Fitzgerald surname meaning

Fitzgerald is an Anglo-Norman patronymic meaning “son of Gerald.” The prefix fitz comes from a Norman French form related to “son,” while Gerald is a Germanic personal name traditionally associated with spear and rule. The surname became especially prominent in Ireland after Anglo-Norman settlement, where Gaelic forms such as MacGearailt also occur. FitzGerald is a common historical spelling, but a shared name does not prove descent from one documented noble line. The prefix-plus-personal-name structure is direct, so Fitzgerald receives a high-confidence parent’s-name classification.