Fitz
Encyclopedia
Fitz forms a prefix to patronymic
surnames of Anglo-Norman
origin. This usage derives from the Norman
fiz / filz, prononciation: /fits/ (cognate
with French
fils < Latin
filius), meaning "son of", which was coupled with the name of the father (e.g. Fitz Gilbert, meaning "son of Gilbert") in the noble families according to the Scandinavian tradition to add -son behind the father's name. Although there are exceptions in which the name of a more noteworthy mother (Fitz Wymarch), or parent's title (Fitz Count, Fitz Empress) was instead used. It later was applied to the illegitimate sons of princes.
; and FitzClarence
, son of the Duke of Clarence
). From this later use, it has been inferred that the name indicates illegitimacy, which was not originally the case.
The Irish surname FitzGerald is thought to derive from Gerald de Windsor
, a Cambro-Norman
nobleman whose son and grandson were involved in the Norman invasion of Ireland
.
The Irish name Fitzpatrick does not indicate a Norman origin of the family; it is the translation into English of the Gaelic surname Mac Giolla Phádraig. Other surnames beginning "Mac Giolla" were made into "Magilla-" (e.g. Magillacuddy), but the Fitzpatricks claimed Norman heritage in a time when the Normans dominated much of Ireland.
Fitz is also a stand-alone German surname originating in the Palatinate region of Germany.
Variant spelling
Patronymic
A patronym, or patronymic, is a component of a personal name based on the name of one's father, grandfather or an even earlier male ancestor. A component of a name based on the name of one's mother or a female ancestor is a matronymic. Each is a means of conveying lineage.In many areas patronyms...
surnames of Anglo-Norman
Anglo-Norman
The Anglo-Normans were mainly the descendants of the Normans who ruled England following the Norman conquest by William the Conqueror in 1066. A small number of Normans were already settled in England prior to the conquest...
origin. This usage derives from the Norman
Norman language
Norman is a Romance language and one of the Oïl languages. Norman can be classified as one of the northern Oïl languages along with Picard and Walloon...
fiz / filz, prononciation: /fits/ (cognate
Cognate
In linguistics, cognates are words that have a common etymological origin. This learned term derives from the Latin cognatus . Cognates within the same language are called doublets. Strictly speaking, loanwords from another language are usually not meant by the term, e.g...
with French
French language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
fils < Latin
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
filius), meaning "son of", which was coupled with the name of the father (e.g. Fitz Gilbert, meaning "son of Gilbert") in the noble families according to the Scandinavian tradition to add -son behind the father's name. Although there are exceptions in which the name of a more noteworthy mother (Fitz Wymarch), or parent's title (Fitz Count, Fitz Empress) was instead used. It later was applied to the illegitimate sons of princes.
Adoption by other nationalities
In later times, similar forms were coined for members of the English and British royal family, who historically lacked a surname, and particularly for illegitimate children of kings and princes (Fitzroy, son of the king; Fitzjames, son of the king James II of EnglandJames II of England
James II & VII was King of England and King of Ireland as James II and King of Scotland as James VII, from 6 February 1685. He was the last Catholic monarch to reign over the Kingdoms of England, Scotland, and Ireland...
; and FitzClarence
FitzClarence
Fitzclarence or FitzClarence is an Anglo-Norman name originally meaning "son of Clarence" - it usually refers to a bastard son of a Duke of Clarence, or a descendant thereof, and was used by them as a surname...
, son of the Duke of Clarence
William IV of the United Kingdom
William IV was King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and of Hanover from 26 June 1830 until his death...
). From this later use, it has been inferred that the name indicates illegitimacy, which was not originally the case.
The Irish surname FitzGerald is thought to derive from Gerald de Windsor
Gerald de Windsor
Gerald de Windsor, also known as Gerald FitzWalter, was the nobleman in charge of the Norman forces in Wales in the late 11th century. Notably, he was the progenitor of the FitzGerald and de Barry dynasties of Ireland...
, a Cambro-Norman
Cambro-Norman
Cambro-Norman is a term used for Norman knights who settled in southern Wales after the Norman conquest of England in 1066. Some historians suggest that the term is to be preferred to Anglo-Norman for the Normans who invaded Ireland after 1170 — many of whom originated in Wales. However, the term...
nobleman whose son and grandson were involved in the Norman invasion of Ireland
Norman Invasion of Ireland
The Norman invasion of Ireland was a two-stage process, which began on 1 May 1169 when a force of loosely associated Norman knights landed near Bannow, County Wexford...
.
The Irish name Fitzpatrick does not indicate a Norman origin of the family; it is the translation into English of the Gaelic surname Mac Giolla Phádraig. Other surnames beginning "Mac Giolla" were made into "Magilla-" (e.g. Magillacuddy), but the Fitzpatricks claimed Norman heritage in a time when the Normans dominated much of Ireland.
