Fletcher History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland
Ireland
England

Etymology of Fletcher

What does the name Fletcher mean?

The distinguished Fletcher 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

Fletcher 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 Fletcher family

The surname Fletcher 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 Fletcher family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Fletcher 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 Fletcher History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Fletcher 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 Fletcher family

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
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 Scottish minister's wife who saved the Honours of Scotland from Cromwell's troops during the English invasion of Scotland
Sir George Fletcher, 2nd Baronet (1633-1700), an English politician, Member of Parliament for Cumberland (1661-1679)
Sir Henry Fletcher, 3rd Baronet (1661-1712), an English Baronet and politician, Member of Parliament for Cockermouth (1689-1690)
Thomas Fletcher (1666-1713), an English poet and priest of the Church of England from Avington, Hampshire
Andrew Fletcher of Saltoun (1655-1716), a Scottish writer, politician, soldier and patriot, Commissioner of the old Parliament of Scotland

Fletcher World Ranking

the United Kingdom, the name Fletcher is the 104^th most popular surname with an estimated 45,801 people with that name. 4 However, in Australia, the name Fletcher is ranked the 146^th most popular surname with an estimated 19,763 people with that name. 5 And in New Zealand, the name Fletcher is the 133^rd popular surname with an estimated 3,523 people with that name. 6 Canada ranks Fletcher as 433^rd with 10,881 people. 7 The United States ranks Fletcher as 293^rd with 92,019 people. 8

Migration of the Fletcher family to Ireland

Some of the Fletcher 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.

Fletcher migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia included the First Fleet and Second Fleet of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

First Fleet

Mr. Charles Fletcher, (b. 1750), aged 39, British settler convicted in Middlesex, England in 1786, sentenced to Life for receiving stolen goods, transported aboard the ship "Neptune" leaving in 1789 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1790, may have died on the ship 9
Mr. George Fletcher, (b. 1790), British settler convicted in Middlesex, England in 1788, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Neptune" leaving in 1789 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1790, may have died on the ship 10

Second Fleet

Mr. Thomas Fletcher, (d. 1792), British settler convicted in Warwickshire, England in 1789, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Admiral Barrington" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 10
Mr. James Fletcher, British settler convicted in Herefordshire, England in 1787, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Matilda" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 10

Following the First and Second Fleets, other convicts and early settlers arriving in Australia include:

Fletcher Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. Joshua Fletcher, British convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Calcutta" in February 1803, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 10
Mr. William Fletcher, British convict who was convicted in Essex, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Calcutta" in February 1803, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 10
Miss Jane Fletcher, English convict who was convicted in Hereford, Herefordshire, England for life, transported aboard the "Exmouth" on 2nd January 1804, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 11
Joseph Fletcher, English convict from Derby, who was transported aboard the "Ann" on August 1809, settling in New South Wales, Australia 12
Mr. Thomas Fletcher, (b. 1800), aged 17, English labourer who was convicted in Lichfield, Staffordshire, England for 14 years for stealing, transported aboard the "Batavia" in October 1817, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 13
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Fletcher 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:

Fletcher Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

J Fletcher, who landed in Auckland, New Zealand in 1845
Mr. Fletcher, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Ennerdale" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 19th April 1849 14
Mrs. Fletcher, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Ennerdale" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 19th April 1849 14
Miss Mary Fletcher, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Sir Edward Paget" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 19th December 1850 15
Miss Charlotte Fletcher, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Stately" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 1st June 1851 15
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Fletcher 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

Fletcher Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century

Mr. Edward Fletcher, (b. 1614), aged 20, British settler travelling from London, UK arriving in St Christopher (St. Kitts) on 5th January 1634 17

Fletcher migration to Canada +

Fletcher Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

J. Fletcher, who settled in St. John's, Newfoundland in 1703 18
John Fletcher, who settled in Ferryland, Newfoundland in 1708 18
Agnes Fletcher, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1750
John Fletcher held land in Northern Bay, Newfoundland before 1775 18

Fletcher Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Robert Fletcher, aged 24, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the brig "Ugoni" from Belfast, Ireland
George Fletcher, aged 26, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1834 aboard the schooner "Sarah" from Belfast, Ireland
Benjamin Fletcher, who settled in Hermitage Cove, Newfoundland in 1834 18
Mr. Richard Fletcher, aged 24 who immigrated to Canada, arriving at the Grosse Isle Quarantine Station in Quebec aboard the ship "Agnes" departing from the port of Cork, Ireland but died on Grosse Isle in June 1847 19
Mr. Richard Fletcher, aged 22 who was a Seaman aboard the ship "Dykes" taking passenger to Grosse Isle Quarantine Station in Quebec departing from the port of Sligo, Ireland but died at Grosse Isle on 7th June 1847 in the typhus epidemic 20
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Fletcher Settlers in Canada in the 20th Century

