Fishel

Fishel is a Yiddish surname. It is derived from the Yiddish given name "Fishel," which itself is a diminutive form of "Ephraim." Ephraim is a Hebrew name meaning "fruitful" or "fertile." The "Fishel" diminutive often carried the connotation of "little Ephraim" or a term of endearment.

As a surname, Fishel, and its variant spellings, became common among Ashkenazi Jewish communities throughout Eastern Europe. Like many Jewish surnames, it was adopted during periods when Jews were required to register surnames with local authorities. The surname has since spread globally with Jewish diaspora.

Variant spellings include, but are not limited to: Fischel, Fishelson, Fischelson, Fishl, Fishlowitz. These variations often reflect regional differences in pronunciation and spelling conventions. The suffix "-son" or "-witz" indicates "son of Fishel."