Fitz is also a stand-alone German surname originating in the Palatinate region of Germany.
Surnames with the prefix
- Fitzakerly
- FitzAlanFitzAlan (name)FitzAlan is an English surname ultimately of Norman-Breton origin. The family originated in Brittany, in France, and shares common ancestry with the Scottish Stewarts as descendants of the eponymous Alan fitz Flaad grandson of the Seneschal of the Bishop of Dol. The FitzAlans held the earldom of...
or Fitzalan - FitzArnold
- FitzClarenceFitzClarenceFitzclarence or FitzClarence is an Anglo-Norman name originally meaning "son of Clarence" - it usually refers to a bastard son of a Duke of Clarence, or a descendant thereof, and was used by them as a surname...
or Fitzclarence - FitzduncanFitzduncanFitzduncan is a Scottish Hiberno-Norman surname. It is patronymic as the prefix Fitz- derives from the Latin filius, meaning "son of". Its variants include the alternate forms FitzDuncan, fitz Duncan, and Fitz Duncan, and the given name turned surname Duncan. Fitzduncan is rare as a given name. ...
- Fitzer
- FitzEustace
- FitzGeorge or Fitzgeorge
- FitzGeraldFitzGeraldThe surname FitzGerald is a translation of the French-Norman fils de Gérald, or son of Gerald . Variant spellings include Fitz-Gerald and the modern Fitzgerald. The name can also be used as two separate words Fitz Gerald...
or Fitzgerald - Fitzgibbon
- FitzgilbertFitzgilbertFitzgilbert is a Norman French surname. It is patronymic, since the prefix Fitz- derives from the Latin filius, meaning "son of." Its variants include the alternate forms FitzGilbert, Fitz Gilbert, Fitz-Gilbert, fitz Gilbert, and the given name turned surname Gilbert or Gilberts. Fitzgilbert is...
- Fitzharris
- Fitzharold
- Fitzhenry
- FitzHerbertFitzherbertFitzherbert is a constituent ward of Palmerston North, Manawatu-Wanganui, New Zealand.The ward is made up of the suburbs of Turitea, Massey University, Linton and Aokautere.Fitzherbert is the largest ward in area in the city of Palmerston North.-Features:...
or Fitzherbert - FitzHughFitzhughFitzhugh is an English Anglo-Norman surname originating in Northamptonshire and Bedfordshire.. It is patronymic as the prefix Fitz- derives from the Latin filius, meaning "son of". Its variants include FitzHugh, Fitz-Hugh, Fitz Hugh, fitz Hugh, and its associated given name turned surname Hugh....
or Fitzhugh - FitzJames or Fitzjames
- FitzjohnFitzjohnFitzJohn was a bus manufacturer in Muskegon, Michigan. The company was founded October 8, 1919, by Harry Alphonse FitzJohn, and built over 5,000 bus bodies, complete buses, stretchout sedans and passenger-carrying trailers before closing down in May 1958....
- Fitzka
- FitzLee
- FitzmauriceFitzmauriceFitzmaurice is an Anglo-Norman/Hiberno-Norman surname originating in County Kerry, Ireland. It is patronymic as the prefix Fitz- derives from the Latin filius, meaning "son of". The surname variants include FitzMaurice, Fitz Maurice, Fitz-Maurice, fitz Maurice, and the alternate spelling Fitzmorris...
- FitzmorrisFitzmorrisFitzmorris is an Irish Hiberno-Norman surname originating in Counties Kerry, Galway, and Mayo. It is patronymic as the prefix Fitz- derives from the Latin filius, meaning "son of"....
- Fitzpatrick
- Fitzpercival
- FitzRalph
- FitzRandolph
- FitzrichardFitzrichardFitzrichard is a Hiberno-Norman surname. It is patronymic as the prefix Fitz- derives from the Latin filius, meaning "son of". Its variants include the alternate forms FitzRichard, fitz Richard and Fitz Richard, and the given name turned surname Richard or Richards. Fitzrichard is rare as a given...
- FitzRoy or Fitzroy
- Fitzsimmons or FitzSimmons
- Fitzsimon
- Fitzsimons or FitzSimons
- FitzstephenFitzstephenFitzstephen is an English language Hiberno-Norman surname. It is patronymic as the prefix Fitz- derives from the Latin filius, meaning "son of". Its variants include FitzStephen, Fitz Stephen, Fitz Stephen, Fitz-Stephen; alternate spelling Fitzstephens ; and the given name turned surname Stephen...
