Surname Fitch - Meaning and Origin
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Fitch: What does the surname Fitch mean?
The surname Fitch is of Old French and Middle English origin. It's primarily derived from the Old French word 'fiche', which refers to a type of pole or stake. It is thought that when the surname was formed, it was likely occupational and referred to someone who made or sold these poles.
However, there's also a possibility that the name also comes from the Middle English term 'fitch', referring to a polecat (a type of weasel), thus could have been used to denote someone with the characteristics similar to a weasel, such as cunning.
In some cases, 'Fitch' could also be a topographical name for someone who lived near an area where these poles were produced or used. The distribution of this surname is more prevalent in England, implying its more concentrated origin and use in this region. It's still used widely today, with a number of notable individuals bearing this name.
Order DNA origin analysisFitch: Where does the name Fitch come from?
The surname Fitch is of Anglo-Saxon origin from medieval England. It is believed to be an occupational name deriving from the Old English word "fice," meaning polecat, and was likely given to a person who raised or hunted polecats. The name could also be locational, taken from a place where polecats were common.
Fitch has variants including Fitchett, Fitchitt, Fitchet, and Fitchew. Notably, the name was brought to North America by early settlers, and has hence grown in incidence in the United States. American business magnate and founder of Abercrombie & Fitch, David T. Abercrombie, is a notable bearer of the name.
The surname has spread across English-speaking countries worldwide. Today, the highest concentrations of people named Fitch are found in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. While it is not as common as some surnames, the global presence of the Fitch name is significant due to the patterns of British diaspora over centuries.
Variations of the surname Fitch
The surname Fitch originated from Old French and English. This name is thought to emerge firstly as a nickname from the word "fitchet" or "fitch," referring to a polecat. It may also have been a metonymic occupational term referring to a person who sold the furs of such animals.
Various spellings and variants of Fitch exist, including Fitchett, Fitchitt, Fitsch, Fitchet, Fitchit, and Fittch. These variations often developed due to regional dialects and the phonetic spelling of names in historical documents. Therefore, these variants sometimes served as tools in denoting someone's geographical origins or place of residence.
As for surnames of the same origin, ‘Fitchew,’ an archaic term for a polecat, is also recorded as a surname in England. Other surnames like Fitcher and Fitchett may have evolved independently but have similar origins and meanings. The variant spelling Fitchet is found predominantly in Ireland.
In conclusion, while Fitch is the most common form, many variants of the name exist, reflecting the geographical and social movement of families across centuries.
Famous people with the name Fitch
- Clyde Fitch: An American playwright known in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
- Aubrey Fitch: A U.S. Navy vice admiral with involvement in World War II.
- Bill Fitch: A former NBA coach who led the Boston Celtics to a championship in 1981.
- Ralph Fitch: An English merchant and early explorer of India in the 16th century.
- James Marston Fitch: An architect known for his work in historic preservation.
- Sheree J. Wilson: An actress whose maiden name is Fitch; best known for her roles in Dallas and Walker, Texas Ranger.
- Alison Fitch: A former freestyle swimmer from New Zealand who competed in the 1996 and 2000 Summer Olympics.
- Brian Fitch: English professional footballer, popular during the late 1960s and early 1970s.
- Dustin Fitch: An American professional wrestler.
- Graham Fitch: A well-known piano pedagogue.
- Valerie Fitch: Famous beauty queen, who won the title Miss California in 1988.
- John Fitch: An inventor, known for operating the first steamboat service in the United States. (Note: Mike Jeffries, the former CEO of Abercrombie & Fitch, does not have the last name Fitch but is often associated with it due to the brand name.)