Fact-checked by Grok 2 weeks ago

Fitz

Fitz is an Anglo-Norman prefix incorporated into surnames to denote "son of," originating from the Old French terms fiz or filz, which trace back to the Latin filius meaning "son."^[1]^[2] This nomenclature emerged in medieval England following the Norman Conquest, serving to distinguish paternal lineage in official records and noble pedigrees, often applied to legitimate heirs but particularly associated with illegitimate sons of royalty and aristocracy—for instance, FitzRoy signifying "son of the king."^[1]^[2] The prefix proliferated in Ireland through Anglo-Norman incursions, yielding surnames like Fitzpatrick and Fitzgerald, which denoted descendants of Norman settlers intermarrying with Gaelic elites.^[3] While not inherently pejorative, its frequent use for acknowledged bastards reflected the era's pragmatic recognition of extramarital noble progeny, who nonetheless inherited titles, lands, and influence, as seen in families like the FitzAlans, earls of Arundel.^[1]^[4]

Etymology and Historical Origins

Linguistic Derivation

The prefix "Fitz" derives from the Anglo-Norman French term fitz, a phonetic variant of Old French fils or fiz, signifying "son."^[1] This Old French form traces directly to the Latin filius, the classical word for "son," which entered Romance languages through Vulgar Latin evolution.^[5] In linguistic terms, the shift from Latin filius to Old French fils involved phonetic simplification, including the loss of the intervocalic /l/ and nasalization influences common in Gallo-Romance dialects by the 9th-10th centuries.^[1] Anglo-Norman, the dialect spoken by Normans following their 1066 conquest of England, adapted fitz as a standardized patronymic marker in legal and administrative contexts, often appearing in Domesday Book entries from 1086 onward to denote filiation, such as "son of [father's name]."^[6] The prefix's orthographic consistency as "Fitz-" emerged in 12th-century Anglo-Norman scribal practices, reflecting Norman scribes' preference for abbreviated forms in charters and rolls, where it contrasted with native English or later Gaelic equivalents like mac ("son of").^[5] Phonetically, it retained the /fits/ pronunciation, distinct from modern French /fis/, due to insular Norman retention of sibilants.^[1] Over time, "Fitz" fossilized as a hereditary element in surnames, particularly among Norman-descended nobility, but its core derivation remained tied to immediate paternal lineage rather than broader clan affiliation, unlike Scandinavian patr- or Slavic suffixes.^[6] Linguistic analyses confirm no significant semantic drift beyond "son of" in medieval texts, though contextual usage sometimes implied illegitimacy when applied to royal offspring, a connotation arising from historical application rather than etymological intent.^[1]

Anglo-Norman Introduction and Early Adoption

The prefix fitz, derived from the Anglo-Norman French term for "son" (from Latin filius), was introduced to England following the Norman Conquest of 1066, serving as a patronymic marker to differentiate individuals sharing the same given name, particularly among the incoming Norman elite.^[7] ^[5] This usage reflected the Normans' adaptation of Frankish naming conventions, where fils de or abbreviated fitz denoted direct paternal lineage, often appearing in legal and feudal documents to clarify inheritance and tenure rights.^[8] Early adoption was concentrated among the Norman barons and their descendants who received land grants from William the Conqueror, embedding the prefix in the emerging Anglo-Norman aristocracy as a tool for administrative precision in a society transitioning from Anglo-Saxon to feudal structures.^[9] One of the earliest prominent examples is William FitzOsbern (c. 1020–1071), son of Osbern de Crépon, who served as a key steward and military commander under William the Conqueror, participating in the Battle of Hastings on October 14, 1066, and subsequently becoming Earl of Hereford in 1067.^[9] FitzOsbern's role in consolidating Norman control, including the fortification of the Welsh marches, exemplified how the prefix facilitated the identification of loyal retainers and their heirs in royal charters and land distributions.^[10] His descendants continued using variations, illustrating the prefix's rapid integration into familial nomenclature among the conquerors' inner circle.^[11] By the late 11th century, fitz appeared frequently in English records, such as the Domesday Book of 1086, where entries like those for Richard fitz Turold documented landholders' paternal ties to assert claims under feudal law.^[12] This early proliferation among nobility—rather than the broader populace—stemmed from the Normans' emphasis on verifiable descent for titles and estates, with the prefix evolving from temporary descriptors in Latin (filius) to fixed elements in Anglo-Norman vernacular usage.^[13] Adoption spread through intermarriage and administrative needs, solidifying fitz as a hallmark of Anglo-Norman identity by the 12th century, distinct from native English or later Gaelic adaptations.^[14]