H Fletcher, who landed in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1907

Fletcher migration to the United States +

Fletcher Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Moses Fletcher, (1565 - 1621), who arrived in Plymouth, Massachusetts in 1620 aboard the "Mayflower" 17
Edward Fletcher, who arrived in Virginia in 1622 17
Robert Fletcher, who arrived in Massachusetts in 1630 17
Elizabeth Fletcher, who settled in Virginia in 1634
William Fletcher, who landed in Virginia in 1634 17
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Fletcher Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Ralph Fletcher, who landed in Virginia in 1701 17
Richard Fletcher, who arrived in Virginia in 1705 17
Matthew Fletcher, who landed in Virginia in 1714 17
Henry Fletcher, who landed in Georgia in 1733 17
Richard Fletcher, who arrived in America in 1764 17
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Fletcher Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Joseph Fletcher, who arrived in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1808 17
Miss Fletcher, who arrived in Newport, Rhode Island in 1811 17
Patrick Fletcher, who arrived in Long Island in 1812 17
Colonel Benjamin Fletcher became Governor of the Colony of New York and Pennsylvania
Edward Fletcher, aged 48, who arrived in America in 1821 17
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Fletcher (post 1700) +

Alexander Fletcher (1787-1860), Scottish Presbyterian divine, son of William Fletcher, minister at the Bridge of Teith, near Doune, Perthshire 21
Freddie Fletcher (1941-2012), Scottish politician and businessman, Provost of Inverclyde (1977–1981), Chief Executive of Newcastle United
Darren Barr Fletcher (b. 1984), Scottish footballer from Edinburgh
Viola Fletcher (1914-2025), known as Mother Fletcher, an American woman who, at the time of her death, was the oldest known living survivor of the Tulsa race massacre and a supercentenarian
Betty Binns Fletcher (1923-2012), American lawyer and jurist, Senior Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit (1998-2012)
Louise Fletcher (1934-2022), award-winning American actress best known for her role as Nurse Ratched in One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest
Estelle Louise Fletcher (1934-2022), American actress, best known for her role as Nurse Ratched in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975), which earned her an Academy Award for Best Actress, a BAFTA Award, and a Golden Globe Award
Andrew John Leonard "Andy" Fletcher (1961-2022), sometimes known as Fletch, an English keyboard player, DJ and a founding member of the electronic band Depeche Mode, inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Depeche Mode
Philip John Fletcher CBE (1946-2022), British public servant, Receiver of the Metropolitan Police (1996 to 2000), Director General (2000-2006) and Chairman (2006-2012)
... (Another 139 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Fletcher family +

Bradford City stadium fire

Peter Fletcher (1953-1985), from Gildersome who attended the Bradford City and Lincoln City Third Division match on 11th May 1985 when the Bradford City stadium fire occurred and he died in the fire
John Fletcher (1951-1985), from East Bridgford, Nottinghamwho attended the Bradford City and Lincoln City Third Division match on 11th May 1985 when the Bradford City stadium fire occurred and he died in the fire
Edmund Fletcher (1922-1985), from Pudsey who attended the Bradford City and Lincoln City Third Division match on 11th May 1985 when the Bradford City stadium fire occurred and he died in the fire
Andrew Fletcher (1974-1985), from East Bridgford, Nottinghamwho attended the Bradford City and Lincoln City Third Division match on 11th May 1985 when the Bradford City stadium fire occurred and he died in the fire
Mr. Victor W J Fletcher (b. 1920), English Able Seaman serving for the Royal Navy from Southsea, Hampshire, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 22
... (Another 11 entries are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Sources +

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)
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
"UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
"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
"Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
Convict Records of Australia. Retrieved 4th February 2021 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 25th November 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/calcutta
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 30th May 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/experiment
State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Ann voyage to New South Wales, Australia in 1809 with 200 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/ann/1809
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 30th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/batavia
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
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)
Seary E.R., Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland, Montreal: McGill's-Queen's Universtity Press 1998 ISBN 0-7735-1782-0
Charbonneau, André, and Doris Drolet-Dubé. A Register of Deceased Persons at Sea and on Grosse Île in 1847. The Minister of Canadian Heritage, 1997. ISBN: 0-660-198/1-1997E (p. 28)
Charbonneau, André, and Doris Drolet-Dubé. A Register of Deceased Persons at Sea and on Grosse Île in 1847. The Minister of Canadian Heritage, 1997. ISBN: 0-660-198/1-1997E (p. 62)
Wikisource contributors. "Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900." Wikisource . Wikisource , 4 Jun. 2018. Web. 30 June 2020
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