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Fishel Family History

Fishel Surname Meaning

Jewish (Ashkenazic): from the Yiddish personal name Fishl literally ‘little fish’ used as a vernacular equivalent for the Biblical Efraym (Ephraim). Ephraim became associated with the fish because he was blessed by his father Jacob (Genesis 48:16) with the words veyidgu larov ‘Let them grow into a multitude’.

The verb yidgu contains the root letters of Hebrew dag ‘fish’. This connection between the name Ephraim and fish has deep cultural and historical significance in Jewish tradition.

As a result, the name Fishl symbolizes prosperity and growth, reflecting the blessings bestowed upon Ephraim.

Additionally, it serves as an Americanized form of the German name Fischel, further linking the name to its European roots.

This name, along with its variations, showcases the rich tapestry of Jewish naming customs and their meanings throughout history.

Source: Dictionary of American Family Names 2nd edition, 2022


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Where is the Fishel family from?

You can see how Fishel families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Fishel family name was found in the USA, the UK, Canada, and Scotland between 1840 and 1920. The most Fishel families were found in USA in 1880. In 1891 there were 34 Fishel families living in London. This was about 39% of all the recorded Fishel's in United Kingdom. London had the highest population of Fishel families in 1891.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Fishel surname lived. Within census records, you can often find information like name of household members, ages, birthplaces, residences, and occupations.
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What did your Fishel ancestors do for a living?

In 1939, Master Tailor and Unpaid Domestic Duties were the top reported jobs for men and women in the United Kingdom named Fishel. 100% of Fishel men worked as a Master Tailor and 100% of Fishel women worked as an Unpaid Domestic Duties.

View Census Data for Fishel | Data not to scale

*We display top occupations by gender to maintain their historical accuracy during times when men and women often performed different jobs.

Top Male Occupations In 1939

  • Master Tailor
    100%

Top Female Occupations In 1939

  • Unpaid Domestic Duties
    100%

What Fishel family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 15,000 census records available for the last name Fishel. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Fishel census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search UK census records for Fishel

Passenger Lists

There are 1,000 immigration records available for the last name Fishel. Passenger lists are your ticket to knowing when your ancestors arrived in the UK, and how they made the journey - from the ship name to ports of arrival and departure.

View all Fishel immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 3,000 military records available for the last name Fishel. For the veterans among your Fishel ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Fishel military records

You've only scratched the surface of Fishel family history

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What is the average Fishel lifespan?

Between 1946 and 2004, in the United States, Fishel life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1960, and highest in 1995. The average life expectancy for Fishel in 1946 was 37, and 73 in 2004.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Fishel

An unusually short lifespan might indicate that your Fishel ancestors lived in harsh conditions. A short lifespan might also indicate health problems that were once prevalent in your family. The SSDI is a searchable database of more than 70 million names. You can find birthdates, death dates, addresses and more.

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