Fitzgerald

Gaelic: Mac Gearailt

Variant: FitzGerald

Motto: Crom Abú
“Crom to Victory”

Name Meaning: Spear Ruler

Famous Fitzgeralds:
F. Scott Fitzgerald – author
Geraldine Fitzgerald – actress
Barry Fitzgerald – actor
John F. Fitzgerald – politician, grandfather of president John F. Kennedy

The surname Fitzgerald is one of the two great surnames resulting from the Anglo-Norman conquest, when the name came to Ireland in 1170. The name originated in Wales. The surname FitzGerald means "son of Gerald", cf. French fils (pronounced "fiss") for son, (Gerald meaning "rule of the spear.") The name is now ranked as the 36st most prevalent name in Ireland, with over 13,000 members. The name is most numerous in Munster and Limerick.

 

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