Fleischer History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Germany
Israel

Etymology of Fleischer

What does the name Fleischer 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 Fleischer 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 Fleischer family

The surname Fleischer 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

Fleischer 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.

Fleischer Ranking

In the United States, the name Fleischer is the 8,142^nd most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 3

Fleischer migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Fleischer Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Barbara Fleischer, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1743 4
Baltzer Fleischer, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1748 4
Heinrich Fleischer, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1752 4
Peter Fleischer, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1752 4
Johannes Fleischer, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1754 4
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Fleischer Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Jul Fleischer, aged 16, German settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Wyoming" in 1800 5
Sophia Fleischer, aged 33, British settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Nassan" in 1833 5
Sophia S. Fleischer, aged 6, British settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Nassan" in 1833 5
John Sahman Fleischer, aged 20, Norweigian settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Constellation" in 1834 5
Barb Cath Fleischer, aged 23, Norweigian settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Fredieu" in 1840 5
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Fleischer Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Mr. Fleischer, who landed in Chile in 1900 4
Mrs. Fleischer, who arrived in Chile in 1900 4
Martin Fleischer was naturalized in Montana in 1909

Contemporary Notables of the name Fleischer (post 1700) +

Max Fleischer (1883-1972), Austrian-American cartoonist, inventor, and animated film producer best known as the creator of the Betty Boop and Popeye the Sailor comic characters
Ruben Samuel Fleischer (b. 1974), American film director, film producer, television producer, music video director, and commercial director
Richard Owen Fleischer (1916-2006), American film director
Michael Fleischer (1908-1998), American chemist and mineralogist
Michael Paul Fleischer, American businessman from New Jersey
Nathaniel Stanley Fleischer (1887-1972), noted American boxing writer and collector
Dave Fleischer (1894-1979), American film director and producer, co-owner of Fleischer Studios
Charles Fleischer (b. 1950), American actor, stand-up comedian, musician, and writer
Amy S. Fleischer, American mechanical engineer
Randall Craig Fleischer (1958-2020), American conductor and Music Director of the Hudson Valley Philharmonic, Anchorage Symphony, and Youngstown Symphony orchestras
... (Another 13 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Fleischer family +

Bismarck

Hermann-Karl Fleischer (1919-1941), German Musikobergefreiter who served aboard the German Battleship Bismarck during World War II when it was sunk heading to France; he died in the sinking 6
Heinz Fleischer (1920-1941), German Maschinengefreiter who served aboard the German Battleship Bismarck during World War II when it was sunk heading to France; he died in the sinking 6

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)
Ellis Island Search retrieved 21st October 2021. Retrieved from https://heritage.statueofliberty.org/passenger-result
Bismarck & Tirpitz Class - Crew List Bismarck. (Retrieved 2018, February 06). Retrieved from https://www.bismarck-class.dk/bismarck/crew/bismarck_crew.html#crew_details