Usage in England

Patronymic Application Among Nobility

The "Fitz" prefix, derived from the Anglo-Norman French "fils" meaning "son," was systematically applied among the English nobility as a patronymic identifier following the Norman Conquest of 1066, enabling precise tracing of paternal lineage in an era before hereditary surnames solidified. This convention was particularly prevalent among the Anglo-Norman barons and earls who held feudal tenures, appearing frequently in charters, pipe rolls, and Domesday Book entries to denote direct descent and affirm rights to estates. For example, William fitz Osbern (died 1071), son of Osbern the Steward and a close ally of William the Conqueror, utilized the form to distinguish his inheritance of marcher lordships in Herefordshire and Gloucestershire, where he was elevated to Earl of Hereford around 1070.^[15] Noble families perpetuated "Fitz" in evolving surnames to maintain connections to illustrious progenitors, often blending it with the father's given name to form lasting identifiers. The FitzAlan dynasty exemplifies this: originating with Alan fitz Flaad, a Breton steward to King Henry I (reigned 1100–1135), the line adopted "FitzAlan" as they acquired the hereditary Earldom of Arundel by 1243 through marriage and royal grant, with the prefix underscoring their noble Breton-Norman roots without implying illegitimacy. Similarly, Richard fitz Gilbert (died circa 1097), also known as de Clare, employed the patronymic to link to his father Gilbert, securing vast honors in Suffolk and Kent as recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. These applications facilitated feudal loyalty and succession claims, reflecting the practical utility of "Fitz" in aristocratic documentation.^[13] While the prefix occasionally connoted acknowledgment of extramarital birth in royal contexts—such as Henry FitzRoy, illegitimate son of Henry VIII (born 1519)—its primary function among broader nobility remained neutral patronymic designation, not inherently signaling bastardy, as evidenced by legitimate peerages like the FitzWilliams, Earls of Southampton from 1547. This distinction arises from historical records where "Fitz" simply clarified filiation amid repeated Christian names, prioritizing evidentiary descent over moral judgment in land tenure disputes.^[16]

Examples from Medieval English Contexts

The FitzAlan lineage exemplifies the patronymic use of "Fitz" among medieval English nobility, tracing descent from Alan fitz Flaad, a Breton knight who arrived in England around 1100 and served Henry I. His son, William fitz Alan (died c. 1160), held the lordship of Oswestry in Shropshire, establishing the family's marcher influence. By 1244, the earldom of Arundel passed through marriage to Richard FitzAlan (1267–1302), who inherited as the son of John FitzAlan and thus became the 8th earl, consolidating Anglo-Norman holdings in Sussex and the Welsh borders.^[17] Robert FitzRoy (c. 1090–1147), an acknowledged illegitimate son of King Henry I, received the earldom of Gloucester in 1122, highlighting "FitzRoy" ("son of the king") as a marker for royal bastards integrated into noble ranks. As half-brother to Empress Matilda, he commanded significant military forces during the Anarchy (1135–1153), besieging Winchester in 1141 and serving as her chief counselor until his death from drowning.^[18] The FitzWalter barons of Little Dunmow in Essex descended from Robert fitzRichard (d. c. 1134), a cadet of the Clare family, with "Fitz" denoting filial ties in their feudal titles. Robert FitzWalter (c. 1180–1235), lord of Woodham and Baynard's Castle in London, led baronial resistance against King John, acting as one of the 25 sureties enforcing Magna Carta in 1215 and commanding rebels during the First Barons' War.^[19] Other instances include Geoffrey fitz Peter (d. 1213), justiciar of England and created Earl of Essex in 1199, whose name reflected descent from Norman progenitors and administrative prominence under Kings Richard I and John. These examples illustrate "Fitz" as a flexible patronymic prefix in 12th–13th century noble nomenclature, often signaling Norman heritage without inherent implications of illegitimacy except in royal cases like FitzRoy.^[20]

