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[citation needed], leading to the development of the Scottish name "Mac an Fhleisteir" (also spelt "Mac an Fhleisdeir"),[3][4] "the arrowsmith's son."
Language(s) | Middle English |
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Origin | |
Meaning | Regional and occupational name for an arrowsmith or seller of arrows |
Region of origin | French (La Flèche), England, Scotland, Ireland |
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.