Show ContentsFlesner History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The distinguished Flesner family finds its origin with the proud Norman people. Although the Normans came from France, they were actually of Viking origin. The Vikings landed in the Orkneys and northern Scotland under their king, Stirgud the Stout, around 870. Subsequently, led by their jarl, Thorfinn Rollo, they invaded France around 911. After Rollo laid siege to Paris, King Charles the Simple of France finally conceded defeat and granted northern France to Rollo, who became the first Duke of Normandy.

The Magni Rotuli Scaccarii Normanniae lists Robert Flechier in Normady in 1198, so not all of the family emigrated to England with the Conquest. [1]

Flesner is of the common type of surnames known as the occupational name. Such a surname would have been taken from the primary vocation of an ancestor of the bearer; in this case, one who makes arrows. [2] [3]

Early Origins of the Flesner family

The surname Flesner was first found in at the Forest of Hutton in Yorkshire. They were originally descended from Jean de La Fleche, a Norman noble, who was granted lands by King William. His descendant, Sir Bernard Fletcher moved north and was granted lands in Roxburghshire by King David of Scotland.

They later moved further north to Aberdeen, and became one of the first settlers in Glenorchy, and entered into a bond with the Stewarts. Although the Campbells dominated the Glenorchy region, the two clans enjoyed a relatively friendly relationship. The family also had a good relationship with the Stewarts of Apin for whom they helped recover cattle stolen by the MacDonalds.

Not all of the family moved to Scotland, as the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 attest: Ralph le Fleccher and Nicholas le Flecher were listed in Lincolnshire; and Adam le Flecher and Henry le Fletcher were listed in Northamptonshire a that time. Later, the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 listed Robertus Fleger as residing there and holding lands. [2]

Early History of the Flesner family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Flesner research. Another 217 words (16 lines of text) covering the years 1338, 1340, 1374, 1461, 1489, 1548, 1579, 1585, 1611, 1613, 1619, 1623, 1625, 1633, 1655, 1661, 1666, 1679, 1689, 1690, 1691, 1700, 1712, 1713, 1716, 1797 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Flesner History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Flesner Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Fletcher, Flescher, Flegiar, Fletcheour, Fleshar, Fleggeour, Fleshour, Flager, Fledger, Fleschor, Flechyr, Flessor, Flesser, Flesher, Fleager, Flegger and many more.

Early Notables of the Flesner family

Notable among the family at this time was Sir Bernard Fletcher from Yorkshire who was the progenitor of the families of Salton and Inverpeffer branches; Giles Fletcher, the elder (c. 1548-1611), an English writer and diplomat, member of the English Parliament and was later the treasurer of St. Paul's; his son, Giles Fletcher, the younger (c. 1585-1623) was a poet in his own right; John Fletcher (1579-1625), a Jacobean playwright, he followed William Shakespeare as house playwright for the King's Men; Christian Fletcher, Lady Abercrombie, (1619-1691) a...
Another 86 words (6 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Flesner Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Flesner family to Ireland

Some of the Flesner family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 93 words (7 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Flesner family

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: Colonel Benjamin Fletcher who became Governor of the Colony of New York and Pennsylvania. Angus Fletcher with his wife and three children settled in Wilmington N.C. in 1774.



  1. The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X)
  2. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  3. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.


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