FitzWilliam

Fitzwilliam is a surname of Norman origin formed from the elements fitz, meaning son, and William. It has been borne by English and Irish families since medieval times and has given rise to place names and institutions in areas once associated with those families. In historical contexts, the FitzWilliam family (often rendered Fitzwilliam in modern forms) held landed estates and titles in Ireland and England, and members of the family appeared in political and social circles from the Early Modern period onward.

One of the best-known modern uses of the name is in the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge, England. The museum, part of the University of Cambridge, houses a substantial collection of art and antiquities and is named after Richard FitzWilliam, 7th Viscount FitzWilliam, whose bequest helped establish the institution in the 19th century. The museum is a prominent cultural resource, with holdings ranging from European paintings to ancient artifacts and decorative arts.

Today, Fitzwilliam remains in use as a surname and, less commonly, appears in geographic and institutional names connected to families historically associated with the name. The spelling Fitzwilliam is sometimes alternated with FitzWilliam in historical documents and some contemporary references. See also the related name FitzWilliam and the noble titles historically associated with the family.