Usage in Ireland

Norman Influence and Integration

The "Fitz" prefix entered Irish nomenclature through the Anglo-Norman invasion initiated in 1169, as Norman knights and their retainers employed it to denote patronymic descent amid their campaigns in Leinster. On 1 May 1169, Maurice FitzGerald, son of Gerald FitzWalter, landed at Bannow Bay in County Wexford with Robert FitzStephen's expedition of approximately 60 knights and archers, securing Wexford town by siege and laying foundations for Norman settlement.^[21]^[22] This force, invited by Dermot Mac Murchadha of Leinster, exemplified the prefix's use among second-generation Normans, with FitzGerald's descendants proliferating as landowners and military leaders. Subsequent arrivals, including Raymond FitzWilliam (le Gros) in 1170 and further Fitz bearers like those under Strongbow (Richard de Clare), reinforced the convention, as Henry II's 1171 intervention formalized their holdings under crown oversight.^[23]^[24] Integration of "Fitz" names into Irish society progressed through land grants, intermarriage, and adaptation to local power structures, transforming initial conquerors into a Hiberno-Norman elite by the 13th century. Families such as the FitzGeralds received extensive territories in Munster and Leinster, with Maurice FitzGerald granted Fermoy and later influencing the baronies of Desmond and Decies; his progeny, including Gerald FitzMaurice, expanded via alliances with Gaelic lords.^[6] This era saw over 80 Anglo-Norman surnames incorporating "Fitz," including FitzMaurice, FitzGibbon, and FitzSimons, which persisted as identifiers of feudal status amid Gaelic kinship systems.^[25] Economic ties, such as tolls on trade and castle-building, embedded these lineages, though tensions arose from their dual loyalties to the English crown and Irish realities. By the 14th century, cultural assimilation accelerated, with Normans adopting Brehon laws, fostering Irish speech (Béarla Na Gall), and forming fosterage bonds, prompting legislative backlash. The Statutes of Kilkenny, enacted 1366, prohibited English subjects from using Irish names, marrying natives, or practicing Gaelic customs to preserve separation, yet failed to reverse the trend, as evidenced by widespread defiance among border families.^[26]^[27] Hiberno-Norman "Fitz" bearers, dubbed "more Irish than the Irish themselves" in contemporary accounts, retained the prefix as a marker of hybrid identity, blending Norman filiation with Gaelic clann dynamics; for instance, the FitzGeralds' earldoms of Kildare (1316) and Desmond (1329) underscored their indigenization, holding sway through native alliances until Tudor reconquest.^[28]^[29] This fusion ensured "Fitz" names' endurance in Irish aristocracy, distinct from purely Gaelic prefixes like Mac or Ó, while reflecting pragmatic adaptation over rigid conquest.^[30]

Gaelic Adaptations and Exceptions

In Ireland, Norman settlers bearing surnames with the "Fitz" prefix often underwent Gaelicization as they integrated into indigenous society, particularly from the 13th century onward when many adopted Brehon laws and intermarried with Gaelic families.^[6] This process replaced "Fitz," derived from Old French fils ("son of"), with the native Gaelic Mac ("son of"), yielding equivalents that reflected the father's given name. For instance, FitzGerald, denoting "son of Gerald," was rendered as Mac Gearailt in Gaelic contexts, a form attested in medieval annals and bardic poetry among septs of the Geraldine dynasty in Munster.^[31] Similarly, FitzMaurice became Mac Muiris ("son of Maurice"), used by branches of the Desmond Geraldines in Kerry, while FitzGibbon adapted to Mac Giobúin ("son of Gibbon"), associated with the White Knight sept in Limerick.^[6] These adaptations facilitated cultural assimilation, allowing Norman lineages to maintain territorial influence under Gaelic patronage systems, as evidenced in the Annals of the Four Masters entries from the 14th–16th centuries describing hybrid lordships.^[32] An notable exception is Fitzpatrick, which originates not from Norman stock but as an anglicization of the pre-Norman Gaelic surname Mac Giolla Phádraig ("son of the devotee/servant of Patrick"), a native Ui Cheinnselaig sept in Leinster dating to at least the 10th century.^[33] Unlike typical Fitz names, this form retained the prefix despite its indigenous roots, likely due to Tudor-era anglicization policies under Henry VIII, who decreed standardized English renderings for administrative records in the 1530s–1540s to assert crown authority over Gaelic Ireland.^[34] This made Fitzpatrick one of the few—possibly the only surviving—Gaelic-derived surnames incorporating "Fitz," distinguishing it from pure Norman imports and highlighting reverse adaptation where native names conformed to Anglo-Norman styling for legal or social elevation.^[6] Other rare exceptions include cases like Fitzsimons, sometimes linked to Mac Síomóin ("son of Simon") in eastern Ulster, though most retained Anglo-Norman forms amid incomplete Gaelicization in border regions.^[3]

Significance and Debates

Role as Patronymic Indicator

The prefix Fitz, derived from the Anglo-Norman French fitz (from Latin filius, meaning "son"), functions primarily as a patronymic indicator in surnames, denoting the bearer's paternal lineage by specifying "son of" a named individual.^[1]^[5] This usage emerged in the 11th century following the Norman Conquest of England, where it was employed in official records and charters to differentiate sons from fathers sharing the same personal name, particularly among the Anglo-Norman elite.^[35] For instance, FitzAlan signifies the son of Alan, as seen in the lineage of the Earls of Arundel, where the prefix preserved genealogical clarity across generations.^[35] In medieval England, Fitz facilitated the hereditary transmission of surnames within noble families, evolving from ad hoc descriptors into fixed family identifiers by the 13th century.^[5] It paralleled other patronymic conventions, such as the Welsh ap or Scottish Mac, but was distinct in its prefix form and association with Norman administrative practices, appearing frequently in Domesday Book entries and Pipe Rolls to denote direct descent.^[35] Examples include FitzWilliam (son of William) in the context of the Earls of Pembroke and FitzGerald (son of Gerald), which underscored paternal origin without implying broader clan affiliation.^[1] This role extended to Ireland post-1169 Anglo-Norman invasion, where Fitz names like Fitzpatrick (son of Patrick) integrated into Gaelic naming systems, serving as a marker of paternal heritage amid cultural synthesis.^[3] The patronymic function of Fitz emphasized immediate filiation rather than remote ancestry, aiding legal and feudal inheritance by linking individuals explicitly to their progenitors in documented lineages.^[5] Historical records from the 12th to 14th centuries, such as those in the Close Rolls, illustrate its utility in resolving ambiguities in noble successions, where multiple generations bore similar forenames.^[35] Over time, while some Fitz surnames fossilized into hereditary forms, the prefix retained its core indicative role, distinguishing it from static surnames by evoking traceable paternal descent.^[1]

