Fischer/Fisher Heraldry and Genealogy: A Geographical Perspective
Fischer/Fisher Heraldry and Genealogy: A Geographical Perspective; by Frederick George Siler; 2025; 8.5x11; Soft Cover; Perfect Bound; Color heraldic illustrations; 256 pp; ISBN: 978-1-62859-397-6; Item # FR0707.
This one-of-a kind book is the 6th in a series exploring the heraldry and genealogy of common German surnames, with a focus on the English-speaking family historian who seeks another fresh approach to their research. This is not another book about how to trace your German ancestors or a reprint of readily available information from other sources. Armed with this book, the reader will start to overcome barriers of language and shifting state boundaries.
Discover How to Enhance Your Family History
1. Find out about the origins, meanings, variations and distribution of the Fischer/Fisher surname.
2. Over 3500 place names of historical and modern geographic locales in the Holy Roman, German, and Austria Empires, as well as Switzerland.
3. Synopses of 33 current and past Germanic political states and regions, with links to genealogy records at the FamilySearch website.
4. Illustrations of 126 coats-of-arms as well as genealogical and geographical information on the associated families.
5. A Glossary of Heraldic Symbolism with over 400 interpretive definitions.
6. A chapter devoted to interpreting the heraldry of Fischer.
The following is from the Table of Contents
FRONT MATTER
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
PREFACE
INTRODUCTION
CHAPTER 1 - Synthesizing Heraldry and Genealogy
What is Heraldry?
Common Aspects of Genealogy
Heraldry and the Family Historian
Geography as a fundamental tool for integrating heraldry and genealogy
Associating a coat of arms with your ancestor
CHAPTER 2 - An Introduction to German Heraldry
Historical Background of Germanic Heraldry
Components of the Germanic Coat of arms
Modern German Heraldry
CHAPTER 3 - Heraldic Symbolism
Introduction to heraldic symbolism
Symbolism of the colors, furs, lines, divisions, and ordinaries
Symbolism of the common charges
Animals; Imaginary Beasts; Birds; Flowers and Plants; Insects and Reptiles; Aquatic Life; Heavenly Bodies; Inanimate Items; Human Beings; Spiritual Beings
CHAPTER 4 - An Introduction to the Fischer Surname
Origins, Etymology, and meanings of the name
Variations of the Fischer surname
Metamorphoses of German Surnames
Some Grammatical Effects on German Surnames
Location and distribution of the surname
Some historical documentations of Fischer
CHAPTER 5 - Fischer Armorial Bearings: Defining the Elements
Introduction to the geographical territory
Bearer(s) of the coat of arms
Specific geographical locale(s) associated with the bearer(s)
Levels of administrative units
Bearer(s) of the arms and associated family
Description of the coat of arms
Interpreting the coat of arms
Other geographical locale(s)
Additional geographical and genealogical resources
CHAPTER 6 - Fischer Heraldry and Genealogy: A Geographical Perspective - by Area
Austria (p. 38), Baden-Württemberg (p. 41), Bavaria (p. 47), Berlin (p. 57),
Brandenburg (p. 58), Czech Republic (p. 60), Denmark (p.64), East Prussia
(p.67), Galicia (p. 69), Germany (p.70), Hamburg (p.72), Hesse (p. 74),
Hungary (p.75), Latvia (p.77), Lower Austria (p. 80), Lower Saxony (p. 84),
North Rhine-Westphalia (p. 86), Pomerania (p. 88), Prussia (p. 90),
Rhineland-Palatinate (p. 91), Romania (p.95), Salzburg (p.96), Saxony (p.
98), Saxony-Anhalt (p. 100), Schleswig-Holstein (p.104), Silesia (p.106),
Slovakia (p.111), Styria (p.115), Switzerland (p. 117), Thuringia (p.128),
Tyrol (p. 135), Vienna (p. 147) Vorarlberg (p. 149)
CHAPTER 7 - Interpreting the Heraldry of Fischer
Heraldic devices associated with the meaning of the surname
Ancient House or Family Marks
Armorial Achievements Illustrating a Military Theme
Coats of Arms Displaying Symbols of the Bearer's Christian Faith
The Evolution of a Family Coat of Arms
Curious and Uncommon Charges
Emblems or Devices Indicating an Accomplishment or Achievement Identifying Different Branches of a Family
APPENDIX A - Gallery of Fischer Coats of Arms
APPENDIX B - Glossary of Heraldic Symbolism
APPENDIX C - Online Genealogy Research by Location
APPENDIX D - A Guide to Additional Resources
APPENDIX E –A Glossary of Special Terminology
INDEX - Historical and Modern Geographical Locales