Fletcher is an Anglo-Norman surname of French, English, Scottish and Irish origin. The name is a regional (La Flèche) and an occupational name for an arrowsmith (a maker and or seller of arrows), derived from the Old French flecher (in turn from Old French fleche "arrow"). The English word was borrowed into the Goidelic languages, leading to the development of the Scottish name "Mac an Fhleisteir" (also spelt "Mac an Fhleisdeir"), "the arrowsmith's son". While Fletcher was the occupational name, it was more often not the surname of a fletcher or arrowsmith professional. The progenitor of the family was Jean de la Flèche, a Norman noble from La Flèche, where he later succeeded his father to became its second seigneur (lord) and held its original castle. He was the youngest son of Seigneur Lancelin I de Beaugency (the first lord of Beaugency) and he married Paula of Maine, daughter of the Count of Maine. They were the parents of Elias I, Count of Maine and great grandparents of King Henry II. Jean de la Flèche was granted land in England for services by William the Conqueror and some of his decedents and family settled in Yorkshire, England following the Norman Conquest.

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