Associations with Legitimacy and Illegitimacy

The prefix Fitz, derived from the Norman French fils meaning "son," functioned as a neutral patronymic marker denoting legitimate paternal descent among Anglo-Norman nobility, without implying illegitimacy in its core usage.^[36] This is evident in enduring legitimate lineages, such as the FitzAlan family, who held the earldom of Arundel from the 13th century onward through uninterrupted hereditary succession.^[37] Similarly, the FitzGerald dynasty, originating with Gerald FitzMaurice (d. 1175), established legitimate lordships in Ireland as earls of Desmond and Kildare, with no historical taint of bastardy attached to the prefix itself.^[14] Notwithstanding its primary role in legitimizing noble filiation, Fitz acquired an association with acknowledged illegitimacy in specific royal contexts, particularly when compounded as FitzRoy ("son of the king," from roi). This convention emerged in the 12th century for extramarital royal sons granted titles or lands, signaling informal recognition without full succession rights.^[38] For instance, Richard FitzRoy (c. 1190–1246), an illegitimate son of King John born to Ela de Warenne, received the barony of Chilham in Kent around 1214, exemplifying how the prefix denoted paternity amid irregular birth.^[38] Likewise, Henry FitzRoy (1519–1536), the sole acknowledged bastard of Henry VIII with Elizabeth Blount, was ennobled as Duke of Richmond and Somerset on June 18, 1525, at age six, though he remained barred from the throne due to his status.^[39]^[40] Historians note that while FitzRoy reliably flagged royal illegitimacy—used sporadically from Henry I (r. 1100–1135) onward—the broader Fitz prefix did not serve as a systematic indicator of bastardy, countering modern misconceptions that conflate it with inherent dishonor.^[36] Such errors likely stem from high-profile illegitimate cases overshadowing routine legitimate applications, yet primary medieval records, including charters and peerage grants, confirm Fitz's predominant legitimacy in non-royal noble contexts.^[41] This dual usage underscores Fitz's flexibility: a tool for affirming kinship ties, whether within or outside wedlock, contingent on the father's status and acknowledgment rather than the prefix alone.

Notable Bearers and Families

Prominent Historical Individuals

Henry FitzRoy (1519–1536) was the acknowledged illegitimate son of King Henry VIII of England and his mistress Elizabeth Blount, born on 15 June 1519 at Blackmore Priory in Essex.^[42] In a rare honor for a royal bastard, Henry VIII created him Duke of Richmond and Somerset on 18 June 1525, along with other titles including Earl of Nottingham and Warden of the Marches toward Scotland, positioning him as a potential heir during the king's early struggles for a male successor.^[43] FitzRoy married Mary Howard, daughter of the Duke of Norfolk, in 1533, but died childless on 23 July 1536 at St James's Palace, likely from tuberculosis or a respiratory infection, at age 17.^[42] His elevation highlighted the "Fitz" prefix's association with royal acknowledgment of illegitimate offspring, though it did not lead to succession claims.^[43] Thomas FitzGerald (1513–1537), known as Silken Thomas, was the 10th Earl of Kildare and a leading figure in the FitzGerald dynasty's resistance to English rule in Ireland.^[44] On 11 June 1534, he renounced his fealty to Henry VIII at St Mary's Abbey in Dublin, sparking the Kildare Rebellion amid grievances over his father's imprisonment and perceived encroachments on Geraldine autonomy.^[44] The uprising captured Dublin briefly but collapsed by 1535 due to lack of sustained support and English reinforcements; FitzGerald surrendered under promise of pardon but was attainted and executed by hanging, drawing, and quartering on 3 February 1537 at Tyburn.^[44] His revolt marked a pivotal challenge to Tudor consolidation in Ireland, accelerating the decline of the FitzGeralds' semi-independent lordship.^[44] Walter FitzAlan (c. 1106–1177) served as the first hereditary High Steward of Scotland, appointed around 1150 by King David I, establishing the office that evolved into the Stewart royal line.^[45] Of Breton origin via his father Alan Fitz Flaad, he held lands in Renfrewshire and supported Scottish monarchs in campaigns against England, including at the Battle of the Standard in 1138.^[45] FitzAlan's founding of Paisley Abbey in 1163 underscored his role in ecclesiastical patronage, and his descendants, retaining the "FitzAlan" patronymic initially, transitioned to Stewart, influencing Scottish governance for centuries.^[45] These figures exemplify the "Fitz" prefix's prevalence among Anglo-Norman elites, often denoting lineage from a named progenitor while navigating legitimacy debates in feudal politics.^[44]^[43]

