September 1635 17
Mr. Edward Fisher, (b. 1608), aged 27, British settler traveling aboard the ship "Paul of London" arriving in St Christopher (Saint Kitts) in 1635 18

Contemporary Notables of the name Fisher (post 1700) +

Leonard Everett Fisher (1924-2024), American artist best known for illustrating children's books
Anna L. Fisher M.D. (b. 1949), née Sims, American chemist, emergency physician and a former NASA astronaut with 192 hours in space, the first mother to fly in space
Douglas Gene "Doug" Fisher (1947-2023), American NFL linebacker who played for two seasons for the Pittsburgh Steelers (1969-1971)
Ada M. Fisher (1947-2022), American physician and political candidate from Salisbury, North Carolina, Republican National Committeewoman for the state of North Carolina
James Lee Fisher (1931-2022), American academic administrator and psychologist, 9th President of Towson State University (now Towson University) from 1969 to 1978
Lester E. Fisher (1921-2021), American zoologist, known as Chicago's Dr. Doolittle and Mr. Chimps
Carrie Frances Fisher (1956-2016), American novelist, screenwriter, actress and lecturer most famous for her portrayal of Princess Leia in the original Star Wars trilogy; her mother Debbie Reynolds died the day after her 19
William Frederick Fisher M.D. (b. 1946), American physician and a former NASA astronaut with over 170 hours in space 20
Zachary Fisher (1910-1999), American philanthropist and recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom
Doris Fisher (1915-2003), American singer and songwriter
... (Another 259 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Fisher family +

Empress of Ireland

Mr. Samuel Charles Fisher (d. 1914), British Bell Boy from United Kingdom who worked aboard the Empress of Ireland and died in the sinking 21
Mr. Wilfred Fisher (1891-1914), American Second Class Passenger from Chicago, Illinois, United States who was traveling aboard the Empress of Ireland and died in the sinking 22
Mrs. Margaret Fisher (1867-1914), née Lightfoot American Second Class Passenger from Chicago, Illinois, United States who was traveling aboard the Empress of Ireland and died in the sinking 22

Halifax Explosion

Master Carl Frederick Fisher (1917-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 23
Mrs. Dora Fisher (1892-1917), "Edna" Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 23

HMAS Sydney II

Mr. John William Fisher (1903-1941), Australian Leading Cook (S) from Granville, New South Wales, Australia, who sailed into battle aboard HMAS Sydney II and died in the sinking 24

HMS Hood

Mr. Leslie Fisher (b. 1911), English Blacksmith 3rd Class serving for the Royal Navy from Burton-on-Trent, Staffordshire, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 25

HMS Prince of Wales

Mr. George Frederick Fisher, British Signal Boatswain, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking 26

HMS Repulse

Mr. William H Fisher, British Able Bodied Seaman, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse (1941) and survived the sinking 27

HMS Royal Oak

George William Fisher, British Able Seaman with the Royal Navy aboard the HMS Royal Oak (1939) when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he survived the sinking 28
James Bailey Fisher (1908-1939), British Leading Stoker with the Royal Navy aboard the HMS Royal Oak (1939) when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he died in the sinking 28
Billie Leonard Fisher (d. 1939), British Able Seaman with the Royal Navy aboard the HMS Royal Oak (1939) when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he died in the sinking 28

Mount Mulligan Mine

William Albert Fisher, British-born, Australian coal miner who was killed in the Mount Mulligan Mine explosion in 1921

RMS Lusitania

Dr. Howard Lowrie Fisher, American 1st Class Passenger from Washington, District of Columbia, USA, who sailed aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and survived the sinking 29

SS Atlantic

Cyrus M. Fisher, American who was traveling aboard the ship "SS Atlantic" when it struck rocks off Nova Scotia in 1873, died in the sinking
Mrs. Fisher, American who was traveling aboard the ship "SS Atlantic" when it struck rocks off Nova Scotia in 1873, died in the sinking
Miss Fisher, American who was traveling aboard the ship "SS Atlantic" when it struck rocks off Nova Scotia in 1873, died in the sinking

SS Newfoundland

Mr. John Fisher (b. 1866), Newfoundlander from Bonavista, who on the 30th March 1914 he was part of the Seal Crew of the "SS Newfoundland" leaving the ship to intercept the Stephano which took him to the hunting grounds, he disembarked to begin sealing, but was caught in a thickening storm, attempting to return to the Newfoundland he and the 132 crew made camp for two days the sealers were stranded on the ice in a blizzard attempting to return to the ship, he survived

USS Arizona

Mr. Delbert Ray Fisher, American Seaman First Class from Wyoming, 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 30
Mr. James Anderson Fisher, American Mess Attendant First Class from Virginia, 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 30
Mr. Robert Ray Fisher, American Seaman Second Class from California, 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 30

Victoria steamboat disaster

Emma Jane Fisher, Canadian passenger who was killed in the Victoria steamboat disaster when the boat capsized in 1881

The Fisher 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: Vorwärts in Treu und Wahreit
Motto Translation: Forward in faithful and truth

Citations +

"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
The order of Common Surnames in 1955 in Newfoundland retrieved on 20th October 2021 (retrieved from Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland by E.R. Seary corrected edition ISBN 0-7735-1782-0)
"Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
"Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
"UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
"Most Common Last Names in South Africa." Forebears, https://forebears.io/south-africa/surnames
Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's Retrieved January 6th 2023, retrieved from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
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)
Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 8th September 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/earl-spencer
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 16th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/baring
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 1st March 2022). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/elizabeth
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 14th July 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/atlas
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 30th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/batavia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
Pilgrim Ship Lists Early 1600's retrieved 29th September 2021. Retrieved from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's (Retrieved October 4th 2021 from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
Carrie Fisher. (Retrieved 2011, February 7) Carrie Fisher. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carrie_Fisher
NASA Astronauts Homepage. (Retrieved 2010, September 27) William Fisher. Retrieved from http://www.jsc.nasa.gov/Bios/htmlbios/fisher-wf.html
Commemoration Empress of Ireland 2014. (Retrieved 2014, June 17) . Retrieved from http://www.empress2014.ca/seclangen/listepsc1.html
Commemoration Empress of Ireland 2014. (Retrieved 2014, June 16) . Retrieved from http://www.empress2014.ca/seclangen/listepsc1.html
Halifax Explosion Book of Remembrance | Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. (Retrieved 2014, June 23) . Retrieved from https://maritimemuseum.novascotia.ca/what-see-do/halifax-explosion/halifax-explosion-book-remembrance
HMAS Sydney II, Finding Sydney Foundation - Roll of Honour. (Retrieved 2014, April 24) . Retrieved from http://www.findingsydney.com/roll.asp
H.M.S. Hood Association-Battle Cruiser Hood: Crew Information - H.M.S. Hood Rolls of Honour, Men Lost in the Sinking of H.M.S. Hood, 24th May 1941. (Retrieved 2016, July 15) . Retrieved from http://www.hmshood.com/crew/memorial/roh_24may41.htm
HMS Prince of Wales Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listprincecrew.html
HMS Repulse Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listrepulsecrew.html
Ships hit by U-boats crew list HMS Royal Oak (08) - (Retrieved 2018 February, 9th) - retrieved from https://uboat.net/allies/merchants/crews/ship68.html
Lusitania Passenger List - The Lusitania Resource. (Retrieved 2014, March 6) . Retrieved from http://www.rmslusitania.info/lusitania-passenger-list/
Pearl Harbour: USS Arizona Casualties List Pearl Harbour December 7, 1941. (Retrieved 2018, July 31st). Retrieved from http://pearl-harbor.com/arizona/casualtylist.html