- FitzurseReginald FitzurseSir Reginald FitzUrse was one of the four knights who murdered Thomas Becket in 1170.His name is derived from Fitz which is a contracted form of the Norman-French fils de, meaning "son of" and Urse from the Latin ursus, meaning a bear, probable nom de guerre of his ancestor...
- Fitzstevens
- Fitzwalter
- Fitzwater
- Fitzwilliam or FitzWilliam
Prefix
- For specific person with surname or given name prefix Fitz, see the family nameFamily nameA family name is a type of surname and part of a person's name indicating the family to which the person belongs. The use of family names is widespread in cultures around the world...
.
Surname
- Fitz, a shortform for FitzpatrickFitzpatrick (disambiguation)The name Fitzpatrick is an anglicisation of the ancient Irish surname Mac Giolla Phádraig, and may refer to several different people or places or things:-People:*Fitzpatrick , a surname of Irish origin...
- Armando FitzArmando FitzArmando Fitz is an owner of Fitz Racing, a NASCAR Nationwide Series team.A native of Nashville, TN., Fitz graduated from Vanderbilt University in 1987 with a degree in Business and Human Development. While attending Vanderbilt, he played linebacker for the Commodore football squad for four years...
(b. ?), American, NASCAR Busch Series team - Brent FitzBrent FitzBrent Fitz is a Canadian-born musician and recording artist known best known as a drummer, but also a multi-instrumentalist having worked with Slash, Theory of a Deadman, Alice Cooper, Vince Neil, Union, The Guess Who, Lamya, Streetheart, Harlequin, Econoline Crush, Eagle & Hawk and Indigenous.-...
(b. 1970), Canadian rock drummer - Florian David Fitz (b. 1974), German film and TV actor
- Joseph FitzJoseph FitzJoseph Fitz was a United States Navy Ordinary Seaman who received the Medal of Honor for actions on March 8, 1906 during the Philippine-American War. He later obtained the rank of seaman....
(1886 - 1945), American Medal of Honor recipient - Reginald Heber FitzReginald Heber FitzReginald Heber Fitz was an American physician.He graduated in 1864 from Harvard University, where, after studying in Vienna, Berlin, and Paris, he was instructor in pathological anatomy in 1870–1873, assistant professor in 1873–1878, and professor from 1878 to 1908...
(1843 - 1913), American physician - Veronika FitzVeronika FitzVeronika Fitz is a German television actress.She also had some solo-shows on the stage and produced a few singles.-External links:*...
(b. 1936), German television actress
Variant spelling
- Eva-Maria FitzeEva-Maria FitzeEva-Maria Fitze is a German figure skater who has competed in both ladies' singles and pairs. Originally a singles skater, she became the youngest woman ever to win a gold at the German Figure Skating Championships when she accomplished the feat at age 14 in 1997...
(b. 1982), German figure skater
Given name
- Fitz BabbittFitz BabbittFitz Babbitt was an officer in the United States Navy during the War of 1812.Babbitt was appointed a Midshipman in 1804 and served on board Nautilus, Adams, and President. Lieutenant Babbitt was killed in action on board President during the engagement with HMS Endymim and Pomana on 15 January...
(1785 - 1815), American military officer; the destroyer USS Babbitt (DD-128) was named for him - Fitz HindsFitz HindsDelmont Cameron St Clair Hinds was a coloured West Indian cricketer who toured with the first West Indian touring side to England in 1900...
(1880 - ?), West Indian cricketer - Fitz LeeFitz Lee (Medal of Honor recipient)Fitz Lee was a Buffalo Soldier in the United States Army and a recipient of America's highest military decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his actions in the Spanish–American War.-Biography:...
(d. 1899), American, Medal of Honor recipient - Fitzhugh LeeFitzhugh LeeFitzhugh Lee , nephew of Robert E. Lee, was a Confederate cavalry general in the American Civil War, the 40th Governor of Virginia, diplomat, and United States Army general in the Spanish-American War.-Early life:...
(1835-1905), called Fitz by contemporaries, U.S. Civil War cavalry commander and Governor of Virginia - Fitz Remedios Santana de SouzaFitz Remedios Santana de SouzaFitz Remedios Santana de Souza , often known as Dr. F. R. S. de Souza, is a Kenyan lawyer and ex-politician of Indian origin, who was an important figure in the campaign for independence for Kenya, a member of the Kenyan parliament in the 1960s and Deputy Speaker for several years...
(b. 1929), Kenyan lawyer and former politician of Indian origin - FitzChivalry Farseer, fictional character and protagonist in Robin Hobb'sRobin HobbRobin Hobb is the second pen name of novelist Margaret Astrid Lindholm Ogden who produces primarily fantasy fiction, although she has published some science fiction....
books. Son of Chivalry Farseer