Influential Dynasties and Clans

The FitzGerald dynasty, founded by Maurice FitzGerald, a Cambro-Norman lord who arrived in Ireland as a companion-in-arms to Richard de Clare (Strongbow) during the Anglo-Norman invasion of 1169, became one of the most powerful Hiberno-Norman families.^[21] ^[46] This lineage split into prominent branches, including the Earls of Kildare, granted in 1316, and the Earls of Desmond, who controlled extensive Munster territories from the 14th century onward.^[47] The Kildare earls often held the office of Lord Deputy of Ireland, exerting substantial administrative and military influence, while the Desmond branch maintained semi-autonomous lordship until their attainder following the Desmond Rebellions in the 1580s.^[48] The dynasty's integration with Gaelic customs earned them the epithet "more Irish than the Irish themselves," though their loyalty fluctuated, culminating in events like the 1534 Silken Thomas Rebellion led by Thomas FitzGerald, 10th Earl of Kildare.^[49] In England, the FitzAlan family emerged as feudal barons of Oswestry by around 1080 and inherited Arundel Castle and its associated earldom in 1243 through John FitzAlan.^[50] ^[17] They retained the Earldom of Arundel for over three centuries until 1580, with twelve FitzAlan earls overseeing significant estates and participating in pivotal events, such as Richard FitzAlan's military service under Edward III during the Hundred Years' War.^[51] The family's Breton origins trace to Alan Fitz Flaad, a steward whose descendants linked to broader noble networks, including eventual ties to the House of Stuart through intermarriages.^[52] Other notable Fitz-bearing clans include the FitzPatricks (Mac Giolla Phádraig), who held the Barony of Upper Ossory in Ireland from the 16th century, blending Norman patronage with Gaelic heritage to maintain influence in Leinster until Tudor centralization diminished their autonomy.^[33] These dynasties exemplified the "fitz" prefix's role in denoting noble patrilineage, often amid contested legitimacy, shaping feudal power structures in both realms through landholding, alliances, and occasional rebellions against crown authority.^[47]

Cultural Representations and Modern Developments

Depictions in Literature and Arts

In literature, the "Fitz" prefix often evokes Norman patrilineal descent and, in some cases, illegitimacy, reflecting its historical usage among Anglo-Norman elites. In Robin Hobb's Realm of the Elderlings series, beginning with Assassin's Apprentice (1995), the protagonist FitzChivalry Farseer is named "Fitz" to denote his bastard status as the son of Prince Chivalry, drawing directly on the prefix's connotation of an acknowledged but illegitimate offspring in medieval naming conventions.^[53] Similarly, historical fiction frequently features Fitz bearers from Irish Norman lineages; for instance, Seán J. FitzGerald's Hiberno-Norman Chronicles, such as The Price of a Throne (2020), portray figures like the FitzGeralds during the 12th-century invasion, emphasizing their role in feudal integration and conflict with Gaelic lords.^[54] In visual arts, depictions of Fitz-named nobles underscore their heraldic legacy and involvement in the Norman conquest of Ireland. Daniel Maclise's oil painting The Marriage of Strongbow and Aoife (completed 1854, National Gallery of Ireland) illustrates the union of Richard fitz Gilbert de Clare—known as Strongbow, a pivotal invader who landed in Ireland in 1169—with Irish princess Aoife Mac Murrough, symbolizing Anglo-Norman alliances; the work, a Romantic-era fresco-style mural, captures the era's martial and dynastic themes.^[55] Heraldic art further represents Fitz families through coats of arms, as detailed in Arthur Charles Fox-Davies' A Complete Guide to Heraldry (1909), which describes the quarterly arms of John FitzAlan, Earl of Arundel (d. 1435)—gules a lion rampant or quartered with sable fretty or—exemplifying the visual codification of lineage in medieval and early modern manuscripts and engravings.^[56]

Revival and Contemporary Usage

In the 21st century, surnames incorporating the "Fitz" prefix, such as Fitzgerald and Fitzpatrick, remain common, particularly among populations of Irish descent in Ireland, the United States, and other diaspora communities, with Fitzpatrick ranking as the 278th most frequent surname in the U.S. as of the 2010 census. These names persist without significant alteration, reflecting hereditary transmission rather than new formations. As a standalone given name for boys, Fitz has seen modest uptake in English-speaking countries, aligning with trends favoring concise, surname-inspired, or vintage monikers perceived as stylish or unconventional. Derived from its historical meaning of "son of," it functions independently or as a diminutive for compounds like Fitzroy or Fitzwilliam. In the United States, the name first appeared in records in 1914 and reached its highest national ranking of 1,276th in 2020, with approximately 887 living male bearers estimated as of recent data.^[37]^[57] This uptick, though from a low base, coincides with broader preferences for one-syllable names evoking heritage or brevity, as noted in analyses of hipster and retro naming patterns.^[58] Usage remains niche, absent from top-100 lists in major baby name databases, and is often chosen for its crisp sound and subtle nod to Norman etymology without overt historical baggage. Notable modern examples include musicians like Michael Fitzpatrick of the band Fitz and the Tantrums, highlighting its occasional adoption in creative fields.^[58] No widespread revival of the prefix for new patronymic constructions has occurred, as fixed surnames dominate contemporary naming conventions over fluid medieval-style indicators.

