Surname Fichtler - Meaning and Origin

Fichtler: What does the surname Fichtler mean?

The last name Fichtler is a German surname with two possible origins of this name. The first possibility of this name originates from a location or geographical site. In this case, the name could be derived from the German city of Fichtelberg, which was located in what is now Thuringia, Germany. The second potential origin of this name is associated with an occupation. In this case, the name could be derived from the German word “Fichtler,” which referred to a type of hatmaker.

It is possible that the Fichtler family first moved to other parts of Germany when their skills and traditions were in demand. Many of the Fichtler families eventually migrated to other parts of Europe and the world, taking their trades and last name with them. In English, Fichtler is often spelled Fickel or Fikel.

Today, the surname Fichtler is found throughout the world, with many individuals hailing from the United States, Canada, Argentina, South Africa, Germany, and other countries. The prevalence of the surname implies that the Fichtler family has been spread far and wide, continuing to pass down their name and heritage, while maintaining their own meaningful traditions.

Fichtler: Where does the name Fichtler come from?

The last name Fichtler is most common in Germany today. According to results from the 1990s, the name is most commonly found in North Rhine-Westphalia, Bavaria, and Lower Saxony. Fichtler is also present in Austria, Switzerland, and Luxembourg.

In the United States, the last name Fichtler is not particularly common. As of the 2000 US Census, there were only 339 individuals with this name. The states with the highest recorded numbers of Fichtler's were Pennsylvania, New York, California, Texas, and Massachusetts. It is possible that the numbers may have grown since this survey was taken. For example, the name Fichtler was not present in the 2015 American Community Survey.

In other parts of the world, Fichtler is also not a particularly common last name. In the United Kingdom, it was not among the top 1000 most frequently used last names as of 2018. There were also only limited instances of this name in Australia, New Zealand, Canada and South Africa.

Overall, the last name Fichtler is most commonly found in Germany and other German-speaking countries. It is not particularly common in other parts of the world.

Variations of the surname Fichtler

The surname Fichtler is derived from a German occupational name for a fletcher, which is a person who manufactures bows and arrows. It is also believed to be derived from the German words 'vicht' or 'ficht' meaning 'bilberry'.

Variants of this surname include Fichtle, Fichtel, Fichtelmann, Fitel, Fittel, and Fittl. Spellings vary from region to region, and often the initial 'F' can be replaced with a 'V', making the spelling Vichtler, Vichtle, Vichtel, Vitel, Vittel, and Vittl. In some cases, an occasional 'H' can be added following the 'F' to create 'FH' spellings such as Fichtler and Fichtel, with variant spellings Fichtle, Fitel, Fittel, Fittl.

A number of related surnames exist, including Ficht, Feicht, Feichtl, Fichtner, Fichtmayer, Ficktner, Fittner, Fitts, and Fitter. These variations may be found in European countries such as Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, and Poland.

In some cases, a person with the surname Fichtler may choose to change their spelling to another similar language, such as ‘Fičel' in Slovenian or ‘Vickel' in Swedish. This would require an official change with the relevant authorities and is not done often.

Overall, the surname Fichtler can be found in many countries and in numerous spellings. It is most commonly derived from the German occupational name of the fletcher and may also be linked to the German words 'vicht' or 'ficht' meaning 'bilberry'. Variants, spellings and related surnames include Fichtle, Fichtel, Fichtelmann, Fitel, Fittel, and Fittl, as well as Ficht, Feicht, Feichtl, Fichtner, Fichtmayer, Ficktner, Fittner, Fitts, and Fitter.

Famous people with the name Fichtler

• David Fichtner: American actor, known for his roles in films such as Heat, The Lucky One, and The Cider House Rules.
• Carl Fichtner: American orthopedic surgeon and Professor Emeritus of Clinical Orthopedic Surgery at Washington University in St. Louis.
• Matthew Fichtner: American actor best known for his roles on the television series such as as Adam Stern on The Mentalist, Logan Reed on House, and Billy Taggart on Third Watch.
• Mark Fichtner: German professional footballer who plays for 1. FC Kaiserslautern.
• Philip Fichtner: American musician and composer know for his contribution to film and television scores such as Numb3rs, Burn Notice, and Without a Trace.
• Allan Fichtner: Canadian-born former professional ice hockey player best known for his time in the National Hockey League (NHL) with the Chicago Blackhawks and Toronto Maple Leafs.
• Larry Fichtner: American basketball player known for playing for the University of California, Berkeley.
• Helmut Fichtner: German actor best known for his role in the television series Lindenstraße.
• Stephen Fichtner: American actor and producer known for his appearances in films such as The Age of Adeline and The Dark Knight Rises.
• Michael Fichtner: American music producer and mixer based in Los Angeles, California.

Other surnames

Fichtl