Fitter

Fitter
This interesting surname is job descriptive, and almost certainly of Olde English pre 10th century origins, although not apparently recorded (see below) until the 12th century. The term "fitter" clearly did not mean the same in medieval times as it does today, not the least because the fairly primitive existence did not require the same skills as was the later norm in the Industrial Revolution from 1740 onwards. The eminent Victorian etymologist Canon Charles Bardsley described a fitter as a form of carpenter, one who had a specific responsibility for assembling wood sections, but it seems more likely that the term "to fit" described a more basic function of loading ships with their cargo, rather than an engineering practice. The surname is found in most regions of England, although more so at points with facilities for shipping, again a pointer to a land based nautical application. The Coat of Arms of Fitter again suggests a nautical meaning, the blazon being a black field charged with two silver swans with gold beaks, between gold flaunches. Examples of the early recordings include Hugh le Fittere in the Close Rolls of Gloucester for the year 1231 in the reign of Henry 111, whilst later in London in 1548 Helen Fytter is recorded as "buried at St Michaels Church, Cornhill." Other examples include William Fitter of Hanbury christened on August 5th 1581, and Mary Fitter, who married Thomas Smart at Alvechurch, Worcestershire, on October 5th 1680. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Geoffrey Le Fittere, which was dated 1195, in the Pipe Rolls of Warwickshire, during the reign of King Richard 1, known as "The Lionheart," 1189 - 1199. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.

Surnames reference. 2013.

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  • Fitter — may refer to:* Fitter (aircraft), a Soviet attack aircraft * Fitter (occupation), a person who uses machine tools to make or modify partsPeople named Fitter:* Alastair Fitter, British ecologist * Arn Fitter (1962 1996), Estonian singer and… …   Wikipedia

  • fitter — fit‧ter [ˈfɪtə ǁ ər] noun [countable] MANUFACTURING JOBS someone who repairs or puts together machines or electrical equipment: • a gas fitter * * * fitter UK US /ˈfɪtər/ noun [C] ► a person whose job is to repair or put tog …   Financial and business terms

  • Fitter — Fit ter, n. 1. One who fits or makes to fit; esp.: (a) One who tries on, and adjusts, articles of dress. (b) One who fits or adjusts the different parts of machinery to each other. [1913 Webster] 2. A coal broker who conducts the sales between… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Fitter — Fit ter, n. A little piece; a flitter; a flinder. [Obs.] [1913 Webster] Where s the Frenchman? Alas, he s all fitters. Beau. & Fl. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • fitter — (n.) 1650s, agent noun from FIT (Cf. fit) (v.) …   Etymology dictionary

  • fitter — [fit′ər] n. a person who fits; specif., a) a person who alters or adjusts garments to fit b) a person who installs or adjusts machinery, pipes, etc …   English World dictionary

  • fitter — [ fɪtə] (d; tr.) to fitter through (d; intr.) to fitter into (foreign influence began to fitter into the country) …   Combinatory dictionary

  • fitter — UK [ˈfɪtə(r)] / US [ˈfɪtər] noun [countable] Word forms fitter : singular fitter plural fitters someone whose job is to put in place machines, pipes, or pieces of equipment so that they are ready to use a gas/window fitter …   English dictionary

  • fitter — [[t]fɪ̱tə(r)[/t]] fitters N COUNT A fitter is a person whose job is to put together, adjust, or install machinery or equipment. George was a fitter at the shipyard …   English dictionary

  • fitter — Ⅰ. fit [1] ► ADJECTIVE (fitter, fittest) 1) of a suitable quality, standard, or type to meet the required purpose. 2) in good health, especially through regular physical exercise. 3) (fit to do) informal on the point of doing. 4) …   English terms dictionary

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