References

[1]
Fitz - Etymology, Origin & Meaning
Originating from Anglo-French fitz, from Latin filius meaning "son of," fitz denotes lineage, often used in official rolls and royal illegitimate offspring.
[2]
Fitz Name Meaning and Fitz Family History at FamilySearch
English: from Anglo-Norman French fi(t)z 'son' (from Latin filius), used originally to distinguish a son from a father bearing the same personal name.
[3]
Why Irish last names like Fitzpatrick start with 'Fitz'
Nov 3, 2023 · The prefix derives from the Old French filz/fiz, meaning 'son of', and is also found in England. It was brought to Ireland during the Anglo- ...
[4]
Fitzalan Name Meaning and Fitzalan Family History at FamilySearch
Norman, English: relationship name from Anglo-Norman French fiz 'son' ( see Fitz ) + the personal name Alan ( see Allen ), 'son of Alan'.
[5]
Last name FITZ: origin and meaning - Geneanet
1. English: from Anglo-Norman French fi(t)z 'son' (from Latin filius) used originally to distinguish a son from a father bearing the same personal name.
[6]
Fitzgerald and Other Fitzs | IrishCentral.com
Nov 1, 1991 · The Fitz prefix is derived from the French "fils" meaning "son of" and is equivalent to the Gaelic prefix "Mac". Among the names with this ...
[7]
1066 and all those baby names - BBC News
Aug 4, 2010 · As well as family names derived from one's occupation, surnames with the prefix Fitz date from Norman times. "Fitz comes from the French 'fils', ...
[8]
Fitz Surname Meaning & Fitz Family History at Ancestry.com®
English: from Anglo-Norman French fi(t)z 'son' (from Latin filius) used originally to distinguish a son from a father bearing the same personal name and then ...<|control11|><|separator|>
[9]
William FitzOsbern, 1st earl of Hereford - Britannica
Oct 8, 2025 · Date: October 14, 1066 ; Location: Battle · Hastings · United Kingdom · England ; Participants: Normandy · England ; Context: Norman Conquest ; Key ...
[10]
FITZOSBERN, WILLIAM (died 1071), earl of Hereford, lord of ...
He was the first to urge William to invade England, and became the ' prime agent ' in its conquest; he was mainly responsible for establishing Norman rule on ...
[11]
William FitzOsbern - 1st Earl of Hereford - Great Castles
... FitzOsbern and his followers pushed westwards into Wales, marking the beginning of the Norman conquest of the Welsh Kingdom of Gwent. In 1070, Baldwin VI of ...
[12]
Fitz Name Meaning and Fitz Family History at FamilySearch
English: from Anglo-Norman French fi(t)z 'son' (from Latin filius), used originally to distinguish a son from a father bearing the same personal ...Missing: earliest | Show results with:earliest
[13]
Feminine Equivalent of Fitz
In medieval English record writing the name would appear (in Latin) as, e.g., "Tom filius Piper" and in Anglo-Norman as "Tom le fi<t>z Piper." In either
[14]
What is the origin of the Fitz prefix of many surnames? - Quora
Jan 20, 2019 · “Fitz” was introduced into English by the Norman French in the 11th century. It's a variation of the French “fils” meaning “son”.In English, when and how did the surname prefix 'fitz' come to mean ...How did the surname 'Fitz' come about in English and Irish history?More results from www.quora.com
[15]
The Alleged Palatinates of Norman England - jstor
19 "The Palatine Earldom of William fitz Osbern in Gloucestershire and Worcestershire ... We are, then, drawn elsewhere than to Anglo-Norman England in our quest ...<|separator|>
[16]
Book Corner: The Legitimacy of Bastards by Helen Matthews
Oct 18, 2019 · It should be noted that a surname beginning with 'Fitz-' simply means 'son of' and does not itself denote illegitimacy, although it became ...
[17]
FITZ ALAN, lords of Oswestry and Clun, and later earls of Arundel
The Fitz Alan family was settled at Oswestry in the early years of the 12th century, but their position was challenged by Maredudd the son of Bleddyn.
[18]
Robert, Earl of Gloucester | British Museum
Robert Fitzroy (born before 1100, died 31 October 1147) was an illegitimate son (possibly the oldest illegitimate child) of Henry I (q.v.), king of England ( ...Missing: 1st historical source
[19]
Walter-fifth-lord-fitzwalter-of-little-dunmow-essex - Medieval Soldier
Fitzwalter's son later campaigned in Prussia in 1391 and was one of the English lords who became involved in a violent dispute with the Scottish knight Sir ...
[20]
[PDF] MEDIEVAL WIVES AS HOSTAGES - Columbus State University
