This interesting Germanic surname has a Slavonic suffix, indicating at some point in its development that it came under Polish influence. It derives from the Roman "persicium", which translates literally as "peach", through the French "peche", to the German "pfersich" and "fersch" in the late medieval period. German surnames did not become hereditary in a true sense until the 17th Century, well after England and France, and this is often reflected in a wide variety of suffix endings onto basic name forms. Endearment and ornamental surnames, which originated as pre 10th Century baptismal or given names, have always been popular in Saxon countries, although sometimes they are metonymics for a keeper of an orchard specialising in peaches, pears and apples. In this case, the Slavonic diminutive to imply, "little Fersch" or "kin of Fersch", has been added. This takes the forms of "ak, uk" and "ke", but all have the same basic meaning. Amongst the early recordings which reflect the "base" origins are: Ludwig Ferschen, who married Margaretta Messner at Neckarkreis, Wuertt, on July 1st 1599, and Agnes Farske, who married Peter Kalisch at Bautzen, Sachsen, on April 21st 1761. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Gertrude Ferschuck (as spelt), which was dated May 14th 1782, marriage to Georgius Haeffner, at Rheinhessen, Hessen, Germany, during the reign of Emperor Joseph 11 of the German Empire, 1765 - 1790. 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.