Fitz

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For other uses, see Fitz (disambiguation).

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Fitz forms a prefix to patronymic surnames of Anglo-Norman origin. This usage derives from the Norman fiz (from French fils, Latin filius), meaning "son of", which was coupled with the name of the father (e.g. Fitz Gilbert, meaning "son of Gilbert"), 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.

[edit] History

This usage arose prior to the development of inherited surnames, and such forms were originally not inherited, changing with each generation along with the given name of the father. With the development of inherited surnames, most Anglo-Norman families abandoned this form in favor of geographic, descriptive or occupational surnames, but in a subset of families a single form of the patronymic (e.g. Fitz Alan, FitzGerald) became fixed and passed as an inherited surname, independent of the paternal given names of the succeeding generations. See family name.

This usage was particularly common among the descendants of Anglo-Norman families settled in Ireland, perhaps in imitation of the native patronymic forms Mc/Mac ("son of") and O ("grandson/descendant of").

[edit] 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 name Fitzpatrick is not of Norman origin; it is an Anglicisation 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.

[edit] Surnames with the prefix

[edit] People

[edit] Prefix

  • For specific person with surname or given name prefix Fitz, see the family name.

[edit] Surname

Variant spelling

[edit] Given name

[edit] Notes


This article incorporates text from an edition of the New International Encyclopedia that is in the public domain.

WP Anthroponymy notice This page or section lists people with the surname Fitz. If an internal link for a specific person referred you to this page, you may wish to add the given name(s) to that link.
WP Anthroponymy notice This page or section lists people with the given name Fitz. If an internal link for a specific person referred you to this page, you may wish to add the surname to that link.
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