In 1210, the justiciar of England Geoffrey fitz Peter, offered a substantial fine to King John of England to avoid having custody of two daughters of the king ...
[21]
Maurice Fitzgerald and the creation of a dynasty
Oct 19, 2007 · The first bearer of the name, Maurice FitzGerald, came to Ireland in 1169. Maurice's pioneering exploits earned him the reward of a grant of ...
[22]
Normans Invade Ireland | Research Starters - EBSCO
Normans Invade Ireland. Date 1169-1172. Locale Ireland. Norman troops ... Maurice Fitzgerald landed in County Wexford. Other landings soon followed ...
[23]
fitz Gerald, Maurice | Dictionary of Irish Biography
Fitz Stephen landed in Ireland in May 1169 and fitz Gerald followed shortly after with reinforcements. The brothers were jointly granted the city of Wexford by ...Missing: date | Show results with:date
[24]
[PDF] Anglo-Norman Borrowings in Irish - Ulster University
Oct 7, 2010 · It is common knowledge that the patronymic prefix "Fitz-" (which is an actual Irish pat- tern of the name formation) was derived from the ...
[25]
Atlas of Family Names in Ireland (unknown section) - UCC Research
... Fitz' form as demonstrated in the Atlas Abstract for Fitzgerald. In addition Mac Lysaght has identified over 80 Anglo-Norman surnames which were formed from ...
[26]
Statute of Kilkenny - History Today
Feb 2, 2022 · The statute tacitly accepts that, nearly 200 years after their invasion, the Anglo-Norman writ did not extend much beyond a handful of counties ...Missing: integration | Show results with:integration
[27]
Statute of Kilkenny | Research Starters - EBSCO
The statute outlawed virtually all significant interaction between English and Irish persons, forbade the practice of Irish customs by the English, defined the ...Missing: integration | Show results with:integration
[28]
An expert's guide to researching Irish surnames | Blog | Findmypast.ie
Jun 9, 2022 · The Norman invasion introduced names which in time became 'more Irish than the Irish ... Fitz' names. "English and European settlers in Ireland ...
[29]
KINDRED LINES: How Anglo-Norman names were Hibernicised
The family names of the military leaders who led the invasion of Ireland in 1169–76—the various 'Fitzs', Butler, de Barry, de Bermingham, de Burgh, de Clare, de ...
[30]
The Lore of Irish Surnames: Exploring Their Historical Roots and ...
Aug 14, 2022 · The 'Fitz' prefix is of Norman origin and was introduced to Ireland during the Norman invasion in the 12th century. The element 'Fitz', derived ...
[31]
Fitzgerald Family History - Ancestry
Fitzgerald Family History ... Norman name in Ireland where it has been Gaelicized as Mac Gearailt. Irish bearers of the name claim descent from Gerald Fitzwalter ...
[32]
Irish Gaelic Surnames
Jul 14, 2012 · They adopted Gaelic forms of their surnames as well. Some who had names with the “fitz” prefix went with the mac form (“fitz” derives from “fils ...
[33]
History – The Fitzpatrick – Mac Giolla Phádraig Clan Society
Fitzpatrick is the English form of the Irish surname Mac Giolla Phádraig. It is the only extant Irish surname with the Fitz- prefix that is not of Norman origin ...
[34]
https://www.theirishrose.com/name-histories-coat-of-arms/fitzpatrick-name-history/
[35]
England Patronymic Surnames - International Institute - FamilySearch
English Patronymics. The prefix Fitz as in Fitzwalter (from French fils and Latin filius) is a patronymic meaning 'son of.' The connotation of illegitimacy ...Missing: nobility | Show results with:nobility
[36]
How Bastard Names in Game of Thrones Relate to St. Patrick's Day
Mar 17, 2019 · The prefix “Fitz” is a Norman name meaning “son.” The name might refer to a bastard but might also be taken by a legitimate heir in a family with some standing ...
[37]
Fitz - Baby Name, Origin, Meaning, And Popularity - Parenting Patch
Over time, Fitz evolved into a surname, often combined with a given name, such as Fitzwilliam or Fitzroy, indicating "son of William" or "son of the king," ...
[38]
Richard FitzRoy, Illegitimate Son of King John of England
Apr 5, 2024 · Richard FitzRoy, born circa 1185/1186, was the illegitimate son of King John of England and Ela de Warenne. His surname FitzRoy comes from the ...
[39]
Henry Fitzroy: Bastard or Heir? - The York Historian
Oct 13, 2016 · Henry was named after his father and given the name 'Fitzroy' (meaning 'son of a king'), and Henry's chief advisor, Cardinal Wolsey, acted as ...
[40]
Henry VIII and his bastard children - Mathew Lyons
