Surname Visser - Meaning and Origin

Visser: What does the surname Visser mean?

The last name Visser is originally of Dutch origin and is derived from the word ‘visser’, meaning ‘fisher’ or ‘fisherman’. This occupational surname was first used to describe someone who made their living from fishing, a profession that has been practiced in the Netherlands for centuries. As the surname spread around Europe, the spelling was gradually altered in various countries with the spelling often corresponding to their local language.

The Visser surname also has some alternate spellings such as Visschers, Fisser, and Fisschers, all of which have the same meaning. The Visser surname is a common occupational surname throughout Europe, particularly in the Netherlands and Germany. In the Netherlands, the Vissers are a large family spread throughout the country and are typically found in the northern and eastern parts of the country.

In America, the Visser surname is comparatively more common than in Europe due to the frequent immigration of Dutch people into the United States. Those who carry the Visser name in America can trace their ancestry to Dutch immigrants who arrived in the late 19th century.

The Visser surname is a timeless representation of Dutch heritage and an occupation that many generations practised. With its many variants, it can be found all over Europe and America, a testament to the hardworking, seafaring ancestors that came before.

Visser: Where does the name Visser come from?

The last name Visser is primarily associated with the Netherlands, although it is found in other parts of Europe and the world. It is a Dutch patronymic surname derived from the given name Visser, which is derived from the Dutch word visser, meaning "fisherman".

Visser can be found in both the Netherlands and Belgium, the two main sources of Dutch emigration during the late 19th and early 20th century. It is particularly common in rural parts of both countries, particularly in the provinces of Noord-Brabant and Zeeland in the Netherlands and West Flanders in Belgium.

In recent years, the name has spread further across the globe. It is particularly common on the east and west coasts of the United States of America, which received many Dutch immigrants during the 19th century, as well as Canada, where many Dutch settlers established settlements in the 17th and 18th centuries.

The Netherlands continues to be an important destination for people with the surname Visser, and large numbers have migrated to the country, particularly from Germany and France. In addition, there are a large number of people with the surname living in the United Kingdom, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. With the ease of modern transportation, the name can be found in many other parts of the world too.

Variations of the surname Visser

The surname Visser has several variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. The most common variant of Visser is Fisher, derived from the occupation of fishing that was traditionally associated with this surname. Other variants include Fisser, Venneker, Fisch, Fiske, Fischbach, Fisk, Visse, Vissers, Visscher, Visschers and Viccer.

The Visser surname is historically associated with the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Sweden, Denmark and England. It comes from the Old German word vissar which means “fisher” and was a common Germanic name for a fisherman. The surname may also have originated from a Dutch or Germanic word meaning “broom maker”, as a reference to the handmade brooms made by many fishermen in medieval Europe.

The Visser surname is distributed across most of Europe, including the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Denmark, England and Sweden, and is also common in the United States and Canada. It is also quite common in South Africa, where it is derived from Dutch immigrants who settled there during the early 1800s. The surname Visser is also found in Australia, most likely due to Dutch immigration in the 19th century.

Overall, Visser is a common surname that has several variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin, providing many clues about the family’s history and heritage.

Famous people with the name Visser

• Mariska Visser: a Dutch model and singer who was the first artist chosen to appear on the Eurovision Song Contest.
• Jan Visser: a Dutch professional cyclist and five-time Olympic medallist between 1956 and 1972.
• Tjaard Visser: a Dutch entrepreneur and internet pioneer.
• Johannes Marius Visser: a Dutch writer and author of comics such as the popular detective comic Max en Moritz.
• Dirk Visser: a Dutch landscape painter and animal artist.
• Jaap Visser: a Dutch theologian and pastor. He has written many books on the topics of pastoral care and personal counseling.
• Geert Visser: a Dutch contemporary painter whose works are on display in a range of cities around the world.
• Oscar Visser: a Dutch director best known for his award-winning 2011 film The Golden Hour.
• Iser Visser: a Dutch professor and researcher in the fields of psychology, mental health, mental health law, human rights, and journalism.
• Wybo Visser: a Dutch architect and designer who has designed monuments in cities like Amsterdam.

Other surnames

VisseringVissers