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. 2

Early Origins of the Fleisher family

The surname Fleisher was first found in Franconia, Nuremberg where the Fleischmann was prevalent in the 12th century continuing through to modern times. Fleischhaker was found in Bavaria and Austria, Moravia, and Flischhauer was found in central and North Germany. Heinrich Flaischesse was listed in Austria in 1180.

Later Fleischhauer was found in central Germany and generally corresponds to the Lower German Knockhenhauer (in both cases meaning butcher). Heinrich Lenke der Fleischman was listed in Eger in 1379.

In modern times, Fleischner is frequently found in Vienna and more recent variant of Fleischer. 2

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

the United States, the name Fleisher is the 11,555^th most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 3

Fleisher migration to the United States +

Fleisher Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Johannes Fleisher, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1750 4

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 4
Josia Fleisher, aged 19, who landed in New York in 1854 4
Leopold Fleisher, aged 24, who landed in Colorado in 1867 4

Fleisher migration to Australia +

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" 5

Contemporary Notables of the name Fleisher (post 1700) +

Samuel Stuart Fleisher (1871-1944), Jewish-American manufacturer, art patron, and philanthropist
Michael Lawrence Fleisher (1942-2018), American writer for DC Comics in the 1970s and 1980s
Martin "Marty" Fleisher (b. 1958), American bridge player and employee benefits attorney
Lawrence Fleisher (1930-1989), American attorney and sports agent
Bruce Lee Fleisher (1948-2021), American professional golfer
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 6
Mark Fleisher, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Arizona, 1996, 2000 7
... (Another 1 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Sources +

Kaganoff, Benzion C. A Dictionary of Jewish names and their history. Schocken Books, 1977. Digital
Bahlow, Hans, Dictionary of German Names. translated by Edda Gentry, Wisconsin: The Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System, 2002. Print. (ISBN 0-924119-35-7)
"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