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Fitz

Fitz is a prefix and given name with historical and contemporary uses. Etymologically, it derives from the Old French phrase fils de, meaning “son of.” In medieval England and Ireland, the prefix was abbreviated as Fitz- and attached to a father’s name to form a surname meaning “son of,” a pattern that survives in many modern names.

As a surname prefix, Fitz- appears in numerous Irish and Anglo-Norman lineages. Common examples include Fitzpatrick

In contemporary use, Fitz also functions as a given name or nickname. It is often a shortened

Overall, Fitz reflects a historical method of signaling patronymic origin in surnames and has persisted as

(son
of
Patrick),
FitzGerald
(descendant
of
Gerald),
Fitzsimmons,
Fitzwilliam,
and
Fitzhugh.
The
FitzGerald
dynasty,
in
particular,
became
a
prominent
noble
lineage
in
Ireland,
supplying
several
earls
and
ducal
titles.
In
everyday
usage,
Fitz-
appears
in
many
unrelated
surnames
such
as
Fitzsimmons
and
Fitzroy,
illustrating
the
diverse
modern
inheritance
of
the
prefix.
form
of
Fitzgerald
or
other
names
beginning
with
Fitz-,
and
it
is
sometimes
used
independently.
In
popular
culture,
the
name
appears
for
several
fictional
characters,
including
Leopold
“Fitz”
Fitz
in
the
television
series
Agents
of
S.H.I.E.L.D.,
and
Fitzgerald
Grant,
commonly
called
Fitz,
the
president
in
Shonda
Rhimes’s
Scandal.
a
standalone
name
or
nickname
in
modern
times,
maintaining
cultural
associations
with
heritage
and
lineage
across
English-speaking
societies.