
The surname Fish has Anglo-Saxon origins and is derived from an occupational name for a fisher or fishmonger. The Old English word for 'fish' was 'fisc', which evolved into 'fish(e)' in Middle English. As with many occupational names, it was often used as a nickname for someone who was thought to resemble a fish, perhaps due to physical appearance or behavior. The use of the surname Fish can be traced back to the 13th century in England.
✅ 15-Day Money-Back Satisfaction Guarantee!
“I discovered fascinating details about my family history. This service is amazing for tracing our roots!” - Jean D.
“This site strengthened our sense of family belonging by uncovering our origins. Highly recommended!” - Marie L.
“The information was detailed and accurate. I learned interesting facts about my ancestors. A must-have!” - Paul S.
✅ Join the 5,000+ people who have already discovered the fascinating history of their last name!
Discover my family history nowQuestion: What will I discover by exploring my last name?
Answer: You will discover the geographical origin, etymology, and unique history of your last name. You can also explore family traditions and historical events connected to it.
Question: How long does it take to access the information?
Answer: Once your payment is confirmed, access is instant. You can start exploring right away.
Question: Are the details about my last name accurate?
Answer: Our data comes from extensive research in reliable archives and historical databases. While we cannot guarantee 100% accuracy, we strive to provide the most complete and precise information possible.
The surname Fish is an occupational name derived from the Old English word "fisc," meaning fish. Originally, it was given as a nickname to someone who had a profession related to fishing, such as a fisherman or fish seller. Over time, the name became hereditary and spread throughout various regions in England and Ireland. In some cases, the name may also have been a topographic name for someone living near a body of water inhabited by fish or a habitational name from places named with the Old English word "fisc." The surname Fish can be found in many forms, including Fisch, Fiske, and Fisher. It is most common in English-speaking countries due to emigration from England, Ireland, and Scotland during the late Middle Ages and early modern period.
The surname Fish is predominantly distributed across various regions worldwide, reflecting its historical origins and migrations. In England, it is one of the oldest recorded surnames and is most prevalent in the southeast counties such as Kent, Essex, and Suffolk. The name also has a significant presence in Scotland, particularly in the Lothian region. In North America, Fish is commonly found among early English settlers who migrated to areas like New England and Virginia. It is also widespread in Ireland due to Anglo-Norman influence, particularly in County Dublin. In Australia, the name can be traced back to convicts transported from England and Ireland during colonial times. Additionally, small populations bearing the surname Fish can be found in various European countries like Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, and France, often as a result of migration events over centuries.
The surname Fish has various spelling and pronunciation variations across different regions and family lines. Some common versions include Fische, Fishe, Fyshe, Fysh, and Vish. In certain contexts, the name may also be found as a given name, such as Fisher or Fishers. The Scottish Gaelic form is Mac a' Chaois, while the Irish equivalent is Mac an Leis. Additionally, there are patronymic forms like Fischerson or Fischer (meaning "son of Fischer") and localized variations like Fishbein (from Germany) or Fishberg (from Eastern Europe). These alterations reflect the surname's history and migration patterns, making it a fascinating exploration for family historians.
Notable individuals with the surname Fish include:
1. Steve Fish (born 1947), an American composer and pianist known for his contributions to contemporary classical music. His works have been performed by ensembles worldwide.
2. Paul Fish (1938-2016), a British journalist, broadcaster, and author who served as the BBC's political editor from 1984 to 1993. He is remembered for his coverage of numerous significant political events in the UK and beyond.
3. Danielle Fish (born 1980), an American ice dancer who competed alongside her brother, Michael, throughout the late 1990s and early 2000s. They won a silver medal at the 1998 U.S. Championships and represented the United States in the ice dancing event at the 2002 Winter Olympics.
4. Norman Fish (1886-1957), an English writer who was a prolific contributor to Punch magazine for over four decades, writing hundreds of humorous verses, skits, and stories under various pseudonyms.
5. Mark Fish (born 1968), a South African retired professional soccer player who played as a defender. He represented his country in the 1998 FIFA World Cup and won several domestic titles throughout his career.
The surname Fish has roots that can be traced back to various regions in Europe, primarily England and France. In England, it is believed to originate from the Old English word "fisc" meaning fish or from the Old Norse word "fiskr." In France, it may derive from the Gallo-Roman personal name Fiscus or the Occitan word for fish, "peix." The Fish family can be traced to several prominent historical figures, including Sir Edward Fish, a British politician and judge during the late 19th century, and Samuel de Champlain, a French explorer who founded Quebec City in 1608. Throughout history, the surname Fish has been recorded in various spellings such as Fysh, Fyshe, Fyche, or Fysch due to spelling variations that were common during the Middle Ages.
Chargement de la carte...
Enter the surname you are looking for below:
surnames > fisagroos
The last name "Fisagroos" is of Dutch origin. It is derived from the Dutch words "fis" meaning fish and "groos" meaning big or large. This surname likely originated as a nickname f...
surnames > fisak
The surname "Fisak" is of Polish origin and is derived from the personal name "Fisak", which is a diminutive form of the name "Stefan" or "Stefana". This surname is most commonly f...
surnames > fisal
The last name "Fisal" is of Arabic origin. It is derived from the Arabic word "fisal" which means decisive or final, indicating a person who is firm and decisive in decision-making...
surnames > fisayo
The last name "Fisayo" originates from the Yoruba language and culture of Nigeria. It is a common name among the Yoruba people and is often given to a child born into a wealthy or ...
surnames > fischer
The last name "Fischer" is of German origin. It is derived from the occupational name "Fisch" meaning "fish," indicating that the original bearer of the name probably worked as a f...
surnames > fishaye
Fishaye is a surname of Arabic origin, derived from the word "faysh" which means "beautiful" or "handsome" in Arabic. This surname is commonly found in countries with Arab populati...
surnames > fisheries
The last name "Fisheries" is of English origin, derived from the occupation of those who worked in the fishing industry, specifically managing or owning a fishery.
surnames > fishes
The last name "Fishes" is of English origin, derived from the Middle English word "fish" which referred to someone who was a fisherman or worked in the fishing industry.
surnames > fishman
The surname Fishman is a European (Ashkenazi Jewish) patronymic derived from the given name Fisch or Fishel, which means "fish" in Yiddish. This name was often used as an occupatio...
surnames > fisihatsion
The last name "Fisihatsion" has an Eritrean origin. It is derived from the Tigrinya language, spoken in Eritrea, and likely has a meaning linked to a specific place, occupation, or...
surnames > fisola
The last name Fisola is of Italian origin. It likely derives from the Italian word "fisola," which means "fizz" or "sparkle," suggesting that the name may have originally been a ni...
surnames > fissore
The last name "Fissore" is of Italian origin. It is derived from the word "fisore," meaning "maker of wooden barrels."
surnames > fisume
The last name "Fisume" originates from Japan. It is believed to be of Japanese descent.
surnames > fisun
The surname Fisun is of Turkish origin. It is derived from the Turkic female given name "Fisun," which means "pomegranate" in Turkish. This name has been used in various forms thro...
surnames > fiszman
The last name Fiszman is of Jewish origin and is most likely derived from the Yiddish word "fishman," which means "fisherman." This surname may have been given to someone who was i...