Jan 30, 2012 · The only bastard child acknowledged by Henry was the son named Henry Fitzroy ... Was he one of King Henry's illegitimate sons? Reply. Miss ...
[41]
In English, when and how did the surname prefix 'fitz' come to mean ...
Jan 13, 2014 · Fitz is derived from the French word “fils”, meaning son. Fitz came to mean “son of” especially for those born out of wedlock ie: Fitzroy = Son ...What is the origin of the Fitz prefix of many surnames? - QuoraWhat does Fitz mean in names like Fitzgerald, Fitzhume ... - QuoraMore results from www.quora.com
[42]
Henry Fitzroy: how Henry VIII's “bastard son” rocked the Tudor court
Sep 1, 2020 · Henry Fitzroy was born in 1519 – almost certainly in June – at the Augustinian Priory of St Laurence at Blackmore in Essex. His mother was ...
[43]
Henry Fitzroy, Duke of Richmond | English noble - Britannica
Henry Fitzroy, Duke of Richmond, who was the son of Henry VIII and his mistress Elizabeth Blount. In 1532, after talk of marriage with the princess Mary.
[44]
Thomas Fitzgerald, 10th earl of Kildare | Irish Aristocrat ... - Britannica
Thomas Fitzgerald, 10th earl of Kildare was the leader of a major Irish rebellion against King Henry VIII of England. The failure of the uprising ended the ...
[45]
Walter - History of the Stewarts | Famous Stewarts
Walter FitzAlan (1106 – June 1177) was the 1st Hereditary High Steward of Scotland (ca. 1150-1177), and described as "a Norman by culture and by blood a ...
[46]
FitzGerald Family History - Glin Castle
The FitzGeralds descend from the Norman Maurice FitzGerald, a companion-in¬ arms to Strongbow. They were mercenaries who left Wales and came to Ireland.
[47]
History of Fitzgerald family to be traced in major conference
Sep 12, 2013 · The Fitzgerald, or Geraldine, family gave Ireland two of its most famous noble houses, the earls of Desmond and Kildare, as well as a host of later historical ...
[48]
Contribution of Fitzgerald Dynasty Examined at Conference
Sep 18, 2013 · The Geraldines are also key players in the Irish diaspora, putting the 'F' in John F Kennedy and giving the world of music and literature Ella ...Missing: influence | Show results with:influence
[49]
The Silken Thomas Rebellion: How One Young Lord Defied Henry ...
Mar 16, 2025 · The execution of Silken Thomas and his family not only dismantled the powerful Fitzgerald dynasty but also paved the way for England's ...
[50]
Category: Fitzalan Family - Meandering Through Time
Jun 25, 2020 · The Fitzalans were feudal barons of Oswestry in Shropshire in 1080, John FitzAlan inherited Arundel Castle in 1243 and the FitzAlan family held ...
[51]
Arundel Castle, the Dukes and the Earls: A Potted History
Jul 21, 2020 · There were 12 Fitzalan Earls between 1272 and 1572, who all made various changes to the castle architecture. The 12th Earl's only son died aged ...
[52]
Unravelling the FitzAlan Arundel's - Daniel Dering Mathew
Jul 15, 2020 · Alan Fitz Flaad is considered “the progenitor of the FitzAlan family, the Earls of Arundel (1267–1580), and the House of Stuart“
[53]
The Definition and History of “Fitz” : r/robinhobb - Reddit
May 11, 2018 · It seemed like one to me. Turns out, “Fitz” means “son of” in Norse tradition. I think it's meaningful that at the beginning, no one called our ...British Readers: What does the name Fitz mean to you? : r/robinhobbOrigins of Fitz names : r/etymology - RedditMore results from www.reddit.com
[54]
Seán J. FitzGerald: Home
Website for historical writer Seán J. FitzGerald, author of The Price of a Throne, and the Hiberbo-Norman Chronicles. Discover Ireland's medieval history!
[55]
The Marriage of Strongbow and Aoife - the characters
Strongbow (also known as Richard fitz Gilbert and Richard de Clare) was earl of Pembroke and Strigoil, and lord of Leinster. He was the eldest son of ...
[56]
A Complete Guide to Heraldry
—Arms of John Fitz Alan, Earl of Arundel (d. 1435): Quarterly, 1 and 4, gules, a lion rampant or (for Fitz Alan); 2 and 3, sable, fretty or (for Maltravers).Missing: literature | Show results with:literature
[57]
First Names FITZ National Statistics - MyNameStats.com
FITZ is ranked as the 9573rd most popular given name in the United States with an estimated population of 887. This name is in the 96th percentile, this means ...
[58]
One Syllable Boy Names: Rugged, Retro, and Strong
Feb 20, 2025 · FITZ. Almost always a nickname for a longer name beginning with Fitz. One notable example: Michael Fitzpatrick, frontman of indie pop band Fitz ...