Fletcher
An occupational surname for an arrow-maker, from the French word for “arrow.”
The #382 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 3,717 Americans shares it.
Etymology
Fletcher comes from Anglo-Norman French and Old French fleche, meaning “arrow.” In medieval England, a fletcher was the craftsman who made and fitted arrows, an essential trade in the age of bows. The surname therefore began as an occupational name, like Baker or Smith.
History
The name is well attested in medieval records and appears early in English surname lists as a common craft name. Because arrow-making was closely tied to warfare and hunting, the occupation was widespread enough for the surname to become common and long-lasting. It remained especially familiar in England and later spread to other English-speaking countries.
Origin
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Fun fact
The surname is related to the same word family as French flèche, still meaning “arrow” today.
From the historical record
“a, liangman or executioner— carnilex. FLETCHER. Fr. fleche, an arrow. A maker of arrows— a common and most ue- cessary trade in the middle ages. Le Flecher, Le Flecchir, Le Fletcher. U.K. FLEWELLEN. (Lond. Direct.) A cor- ruption of Llewellyn, the AVelsh Ijaptismal and family name. FLEXMAN. See Flaxman. FLIGG. See…”
— Patronymica Britannica: a dictionary of the family names of the United Kingdom