Surname Fishbein - Meaning and Origin

Fishbein: What does the surname Fishbein mean?

The last name Fishbein is a Jewish Ashkenazi name, of German origin and derived from the Yiddish word “fisch” which translates to ‘fish.’ The enhancive form of this is “fischbien,” which translates to ‘fishbone.’ It is believed that this surname was given to individuals who had a large catch of fish or were renowned fisherman. Alternatively, it may have been given to someone who worked in the jewelry business as “Fisch” is the German word for ‘jewel.’ Rabbi Jacob Fishbein of Troyes, France is considered its first carrier.

Throughout history, this surname was used as a patronymic surname which could be found in many different languages, from French, Italian, Russian, and Hungarian. Early records of the surname date back to the 12th century when one Abraham Fishbein was listed in the documents of Colmar. In 1470, a large number of Jewish settlement was established in London with Nathaniel Fishbein as its first Rabbi.

Fishbein is a common surname today, especially among Ashkenazi Jews. It is especially prominent in Israel, with the most recent statistics showing 10,288 people bearing the name. It may be assumed that over the course of time, those with the surname were able to maintain the same tradition and pass down the identifying traits from generation to generation.

Fishbein: Where does the name Fishbein come from?

The last name Fishbein is an Ashkenazic Jewish surname from Poland. It is believed to have originated in the Silesian region of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth in the 16th or 17th century.

The Fishbein name is most common today in Israel, where it is thought that 15,000 to 20,000 people carry the name. It is also commonly found in the United States, with approximately 10,000 American Fishbeins according to the 2020 US Census. Other countries where Fishbein is found in significant numbers include Poland, the United Kingdom, France, Canada, Argentina, and Russia.

In the United States, Fishbein is most prevalent in the New York City area, including Brooklyn where many Eastern European Jewish families settled in the early 20th century. Fishbein is also common in Florida, Massachusetts, California, and Illinois.

The Fishbein name is uncommonly found among Spanish-speaking countries, although a few Fishbein families have settled in Argentina since the early 20th century. Fishbein is a rare surname in Mexico and other parts of Latin America and Iberia, likely due to the migratory patterns of their Jewish ancestors.

Given its Ashkenazic Jewish roots, the Fishbein name has also spread across Europe, with larger numbers in the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Austria. While not as popular in continental Europe as it is in the United States and Israel, Fishbein is still present in small numbers.

Variations of the surname Fishbein

Fishbein is a surname of Jewish origin which can be found in both Ashkenazi and Sephardic communities. The variants of the name include Fishman, Fishbin, Fischbaum, Fischbin, Fischbein, Fischbien, Fischmann, Fischel, and Fischhoff.

The Sephardic variant of the surname Fishbein is "Pesben". It originated in Spain, and those who carried the name can be traced back to the re-settlement of the Spanish and Portuguese communities in Amsterdam in the 17th century. This variant derives from the Spanish word "pesebre" meaning “manger” or “nativity scene”, which symbolizes the Pesach Seder.

The Ashkenazi variant of Fishbein is "Fishman". Its origin lies in the Slavic word for “fish”, “ryba”, which was adopted into Yiddish. The surname was adopted as a personal identifier, referring to a person who sold, dealt with or lived near a fishing ground. This variant is particularly prominent in East and Central Europe, with records indicating its earliest occurrences in the 16th century in the city of Zamosc, Poland.

In addition, the surname "Fishbein" has also been Anglicized, emerging in the United States in the late 19th century as Fischbein. This variant can be found in records of German immigrants who first settled in Pennsylvania.

Famous people with the name Fishbein

• Eugene Fishbein: Eugene Fishbein is a professional film and television composer, soundtrack producer, and orchestrator. He has created the original music for some of the best-loved films of our time, including Forrest Gump, Raiders of the Lost Ark, The Sixth Sense, and The Notebook. Fishbein has also written extensively for television, composing music for such shows as NYPD Blue, ER, and Providence.
• Morris Fishbein: Morris Fishbein was one of the most influential medical figures of the 20th century. He was the long-time editor of the Journal of the American Medical Association, and was a major force in shaping medical education, research, and practice during the mid-20th century. He wrote extensively on politics, medicine, and public health, and was one of the most important voices in the medical establishment for several decades.
• Jay Fishbein: Jay Fishbein is a financial planner and author who has written books about how to take charge of your financial life. He has written for Forbes, Money Magazine, CNN Money, and other financial publications. His expertise lies in advice on retirement and estate planning, investments, and other topics related to personal finance.
• Jack Fishbein: Jack Fishbein was a television producer and executive who worked with such legendary directors as Stanley Kubrick, Orson Welles, and Alfred Hitchcock. He served as the president of Universal Pictures Television during the 1970s, and was the executive in charge of the production of such classic television shows as The Six Million Dollar Man and The Incredible Hulk.

Other surnames

Fishbeyn