Fisher History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Germany
Ireland

Etymology of Fisher

What does the name Fisher mean?

When the ancestors of the Fisher family arrived in England following the Norman Conquest of 1066, they brought their name with them. It is a name for a person who worked as a fisherman. Looking back even further, we found the name was originally derived from the Old English word fischer. 1

"This seems to be a sufficiently obvious derivation from the calling of a fisherman, especially since ' fisher ' occurs in our version of the New Testament in this sense; and Leland in his Itinerary usually describes the smaller sea-coast places as "fischar tounes." In Domesday [Book] and other early records, we meet with the forms Piscator, Le Pecheur, etc." 2

"In the time of King Stephen the family of Fitz-Urse (a name which in after days degenerated into Fitzour, Fyshour, and Fisher) became possessed of the great manor of Williton; they had their descent from that Urso, or Ursus, who in the time of William the Conqueror held lands in Grittleton, and other parts of Wiltshire, of the Abbey of Glastonbury. The first of the name who enjoyed this manor was Richard Fitz Urse, who died about 14 Hen. II., leaving issue three sons ; Sir Reginald, Sir Robert, and Walter. Sir Reginald, the eldest, had his residence at Williton, in a house which he afterwards gave to his brother Robert, with a moiety of this manor. This Sir Reginald was among the courtiers standing in the presence chamber at Bur, near Bayeux, a few days before Christmas 1170, when the King gave audience to the three prelates that had been excommunicated by Thomas a Beckett, and came to lay their complaint before him." 3

Early Origins of the Fisher family

The surname Fisher was first found in Essex, where Richard le Fischer was listed in the Feet of Fines in 1263. Years later, Ralph de Fisshar’ was listed in the Subsidy Rolls for Sussex in 1296. 4

In early records the name was often listed in Latin as "piscator" as seen by this record found in Scotland: Robert dominus Piscator, burgess of Perth, 1292. The Latin version quickly deferred to a more English version when "Michael Fysser who appears in record in 1344 as bailie of Perth is probably the Michaele Fisser recorded in 1338. " 5

Early History of the Fisher family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Fisher research. Another 185 words (13 lines of text) covering the years 1455, 1488, 1513, 1514, 1603, 1605, 1613, 1616, 1623, 1655, 1661, 1665, 1683, 1693, 1698, 1702, 1705, 1826, 1827, 1890 and 1956 are included under the topic Early Fisher History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Fisher Spelling Variations

Endless spelling variations are a prevailing characteristic of Norman surnames. Old and Middle English lacked any definite spelling rules, and the introduction of Norman French added an unfamiliar ingredient to the English linguistic stew. French and Latin, the languages of the court, also influenced spellings. Finally, Medieval scribes generally spelled words according to how they sounded, so one person was often referred to by different spellings in different documents. The name has been spelled Fisher, Fischer and others.

Early Notables of the Fisher family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was

Sir Thomas Fisher
Sir Robert Fisher, 1st Baronet of Great Packington, Warwickshire
Samuel Fisher (1605-1665) was an English Quaker controversialist from Northampton
Payne Fisher (1616-1693), an English poet
Joseph Fisher (c. 1655-1705), an English churchman, Archdeacon of Carlisle (1702 until his death)

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. 6 However, in Canada, the name Fisher is ranked the 164^th most popular surname with an estimated 21,163 people with that name. 7 And in Newfoundland, Canada, the name Fisher is the 354^th popular surname with an estimated 131 people with that name. 8 Australia ranks Fisher as 102^nd with 25,685 people. 9 New Zealand ranks Fisher as 143^rd with 3,453 people. 10 The United Kingdom ranks Fisher as 92^nd with 50,646 people. 11 South Africa ranks Fisher as 525^th with 13,540 people. 12

Migration of the Fisher family to Ireland

Some of the Fisher family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 57 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Fisher migration to the United States +

To escape the political and religious persecution within England at the time, many English families left for the various British colonies abroad. The voyage was extremely difficult, though, and the cramped, dank ships caused many to arrive in the New World diseased and starving. But for those who made it, the trip was most often worth it. Many of the families who arrived went on to make valuable contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families reveals a number of immigrants bearing the name Fisher or a variant listed above:

Fisher Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Mr. Robert Fisher, who arrived in Virginia aboard the ship "Elizabeth" in 1611 13
Mrs. Katherine Fisher, who arrived in Virginia in 1621 aboard the ship "Marmaduke" 13
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" 14
Mrs. Sarah Fisher, who arrived in Virginia in 1624 aboard the ship "Warwick" 13
... (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 14
Simon Fisher, who arrived in New England in 1709 with his wife
Edward Fisher, who landed in Boston, Massachusetts in 1712 14
Caleb Fisher, who arrived in New England in 1716 14
Fleny Fisher, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1731 14
... (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 14
Eliz Fisher, who landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1801 14
C Fisher, who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1804 14
Fredk Fisher, who landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1806 14
Alexander Duff Fisher, aged 36, who landed in New York in 1812 14
... (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 14

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 15
Mrs. Mary Fisher U.E. who settled in Adolphus Town [Adolphustown], Ontario c. 1775 15
Mr. Lewis Fisher U.E., "Ludowig" who settled in Canada c. 1783 15
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 15
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 15
... (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 16
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 17
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 18
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 19
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 20
... (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. 21

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 22
Mr. Edward Fisher, (b. 1608), aged 27, British settler traveling aboard the ship "Paul of London" arriving in St Christopher (Saint Kitts) in 1635 23

Contemporary Notables of the name Fisher (post 1700) +

Grant Jackson Fisher (b. 1997), American middle- and long-distance runner
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 24
William Frederick Fisher M.D. (b. 1946), American physician and a former NASA astronaut with over 170 hours in space 25
Zachary Fisher (1910-1999), American philanthropist and recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom
... (Another 260 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 26
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 27
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 27

Halifax Explosion

Master Carl Frederick Fisher (1917-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 28
Mrs. Dora Fisher (1892-1917), "Edna" Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 28

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 29

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 30

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 31

HMS Repulse

Mr. William H Fisher, British Able Bodied Seaman, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse (1941) and survived the sinking 32

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 33
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 33
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 33

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 34

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 35
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 35
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 35

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: Respice finem
Motto Translation: Regard the end.

Citations +

Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
Cleveland, Dutchess of The Battle Abbey Roll with some Account of the Norman Lineages. London: John Murray, Abermarle Street, 1889. Print. Volume 3 of 3
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
"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