Fitzgerald

Fitzgerald is a surname of Norman origin, formed from the prefix fitz, meaning “son of,” added to the given name Gerald. The form FitzGerald is also common, particularly in historical records and in families that preserve the capitalization. In Ireland, the name is associated with the FitzGerald dynasty (Mac Gearailt in Irish), a Hiberno-Norman noble family that held significant lands and titles and played a prominent role in medieval and early modern Irish politics. As a given name, Fitzgerald is far less common but has appeared occasionally.

The surname is widely distributed in English-speaking countries, especially in Ireland and the United States, reflecting centuries of migration and cultural exchange. In American culture, the name is associated with several notable figures across the arts and public life.

Notable individuals with the surname include F. Scott Fitzgerald (1896–1940), the American novelist best known for works such as The Great Gatsby, and Ella Fitzgerald (1917–1996), the influential American jazz singer often referred to as the First Lady of Song. The name also appears in various other fields, reflecting its broad cultural presence.

Geographically, Fitzgerald is used as a place name in some regions, including Fitzgerald, Georgia, in the United States. The surname remains common in genealogical and onomastic studies as an example of Hiberno-Norman heritage and the spread of Norman naming conventions into Irish and American contexts.