Fitz
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.
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 England; and FitzClarence, son of the Duke of Clarence). From this later use, it has been implied that the name indicates illegitimacy, which was not originally the case.
The Irish surname FitzGerald is thought to derive from Gerald de Windsor, a Norman-Welsh 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.
Surnames with the prefix
People
Prefix
Surname
Given name
Notes
This article incorporates text from an edition of the New International Encyclopedia that is in the public domain.
Retrieved from : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fitz
