English
The surname Fischer is of English, German and Jewish origin. It was an occupational name for a fisherman, derived from the Middle English 'fischer' and the Old English 'fiscere'; derived from 'fiscian' to catch fish. The name thus signifies 'the fisher', from one who obtained his living by fishing. The name has also been used in Ireland as a loose equivalant of Braden. It can also be a topographical name for someone who lived near a fish weir on a river, from the Old English 'fisc' fish and 'gere' weir; dweller by an enclosure for catching fish. It is also a surname used by Jewish people as an occupational name, from the Yiddish, 'fisher'. Jonah, in the book of the bible that bears his name, was swallowed up by a 'great fish'. Jacob blessed his son with the words 'veyidgu larov', "Let them grow into a great multitude", the verb 'yidgu' containing the root letters of Hebrew 'dag' fish. The surname dates back to the twelfth century were a Richard le Fischer is recorded in historical archives. The name was brought to America by English, German and Jewish immigrants. One of the first forefathers to bring this name to America is that of a Anthony Fischer, who emigrated to America aboard the barque Rose on the 26th of June, 1637; he settled in Dedham, Massachusetts. The name is the three-hundredth and thirteenth most common surname in America.