fiddler

fiddler · noun¹

1. Old English · inherited fromfiþelere
2. Middle English · inherited fromfithelere
3. English todayfiddler

From Middle English fithelere, from Old English fiþelere, from *fiþele. By surface analysis, fiddl(e) + -er. * (capstan-house): So called because the fiddle would sometimes be played to cheer the sailors working there.

Fiddler · proper noun²

From fiddler, an occupational surname for someone who played the fiddle.