Surname Fischbacher - Meaning and Origin

Fischbacher: What does the surname Fischbacher mean?

Fischbacher is a German-language surname, deriving from the words Fisch (fish) and Bacher (dweller). The name is most likely of occupational origin, and refers to a profession working with or living near fish, such as a fisherman. Alternatively, the name may also have referred to an individual who produced goods or sold items made from fish such as leather or oils.

The surname Fischbacher is especially popular in Austria, the Upper Palatinate region of Bavaria, and Alsace and Lorraine in France. This surname may have been adopted by immigrants in those regions who moved from other parts of Germany to work in fisheries.

The Fischbacher surname is still found today throughout Germany and other parts of Europe. It is also common in the United States, having been brought by German and Austrian immigrants who arrived between the late 19th century and World War II.

In recent years, the surname has also gained some popularity in the United Kingdom. It is relatively rare, however, and stands out due to its interesting origins and unique spelling.

Fischbacher: Where does the name Fischbacher come from?

The last name Fischbacher is most commonly found in Austria and Germany today. There are a small number of families with this surname living in North America, Australia, and New Zealand. The Fischbacher name is derived from an occupational surname – fischbacher – meaning ‘fish seller’ or 'fishmonger'. It originated in the medieval period in Lower Austria and the German-speaking regions of Switzerland.

The earliest known example of the surname is from the 14th century. A person by the name of Kukhell Afischbacchari is listed in Flanders city archives as a fish seller in 1336. By the 16th century the Fischbacher family owned several fish ponds in Loucka, Austria and had become one of the most respected families in the region.

In the 18th century, some members of the family migrated to North America where they settled in Pennsylvania and Ohio. Later, other Fischbachers moved to South Australia in the 1850s, and to Canada and New Zealand in the 1900s.

Today, the Fischbacher surname is still found in Austria, Germany and several other countries around the world. Research has shown that currently there are 3,500 to 5,000 Fischbacher families in existence around the world.

Variations of the surname Fischbacher

Fischbacher is a German and Jewish surname. Its variants, spellings, and names of the same origin in various languages include Fischbacker, Fischbächer, Fischbecker, Fissbacher, Fiszbacher, Fischbach, Fischbecher, Fischbuch, Fischbeger, Fischbeher, Fischbuchler and Fischberger.

In German, the surname originates from the word "fisch" which means "fish" and “Bach” which means “creek” or “stream”, referring to a stream filled with fish. It was first used as a name to refer to people who lived by a stream abundant with fish. The surname is also found among Polish Jews.

The surname Fischbacher is an occupational name meaning "seller of fish" or "fisher" and thus typically appears with an "-er" suffix. There are several spelling variations of the name such as Fischbeck, Fischbüch, Fischbocher, Fischbecker and Fischbach.

In Austria, Fischbacher is most commonly found in the state of Lower Austria and along the Danube River Valley. In the city of Vienna, this surname was first recorded in the 14th century.

In Bavaria, Fischbacher is found throughout the various Bavarian regions such as Upper and Lower Bavaria, Franconia, Swabia and Oberpfalz.

The surname is also found throughout Germany with the highest concentration in the western and southern parts of Germany. In the United States, Fischbachers settled in the mid-1800s with the majority coming through the port of Baltimore, Maryland; and some of the first to arrive there were in the states of Pennsylvania, New York, and Illinois.

Famous people with the name Fischbacher

• Siegfried Fischbacher: Siegfried Fischbacher was a German-American entertainer and former partner of Roy Horn, well-known as half of the duo Siegfried & Roy.
• Roy Horn: Roy Horn was a German-American entertainment magician, emphasis on exotic animals, and former long-time partner of Siegfried Fischbacher of Siegfried & Roy.
• Harry Fischbacher: Harry Fischbacher was the personal manager to Siegfried & Roy, the Las Vegas-based, animal-focused illusionists.
• Willy Fischbacher: Willy Fischbacher was a German airman who was killed in World War Two.
• Max Fischbacher: Max Fischbacher was a former professional Swiss ice hockey player.
• Günther Fischbacher: Günther Fischbacher was a German footballer.
• Erika Fischbacher: Erika Fischbacher was a member of the Nationalrat of Switzerland from 2003 to 2011.
• Fritz Fischbacher: Fritz Fischbacher was a former Austrian footballer.
• Bernd Fischbacher: Bernd Fischbacher is a German painter.
• Maria Fischbacher: Maria Fischbacher is an Austrian slalom canoeist.

Other surnames

Fischbach