Fishman
A surname that most likely began as an occupational name for someone who dealt in fish, especially a fish seller or fisherman.
The #5,040 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 44,347 Americans shares it.
Etymology
Fishman is a transparent surname built from "fish" + "man." In English, that points to an occupational name for someone who caught, sold, or worked with fish; in Jewish contexts, it can also reflect an English-style occupational surname adopted in Yiddish-speaking communities. The form is straightforward enough that it may have arisen independently in more than one tradition.
History
The name appears in English records as an occupational-style surname and is also found among Jewish families, especially where surnames were taken or adapted in English-speaking countries. Because it is a common, transparent compound, it could have multiple origins rather than a single family line. Modern bearers are most often associated with English-speaking countries, especially the United States.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
Unlike many surnames that became opaque over time, Fishman still reads almost exactly like the job title it probably came from.
From the historical record
“Fisherman, 273. Antony Fishenian, FF. Andrew Fishman, FF. Fishmonger, 334. WiUiam Fyshmon- ger, F. Fiske, 274, 496. William Fyske, Q.”
— English Surnames: their sources and significations