Fletcher
Arrows
Language(s)Middle English
Origin
MeaningRegional and occupational name for an arrowsmith or seller of arrows
Region of originFrench (La Flèche), England, Scotland, Ireland

Fletcher is a surname of French, English, Scottish and Irish origin. The name is a regional (La Flèche) and an occupational name for an arrowsmith (a maker and or seller of arrows), derived from the Old French flecher (in turn from Old French fleche "arrow").[1][2] The English word was borrowed into the Goidelic languages, leading to the development of the Scottish name "Mac an Fhleisteir" (also spelt "Mac an Fhleisdeir"),[3][4] "the arrowsmith's son."

Fletcher was not necessarily the surname of a fletcher or arrowsmith. The progenitor of the name is Jean de la Flèche (c.1030 – c.1097), a Norman noble from La Flèche, where he became its first seigneur (lord) and held its original castle. He was the father of Elias I, Count of Maine and a great grandfather of King Henry II. Jean de la Flèche was given land in England for services by William the Conqueror and some of his decedents and family settled in Yorkshire, England following the Norman Conquest. There is a record of a Robert le Flecher in 1203 (in the "Assize Court Rolls of Staffordshire", during the reign of King John), William Flecher’ also in 1203 and Peter le Flechier in 1227. The name is often confused with Flesher[1] because of the phonetic similarity.

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See also

References

  1. 1 2 Reaney, Percy Hilde; Wilson, Richard Middlewood (2006). A Dictionary of English Surnames (3rd ed.). London: Routledge. pp. 1183–1184. ISBN 0-203-99355-1.
  2. "Fletcher Name Meaning and History". Ancestry.com. Retrieved 22 December 2008.
  3. "Rannsaich an Stòr-dàta Briathrachais Gàidhlig".
  4. "Mac an Fhleisteir".
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