Is there a reason why when I search for the surname FLESHER, I also get returns of the surname FLETCHER?

Question

FLESHER (my surname) is a German derivative of FLEISCHER - FLETCHER is an English surname; that's why I'm confusted. (note: have been called FLETCHER all my life).

Comments

"sound" alikes.

Answer 1

The default setting for searches is to also search for name variants.

Comments

Hello Larry.

To change this, scroll down in the "Search" form and tick "only exact last name matches".

Include last name variant matches?

 yes   only exact last name matches

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Rubén, yours was the better answer!

Answer 2

I believe it's because the spelling and pronunciation is similar. I have seen instances where surnames changed over time because they sounded so similar (e.g. in my family the surname Hanses, which is a German name, turned into Hansen, which is more Scandinavian). So this feature can be quite helpful, because it can show you alternative spellings which you might not have thought of earlier.

Answer 3

In England, if your surname is Fletcher, the old books will tell you that your ancestor put feathers on arrows.  But it's more likely that he was a flesher, an old word for a butcher, now obsolete, except in Scotland it says here.

Comments

What a charming, out of left field response!

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That's exactly the situation - my surname, FLESHER, is very often 'assumed' to be FLETCHER - (this is also experienced by many of my relatives).

You are correct FLETCHER is an English surname; FLESHER (originally FLEISCHER) is German .

Footnote: my third GGF, Balser M. FLESHER, was one of the original settlers of Muskingum County, Ohio - in the History of Muskingum County, you will find many references to Balser FLETCHER (and none to Flesher).