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

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
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

Fletcher World Ranking

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

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Fletcher Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Moses Fletcher, (1565 - 1621), who arrived in Plymouth, Massachusetts in 1620 aboard the "Mayflower" 9
Edward Fletcher, who arrived in Virginia in 1622 9
Robert Fletcher, who arrived in Massachusetts in 1630 9
Elizabeth Fletcher, who settled in Virginia in 1634
William Fletcher, who landed in Virginia in 1634 9
... (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 9
Richard Fletcher, who arrived in Virginia in 1705 9
Matthew Fletcher, who landed in Virginia in 1714 9
Henry Fletcher, who landed in Georgia in 1733 9
Richard Fletcher, who arrived in America in 1764 9
... (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 9
Miss Fletcher, who arrived in Newport, Rhode Island in 1811 9
Patrick Fletcher, who arrived in Long Island in 1812 9
Colonel Benjamin Fletcher became Governor of the Colony of New York and Pennsylvania
Edward Fletcher, aged 48, who arrived in America in 1821 9
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Fletcher migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Fletcher Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

J. Fletcher, who settled in St. John's, Newfoundland in 1703 10
John Fletcher, who settled in Ferryland, Newfoundland in 1708 10
Agnes Fletcher, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1750
John Fletcher held land in Northern Bay, Newfoundland before 1775 10

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 10
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 11
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 12
... (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 Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants 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 13
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 13
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 14
Joseph Fletcher, English convict from Derby, who was transported aboard the "Ann" on August 1809, settling in New South Wales, Australia 15
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 16
... (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 17
Mrs. Fletcher, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Ennerdale" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 19th April 1849 17
Miss Mary Fletcher, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Sir Edward Paget" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 19th December 1850 18
Miss Charlotte Fletcher, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Stately" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 1st June 1851 18
... (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. 19

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 9

Contemporary Notables of the name Fletcher (post 1700) +

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
Robert Fletcher (1922-2021), American Primetime Emmy Award nominated costume and set designer, known for Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (1986), Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982) and Star Trek III: The Search for Spock (1984)
William R. Fletcher, American Republican politician, Postmaster at Joliet, Illinois, 1927-33 (acting, 1927-28) 20
William E. Fletcher, American Republican politician, Delegate to Republican National Convention from Maryland, 1944 20
William E. Fletcher Jr., American Democratic Party politician, Alternate Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Georgia, 1996 20
Walter D. Fletcher, American Democratic Party politician, Candidate for New York State Assembly from St. Lawrence County 1st District, 1919, 1920 20
W. P. Fletcher, American Democratic Party politician, Alternate Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Arkansas, 1908 20
Urban C. Fletcher (b. 1866), American Republican politician, Member of Vermont State House of Representatives from Eden, 1910 20
W. B. Fletcher, American Republican politician, Alternate Delegate to Republican National Convention from Maryland, 1896 20
... (Another 137 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

HMS Hood

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 21
Mr. Peter Fletcher (b. 1906), Scottish Stoker Petty Officer serving for the Royal Navy from Edinburgh, Scotland, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 21

HMS Prince of Wales

Mr. Richard George Fletcher, English Marine, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking 22
Mr. Neville Fletcher, British Ordinary Seaman, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and died in the sinking 22

HMS Repulse

Mr. Frank Fletcher, British Able Bodied Seaman, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse (1941) and survived the sinking 23

HMS Royal Oak

Oswald L. Fletcher, British Stoker with the Royal Navy aboard the HMS Royal Oak (1939) when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he survived the sinking 24

Monongah Mine

Mr. James Fletcher (b. 1882), American coal miner who was in mine 8 at the Monongah Mine on 6th December 1907 when it exploded and collapsed; he died 25

RMS Lusitania

Mr. William S. Fletcher, English 1st Class Cabin Bed Steward from Liscard, Cheshire, England, who worked aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and survived the sinking 26
Mr. George Fletcher, English First Waiter from England, who worked aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and survived the sinking 26

RMS Titanic

Mr. Peter W. Fletcher (d. 1912), aged 26, English Bugler Steward from Sholing, Hampshire who worked aboard the RMS Titanic and died in the sinking 27

SS Atlantic

Mr. George Fletcher, who was traveling aboard the ship "SS Atlantic" when it struck rocks off Nova Scotia in 1873, died in the sinking
Miss Hannah Fletcher, who was traveling aboard the ship "SS Atlantic" when it struck rocks off Nova Scotia in 1873, died in the sinking

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.
"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
"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
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)
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
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2016, September 15) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
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
Monongah Mining Disaster retrieved on 8th August 2021. Retrieved from https://usminedisasters.miningquiz.com/saxsewell/monongah.htm
Lusitania Passenger List - The Lusitania Resource. (Retrieved 2014, March 10) . Retrieved from http://www.rmslusitania.info/lusitania-passenger-list/
Titanic Passenger List - Titanic Facts. (Retrieved 2016, July 13) . Retrieved from http://www.titanicfacts.net/titanic-passenger-list.html