This surname is derived from an occupation. 'the fletcher,' a maker of arrows. The patternmakers petitioned the Commons in 1464 to have restored to them the use of the 'Tymber called aspe,' lately the monopoly of arrow manufacturers, 'So that the Flecchers thorough the Reame (realm) may sell their arrows at more esy price' (Rot. Pari., Edward IV).

'Paied to Guilliam the kinge's ffletcher for arowes for my lorde of Kichemonde xxs.': Privy Purse Expenses, Henry VIII.

1542. 'Payd to the fletcher for fetherynge of a shaffe of shayffe array': Raine's History and Antiquities of North Durham.

In the old Guilds we find the Bowyers and Fletchers invariably walking together (v. Bowyer).

Ralph le Fleccher, Lincolnshire, 1273. Hundred Rolls.

Nicholas le Flecher, Lincolnshire, ibid.

Adam le Flecher, Northamptonshire, ibid.

Henry le Fletcher, ibid.

Robert le Fleccher. Rotuli Litterarum Clausarum in Turri Londinesi.

Adam le Fletcher. Guild of St. George, Norwich.

Robertus Fleger, 1379: Poll Tax of Yorkshire.

From the occupation, Old French flechier, apperently one who attached the feches or feathers to the arrow-shaft, later 'arrow-maker.'"Though not of old standing in Scotland, the Fletchers were among the most ancient and reputable of the English barons, those of Salton and Inverpeffer being direct descendants of Sir Bernard Fletcher of the county of York" (Jervise LL., p. 348). John Flechyr held a burgage in Roxbergh c. 1338 (Dryburgh, p. 263), and Baty Flessor held land in Ayr c. 1340 (Friars Ayr, p. 15) Henry Flesher was burgess of Forfar, 1374, Malcolm Fleschar, citizen of Brechin, 1482, Robert Flescher was chaplain there, 1497, ana Mr. John Flescheour, vicar of Kirriemuir, 1500 (Stodart, II, p. 341). Patrick Flegear, dean of Christianity of Inverness, 1461 (Invernessiana), may be Patrick Flegear, chaplain in Arnbroath, 1464 (RAA., II, p. 138). Nicholas Flegiar was admitted burgess of Aberdeen, 1464 (NSCM,, I, p. 19), and Ewin Flegeare had a remission for holding Dumbarton Castle against the king, 1489 (APS., XII, p. 34). Arnchibald Flegger, witness in Glasgow, 1539, appears in 1543 as Fleggeour (LCD., p. 121,127). John Flagear was canon of St. Andrews, 1566 (Laing, 809), and Muldonich Phledgeour was fined in 1613 for reset of Clan Gregor (RPC., XIV, p. 635). Fletcher of Innerpeffer appears in 1631 as Flesher and in 1647 as Flescheour. In the seventeenth century the name became almost hopelessly confused with the name Flesher, which see. The following are variant spellings (all in Laing) of the name of Thomas Flesser, clerk of the diocese of St. Andrews and of his son: Flessher 1537, Fleschor 1552, Fletcheour 1539, Flescheoir and Fleschour 1563, Flescher 1589, Flesshour 1552, and Fleschar 1541. Flager 1627, Fiedler 1612, Fleger 1609; Flessar, Flesser. See also Macleister.

(Teutonic) Arrow Fledger or Featherer [Middle English fletcher, fleccher; Old English fly(c)ge (flight of birds, arrows), whence English fledge, to be furnished with feathers. Or through French (cp. French fléchier, arrow- maker) from Low German; cp. Dutch flits, an arrow] Henry le Fletcher.—Hundred Rolls Robert le Fleccher.—Close Rolls.

“Maker and Seller of Arrows”. (“Fleche” in Old French).

(English) One who made or sold arrows, and sometimes bows as well.

French fleche, an arrow. A maker of arrows-a common and most necessary trade in the middle ages. Le Flecher, Le Flecchir, Le Fletcher. H.R.

An arrow maker-they bear four arrow heads in their arms.

A maker of arrows, or superintendant of archery. From the French flèche, an arrow.

Edward Fletcher was deputy-governor in 1621, and governor in 1622. This family, a branch of a well-known family in Lancashire, were large landed pro­prietors here in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, The estate of Ballafletcher in Braddan, which belonged to them, formerly contained five quarterlands.

Or Le Flechier. Robert Flechier occurs in Normandy 1198 (Magni Rotuli Scaccarii Normanniae); Adam le Flecker in England, c. 1272 (Rotuli Hundredorum); Denis Flecharius of Lincoln occurs 1203 (Rotulus Cancellarii). Robert le Flecker and Denis held by serjeantry in Lincoln (Testa, 347,371), 13th cent. Of this name are the Baronets Fletcher.

From the Flemish, Vleeschauwhr; from the French, Fléchard; from the Dutch, Fleischer; a personal name.

Fletcher: an arrowsmith; French flèche.

Fletcher. —This name has its principal home in the adjacent counties of Derby and Notts. It is, however, also fairly distributed over England, except in the southern counties south of a line joining the mouths of the Thames and the Severn, and in the east coast counties between the Thames and the Wash. Though, in all probability, the modern Fletchers usually represent the bow - makers of the Middle Ages, it is also likely that they include some of the original "fleshers" or butchers, such transformations being very easily made in the days of uncertain orthography, especially when inclination led the way.