Fitzpatrick

Fitzpatrick is a surname of Irish origin. It is an Anglicized form of the Gaelic Mac Giolla Phádraig, meaning “son of the devotee/servant of Patrick,” with Fitz- derived from the Norman-French term for “son.” The name also exists in the later, hyphenated form Fitz-Patrick. The adoption of Fitzpatrick reflects the historical influence of Norman surnaming practices in Ireland, combined with Gaelic naming elements.

In Ireland and among the Irish diaspora, Fitzpatrick is a relatively common surname. It is found in communities throughout the English-speaking world, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom. Variants and related forms include Fitzpatrick, Fitz-Patrick, and the original Gaelic Mac Giolla Phádraig.

There are numerous notable individuals who bear the surname across politics, sports, arts, science, and academia. As with many Irish surnames, these individuals may be associated with different branches of the surname’s family history and regional origins.

In addition to as a surname, Fitzpatrick appears in other contexts. The Fitzpatrick scale, also known as the Fitzpatrick skin type classification, is a system developed by Thomas B. Fitzpatrick in 1975 to estimate an individual’s skin type and response to ultraviolet radiation. It is widely used in dermatology and cosmetic medicine to assess burn risk and guide treatment and preventive strategies.