Fitzgerald - Irish Surname Origin & Meaning
Irish form: Mac Gearailt
Meaning: Norman - “son of Gerald”
Traditional stronghold: Kerry, Limerick
Pronunciation: fits-JER-ald; Irish Mac Gearailt
History of the Fitzgerald name
The Fitzgeralds descend from Maurice FitzGerald, an Anglo-Norman baron of Welsh-Norman origin who took part in the 1169 invasion, and his descendants became the most powerful Hiberno-Norman dynasty in Ireland, splitting into the Earls of Kildare and the Earls of Desmond. Both branches were so thoroughly assimilated into Gaelic culture, language and alliances that they were said to have become 'more Irish than the Irish themselves', and the Kildare Fitzgeralds effectively ruled much of Leinster as Lord Deputies for generations until the rebellion and execution of Silken Thomas in the 1530s broke their power.
Variants: FitzGerald · Gerald · Garrett
Famous bearers of the name
- Garret FitzGerald - Twice Taoiseach and leader of Fine Gael
- F. Scott Fitzgerald - American novelist of Irish descent, author of The Great Gatsby
- Desmond FitzGerald - Irish Free State minister and poet, father of Garret FitzGerald
Related names from the same part of Ireland: O'Brien · Ryan · O'Sullivan · O'Connor · McCarthy · O'Connell · Collins · Hayes