Fleisher History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Israel

Etymology of Fleisher

What does the name Fleisher mean?

One cannot simply look at the etymology of a Jewish name to truly understand the origins. Rather understanding the vast historical context along with the name will guide you. However, it does make Jewish surnames extremely difficult to trace back to their origins.

Jewish surnames encompass diverse languages, and situational experiences. And attempting to translate words proves to be a challenge as well without context.

An example would be the German name Schatzmann which means ‘treasurer’, however if used as a Jewish surname, it would mean "shaliah tzibbur - a leader in prayers." 1

The Ashkenazic Jewish surname Fleisher is an occupational surname. It comes from the German word "flescher," which meant 'flesh' or 'meat.' Butchers often were thus named. The butchers of the Jewish ghettos of medieval Europe, acted as an unofficial army, as they were familiar with handling knives and axes.

Fleisher Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Fleischer, Fleisch, Fleischer, Fleisher, Flescher, Flaisher, Flajszer, Fleischner, Fleishner, Fleshner, Fleishmann, Fleischman, Fleishman, Fleischmann, Fleishhacker, Fleischhacker and many more.

Fleisher Ranking

In the United States, the name Fleisher is the 11,555^th most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 2

Fleisher migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Fleisher Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Johannes Fleisher, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1750 3

Fleisher Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Benjamin Fleisher was naturalized in Philadelphia in 1837
Anna Fleisher, aged 25, who arrived in New York in 1854 3
Josia Fleisher, aged 19, who landed in New York in 1854 3
Leopold Fleisher, aged 24, who landed in Colorado in 1867 3

Fleisher migration to Australia +

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

Fleisher Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Johann Fleisher, aged 33, a mason, who arrived in South Australia in 1848 aboard the ship "Alfred" 4

Contemporary Notables of the name Fleisher (post 1700) +

Bruce Lee Fleisher (1948-2021), American professional golfer who had 18 PGA championships, and 35 total wins
Leon Fleisher (1928-2020), American classical pianist, conductor and pedagogue
Mark Fleisher, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from New Mexico, 2008 5
Mark Fleisher, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Arizona, 1996, 2000 5
Bernard R. Fleisher, American Democratic Party politician, Member of New York State Assembly from Bronx County 7th District, 1936-37; Defeated, 1937 5

Citations +

Kaganoff, Benzion C. A Dictionary of Jewish names and their history. Schocken Books, 1977. Digital
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
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) ALFRED 1848. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1848Alfred.htm
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 13) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html