The surname Fitzgerald is of Irish origin and signifies the ‘son of Gerald’. The name was formed by the addition of the Anglo-Norman-French prefix ‘fitz’, son of, to the given name. The given name Gerald is composed of the Germanic elements ‘gar’, ‘ger’, spear and ‘wald’, rule; the name thus signifies ‘spear ruler’. This is the name of an ancient and powerful Irish family. They are said to be descended from the famous Maurice, son of Gerald, who accompanied Strongbow in the Anglo-Norman invasion. The Fitzgeralds of Ireland have filled the pages of Irish history. One bearer of this name is especially memorable, Garrett Fitzgerald, whose adroitness in dealing with successive English sovereigns, with whom he was always in conflict, is typified by one incident. When called upon by Henry VII to account for his action in burning the Cathedral at Cashel he frankly replied that he would not have done so had he not been told that the Archbishop was inside. A famous author bore this name Edward Fitzgerald ( 1809-1883 ), author of the Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam. The name dates back to the eleventh century with a Maurice Fitzgerald recorded in historical archives. The na…
Coat of arms: Argent…