Meet the Fitzpatricks

The Fitzpatrick Coat-of-Arms

If you're a Fitzpatrick, perhaps you know that 'Fitz' is a Norman-French prefix attached to a Gaelic-Irish surname. But, perhaps you didn't know that only Fitzpatricks and Fitzdermots are considered to be in that category. The other Fitzes (like Fitzgerald or Fitzgibbon) are of Hiberno-Norman descent, which is a distinct group that came over during the Norman invasion.

During the time of the Norman invasion, some Irish were given anglicised equivalents; FitzPatrick was the equivalent for  Mac Giolla Phádraig. As you might guess, Phádraig is Irish for Patrick, and this family was named for their devotion to St. Patrick. Fitzpatricks, you are descended from Irish kings! Read more about the Fitzpatrick coat-of-arms and family name here.