Irish surname
Son of Gerald
Patronymic surname (from a father's name)
Fitzgerald is a Norman-Irish patronymic meaning 'son of Gerald'. The prefix 'Fitz' is from the Norman French 'fils' (son). The Fitzgeralds (or Geraldines) arrived in Ireland with the Anglo-Norman invasion and became one of the most powerful families in the country, holding the earldoms of Kildare and Desmond.
They were deeply involved in Irish politics for centuries and at times acted as semi-independent rulers. The surname is still common in Ireland, particularly in Munster and Leinster, and is found throughout the Irish diaspora.
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Son of Gerald. "Fitz", from Anglo-Norman "fils" (son), plus the Germanic name Gerald - a Norman-Irish family name, not native Gaelic.
Fitzgerald is a Irish-origin surname. Popularity varies widely by country and region, and the same surname can be common in one place and rare in another.
Yes. Surnames, especially occupational and descriptive ones like this, were often adopted independently by many unrelated families who happened to share a trade, appearance, or location.
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