FITZGERALD
Recorded variant spellings include Fitz Gerald, Fitz-Gerald, Fitz-gerald, Fitzgerald
FitzGerald is a surname of profound historical significance within the British Isles, particularly in Ireland. Its etymology is rooted in the Gaelic phrase Mac Gearailt, translating literally to "son of Gerald." The personal name Gerald itself is derived from the Germanic elements ger ("spear") and wald ("rule"), thereby rendering the surname's full meaning as "son of the spear‑ruler."
The name was introduced to Ireland during the Anglo‑Norman invasion of 1170, when the families of Norman descent settled across the island. The FitzGerald lineage quickly rose to prominence, becoming one of the most powerful and influential dynasties in Irish history. Their association with the Gaelic and Norman traditions created a distinctive Hiberno‑Norman heritage, encapsulated in the patronymic prefix Fitz-, meaning "son of" in Norman French.
Two principal branches of the clan dominated medieval and early modern Ireland. The Earls of Desmond, sixteen holders of the title from 1329 to 1601, established a stronghold in south Munster. The Earls of Kildare, later elevated to the Dukes of Leinster, controlled a substantial portion of east Leinster from 1316 until 1766. A particularly renowned figure was Garret Mor Fitzgerald, the eighth Earl of Kildare, who died in 1513; contemporary accounts record that King Henry V praised his governance of Ireland.
In addition to the Irish noble context, the surname has been borne by notable individuals across various spheres. Although the sources mainly reference Irish history, modern bearers include the celebrated American jazz singer Ella Fitzgerald and American author F. Scott Fitzgerald, illustrating the surname’s broader cultural reach.
Today, over thirteen thousand individuals in Ireland carry the surname FitzGerald. The name has spread to other English‑speaking nations such as the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, and Australia. Variants of the name, reflecting regional linguistic influences, include Fitzgeralds, FitzGerald‑Lombard, MacGerailt (Scottish Gaelic form), and MacGearailt (Irish Gaelic form). These variations demonstrate the surname’s adaptability while retaining its core patronymic identity.
Typical given names associated with the FitzGerald surname
Male
- Anthony
- David
- James
- John
- Mark
- Michael
- Patrick
- Paul
- Stephen
- Thomas
Female
- Claire
- Elizabeth
- Emma
- Helen
- Lisa
- Margaret
- Mary
- Patricia
- Sarah
- Susan
Similar and related surnames
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.
How to communicate the surname FitzGerald in...
Braille
⠋⠊⠞⠵⠛⠑⠗⠁⠇⠙
Morse
..-...---..--...-..-.-..-..
Semaphore
Did you know?
According to a survey carried out by Democracy Club, politicians and candidates with the surname FitzGerald are most likely to say that their favourite biscuit is a Gingernut.
There are approximately 18,403 people named FitzGerald in the UK. That makes it the 471st most common surname in Britain. Around 283 in a million people in Britain are named FitzGerald.
Origin: Celtic
Region of origin: British Isles
Country of origin: Ireland
Religion of origin: Christian
Language of origin: Gaelic
Famous people named FitzGerald
- F. Scott Fitzgerald - Novelist and screenwriter from the United States (1896 to 1940)
- Tara Fitzgerald - Actress
- Penelope Fitzgerald - Writer (1916 to 2000)
- Lorna Fitzgerald - Character actress
- Desmond FitzGerald, 29th Knight of Glin - Irish historian and hereditary knight (1937 to 2011)
- Ella Fitzgerald - American jazz singer (1917 to 1996)
- Edward FitzGerald - Fitzgerald, Edward (1809 to 1883)
- Maurice FitzGerald, 9th Duke of Leinster - Irish nobleman
- Frankie Fitzgerald - Actor
- Larry Fitzgerald - All-American college football player, professional football player, wide receiver
- James R. Fitzgerald - American criminal profiler
- Scott Fitzgerald - Amateur boxer
- Scott Fitzgerald - Singer-songwriter
- Michael L. Fitzgerald - Archbishop
- Patrik Fitzgerald - Singer-songwriter
- Adrian FitzGerald - Politician
- Gerald FitzGerald, 8th Duke of Leinster - Irish peer (1914 to 2004)
- Kate Fitzgerald - Television actor
- Scott Fitzgerald - Football player
- Thomas FitzGerald, Earl of Offaly - Irish Earl (1974 to 1997)
Names and descriptions courtesy of Wikipedia, and may contain errors. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of every famous person with this name.