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Archiver > IRL-SLIGO > 2000-08 > 0965464651


From: Paul Burns <>
Subject: Re: [IRL-SLIGO] Irish surnames
Date: Sat, 05 Aug 2000 04:37:31 -0400
References: <008601bffe52$31af2b00$afb54518@mtki1.on.wave.home.com>


I believe Fitz was a Norman/English introduction and meant "son of." Thus
Fitzmaurice, Fitzgerald, Fitzpatrick meant son of Maurice, Gerald, Patrick. Fitz
therefore was the same as Mac or Mc, meaning "son of" while the O originally
meant "grandson of." The stress is on "originally" though because all became
family names centuries ago

Mike Morris wrote:

> Would anyone be able to explain to me where the beginning of some Irish
> surnames came from. For example I have been told that a name with FITZ at
> the beginning came from the Vikings. and yet someone else said the only true
> Irish name with FITZ in it was FITZPATRICK. I have been told by another
> source that 'O' such as in O'Brian is a true Irish name. There must be a
> number of names out there that can be associated with other races, ( example
> the Spanish who were shipwrecked in Ireland) Please someone satisfy my
> curiosity and give me a history lesson, or share this information with the
> list.
>
> I would especially like to know about the name FITZ, my family were called
> FITZMAURICE.
>
> Best wishes for an enjoyable week end.
>
> Mike Morris
>
> Toronto Canada
>
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