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'''Fletcher''' is a [[surname]] of [[French language|French]], [[English language|English]], [[Scottish Gaelic|Scottish]] and [[Irish language|Irish]] origin. The name is a regional ([[La Flèche]]) and an occupational name for an [[Fletching|arrowsmith]] (a maker and or seller of arrows), derived from the [[Old French]] ''flecher'' (in turn from [[Old French]] ''fleche'' "arrow").<ref name="Reaney"/><ref name="Fletcher">{{cite web|url=http://www.ancestry.com/facts/Fletcher-family-history.ashx|title=Fletcher Name Meaning and History|accessdate=22 December 2008|work=Ancestry.com}}</ref> The English word was borrowed into the [[Goidelic languages]]{{Citation needed|date=March 2017}}, leading to the development of the [[Scottish Gaelic|Scottish]] name "Mac an Fhleisteir" (also spelt "Mac an Fhleisdeir"),<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www2.smo.uhi.ac.uk/gaidhlig/faclair/sbg/lorg.php?faclair=sbg&seorsa=Beurla&facal=Fletcher&eis_saor=on&tairg=Lorg|title = Rannsaich an Stòr-dàta Briathrachais Gàidhlig}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.faclair.com/ViewEntry.aspx?ID=F5FDE99F93D774C87B280A0240CF402A|title = Mac an Fhleisteir}}</ref> "the arrowsmith's son."
'''Fletcher''' is a [[Anglo-Normans|]Anglo-Norman] [[surname]] of [[French language|French]], [[English language|English]], [[Scottish Gaelic|Scottish]] and [[Irish language|Irish]] origin. The name is a regional ([[La Flèche]]) and an occupational name for an [[Fletching|arrowsmith]] (a maker and or seller of arrows), derived from the [[Old French]] ''flecher'' (in turn from [[Old French]] ''fleche'' "arrow").<ref name="Reaney"/><ref name="Fletcher">{{cite web|url=http://www.ancestry.com/facts/Fletcher-family-history.ashx|title=Fletcher Name Meaning and History|accessdate=22 December 2008|work=Ancestry.com}}</ref> The English word was borrowed into the [[Goidelic languages]]{{Citation needed|date=March 2017}}, leading to the development of the [[Scottish Gaelic|Scottish]] name "Mac an Fhleisteir" (also spelt "Mac an Fhleisdeir"),<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www2.smo.uhi.ac.uk/gaidhlig/faclair/sbg/lorg.php?faclair=sbg&seorsa=Beurla&facal=Fletcher&eis_saor=on&tairg=Lorg|title = Rannsaich an Stòr-dàta Briathrachais Gàidhlig}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.faclair.com/ViewEntry.aspx?ID=F5FDE99F93D774C87B280A0240CF402A|title = Mac an Fhleisteir}}</ref> "the arrowsmith's son."


Fletcher was not necessarily the surname of a fletcher or arrowsmith. The progenitor of the name was [[Jean de la Flèche]], a Norman noble from [[La Flèche]], where he became its first [[seigneur]] (lord) and held its original castle. He married Paula of Maine, daughter of the Count of Maine. They were the parents of [[Elias I, Count of Maine]] and a great grandfather of [[Henry II of England|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 [[John I of England|King John]]), William Flecher’ also in 1203 and Peter le Flechier in 1227. The name is often confused with Flesher<ref name="Reaney">{{cite book |last=Reaney |first=Percy Hilde |author2=Wilson, Richard Middlewood |title=A Dictionary of English Surnames |edition=3rd |year=2006 |publisher=Routledge |location=London |isbn=0-203-99355-1 |pages=1183–1184}}</ref> because of the phonetic similarity.
Fletcher was not necessarily the surname of a fletcher or arrowsmith. The progenitor of the name was [[Jean de la Flèche]], a Norman noble from [[La Flèche]], where he became its first [[seigneur]] (lord) and held its original castle. He married Paula of Maine, daughter of the Count of Maine. They were the parents of [[Elias I, Count of Maine]] and a great grandfather of [[Henry II of England|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 [[John I of England|King John]]), William Flecher’ also in 1203 and Peter le Flechier in 1227. The name is often confused with Flesher<ref name="Reaney">{{cite book |last=Reaney |first=Percy Hilde |author2=Wilson, Richard Middlewood |title=A Dictionary of English Surnames |edition=3rd |year=2006 |publisher=Routledge |location=London |isbn=0-203-99355-1 |pages=1183–1184}}</ref> because of the phonetic similarity.

Revision as of 19:02, 9 May 2024

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 [[Anglo-Normans|]Anglo-Norman] 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[citation needed], 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 was Jean de la Flèche, a Norman noble from La Flèche, where he became its first seigneur (lord) and held its original castle. He married Paula of Maine, daughter of the Count of Maine. They were the parents 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.

People

Fictional characters

See also

References

  1. ^ a b 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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