Fisher
An occupational surname referring to a fisherman or someone who sold fish.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 249,491 Americans carry the last name Fisher. That puts it at #112 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 72.79 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 1,374 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Fisher surname. You will find the Census Bureau frequency data, an ancestry and ethnicity breakdown based on self-reported demographics, the name's meaning and origin where available, and answers to the most common questions people ask about this surname.
Bearers in the US
249K
1 in 1,374
Census rank
#112
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
72.8
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
215K
common in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 214,703 bearers of the surname Fisher in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 72.79 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 112th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Fisher, the largest self-reported group is White at 82.6%. The next largest groups are Black (11.8%) and Hispanic (2.4%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Fisher
The surname Fisher is an occupational name that originated in England. It derives from the Old English word "fiscere," meaning a fisher or someone who catches fish for a living. The name can be traced back to the 11th century, and it was likely first used to identify individuals who worked as fishermen.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the Fisher surname can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, which was a comprehensive survey of landowners and properties in England commissioned by William the Conqueror. The Domesday Book contains references to individuals with the surname Fisher, indicating that the name was already in use by the late 11th century.
During the Middle Ages, the Fisher surname was particularly prevalent in coastal regions of England, such as Cornwall, Devon, and Norfolk, where fishing was a significant industry. However, the name also appeared in other parts of the country, reflecting the mobility of people and the spread of the surname.
In the 13th century, the Fisher surname appeared in various historical records, including the Hundred Rolls of 1273, which were surveys of landholdings conducted by King Edward I. One notable example is William le Fisher, who was recorded as a resident of Gloucestershire in 1275.
Over the centuries, the Fisher surname has been associated with several notable individuals. One of the earliest was John Fisher (c. 1469-1535), an English Catholic bishop, cardinal, and academic who played a significant role in the English Reformation. He was executed by King Henry VIII for refusing to accept the monarch's supremacy over the Church of England.
Another prominent figure with the Fisher surname was Jasper Fisher (c. 1591-1667), an English merchant and writer who published several books on trade and commerce. He was also involved in the establishment of the East India Company and served as its governor from 1658 to 1660.
In the arts, the Fisher surname has been carried by several renowned individuals, such as Mary Frances Kennedy Fisher (1908-1992), an American writer and culinary historian known for her pioneering works on food and travel writing.
Other notable individuals with the Fisher surname include Sir Andrew Fisher (1862-1928), an Australian politician who served as the fifth Prime Minister of Australia, and Sir Geoffrey Fisher (1887-1972), an English bishop who served as the 99th Archbishop of Canterbury from 1945 to 1961.
While the Fisher surname has its roots in England, it has since spread to various parts of the world, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and other English-speaking countries, due to emigration and migration patterns over the centuries.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Fisher
Among Census respondents with the surname Fisher, the largest self-reported group is White at 82.6%. The next largest groups are Black (11.8%) and Hispanic (2.4%).
The bar chart below shows how Fisher bearers described their own race and ethnicity on the 2010 Census form. The Census Bureau groups responses into six broad categories: White, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Two or More Races. When a category has too few respondents for a given surname, the Bureau suppresses the figure to protect individual privacy, which is why some names show fewer than six slices.
Keep in mind that these are self-reported numbers. A person's surname does not determine their race or ethnicity, and the distribution you see here reflects the specific population who happened to carry the Fisher surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White82.6%
- Black or African American11.8%
- Hispanic or Latino2.4%
- Two or more races1.9%
- American Indian and Alaska Native0.8%
- Asian and Pacific Islander0.6%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Fisher surname changed between Census years? The chart shows bearer count side by side, and the table compares rank, count, and frequency.
Census year comparison
| Metric | 2010 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #112 | #112 | 0.0% |
| Count | 214,703 | 214,703 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 72.79 | 72.79 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Fisher bearers went from 214,703 to 214,703 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #112 to #112.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Fisher
FAQ
Fisher surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Fisher?
The surname Fisher holds position #112 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 249,491 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 72.79 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Fisher surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Fisher, the largest self-reported group is White at 82.6%. The next largest groups are Black (11.8%) and Hispanic (2.4%). These figures come from the 2010 Census Bureau surname tables, based on how respondents described their own race and ethnicity.
Where does this surname data come from?
All surname statistics on Name Census are drawn from the US Census Bureau's decennial surname frequency tables. These tables list every surname that appeared 100 or more times in the 2010 Census, along with a frequency rate and self-reported demographic breakdown. You can read the full explanation on our methodology page.