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Fitzpatrick History Etymology Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables World Ranking

United States Canada Australia New Zealand

Contemporary Notables Historic Events Related Stories Motto Citations

Fitzpatrick History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Ireland

Etymology of Fitzpatrick

What does the name Fitzpatrick mean?

Most of the old Irish surnames that can be found throughout the world today have their roots in the Gaelic language. The original Gaelic form of the name Fitzpatrick is Mac Giolla Phadraig, denoting a devotee of St. Patrick. This is the only native-Irish surname with the prefix "Fitz", as all others descend from the Normans.1

Early Origins of the Fitzpatrick family

The surname Fitzpatrick was first found in Ossory (Irish: Osraige), the former Kingdom of Ossory, now county Kilkenny, located in Southeastern Ireland in the province of Leinster, where they were the traditional Princes of Ossary, claiming descent from the O'Connors 2 and Giolla Padraig, a warlike chief in Ossary who lived in the second half of the 10th century. 1

Early History of the Fitzpatrick family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Fitzpatrick research. Another 122 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1535, 1558, 1581, 1585, 1612, 1652, 1727 and 1774 are included under the topic Early Fitzpatrick History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Fitzpatrick Spelling Variations

Individual scribes in the Ireland during the Middle Ages would often record a person's name various ways. How the name was recorded depended on what that particular scribe believed the proper spelling for the name pronounced to him was. Spelling variations revealed in the search for the origin of the Fitzpatrick family name include Fitzpatrick, Fitzpatricks, Kilpatrick, Shera, Sherar, Sherra, Patchy, Patchie, Parogan, Parrican, Fitz, MacGilpatrick, McGilpatrick, MacIlpatrick, McIlpatrick, MacSherra, McSherra, McShera, MacShera, Sheera, McSheera and many more.

Early Notables of the Fitzpatrick family

Notable amongst the family name at this time was

Sir Barnaby Fitzpatrick, (1535?-1581), one of the first to submit to Henry VII and was knighted for his allegiance in 1558. He was the son and heir of Brian Fitzpatrick or MacGillapatrick, first lord...
Brian Fitzpatrick (1585-1652), was Vicar Apostolic of Ossory and Richard Fitzpatrick Lord Gowran (d. 1727), was the second son of John Fitzpatrick of Castletown, Queen's County

Fitzpatrick World Ranking

In the United States, the name Fitzpatrick is the 890^th most popular surname with an estimated 32,331 people with that name. 3 However, in Canada, the name Fitzpatrick is ranked the 745^th most popular surname with an estimated 7,187 people with that name. 4 And in Newfoundland, Canada, the name Fitzpatrick is the 158^th popular surname with an estimated 248 people with that name. 5 Australia ranks Fitzpatrick as 320^th with 11,087 people. 6 New Zealand ranks Fitzpatrick as 694^th with 1,025 people. 7 The United Kingdom ranks Fitzpatrick as 518^th with 12,664 people. 8

Fitzpatrick migration to the United States +

The 19th century saw a great wave of Irish migrating out of their homeland in a great measure due to the oppressive imperial policies of the English government and landowners. Many of these Irish families sailed to North America aboard overcrowded passenger ships. By far, the largest influx of Irish immigrants to North America occurred with Great Potato Famine during the late 1840s. These particular immigrants were instrumental in creation of the United States and Canada as major industrial nations because the many essential elements such as the roadways, canals, bridges, and railways required an enormous quantity of cheap labor, which these poor immigrants provided. Later generations of Irish in these countries also went on to make valuable contributions in such fields as the arts, commerce, politics, and education. Extensive research into immigration and passenger lists has revealed many early immigrants bearing the name Fitzpatrick:

Fitzpatrick Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Griz L Fitzpatrick, who arrived in Maryland in 1678 9

Fitzpatrick Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

George Fitzpatrick, who arrived in Boston, Massachusetts in 1765 9
John and Edward Fitzpatrick, who landed in Virginia in 1774
John Fitzpatrick, who landed in Delaware in 1778 9
James FitzPatrick, aged 45, who arrived in New York in 1799 9

Fitzpatrick Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Alexander, Andrew, Barney, Bernard, Cornelius, Daniel, Edward, Francis, George, Hugh, James, John, Michael, Patrick and William Fitzpatrick, who settled in Pennsylvania in the 1800's
Betty Fitzpatrick, aged 26, who arrived in Charlestown, Massachusetts in 1803 9
Robert Fitzpatrick, who arrived in New York, NY in 1803 9
Barnard Fitzpatrick, who arrived in America in 1803 9
Peter Fitzpatrick, who landed in Charleston, South Carolina in 1808 9
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Fitzpatrick migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Fitzpatrick Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Thomas Fitzpatrick, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1749
Terrence FitzPatrick, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1750
Thomas Fitzpatrick, who arrived in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1750
James Fitzpatrick, who arrived in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1750
James FitzPatrick, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1750
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Fitzpatrick Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Daniel Fitzpatrick, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1820
John Fitzpatrick, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1822
James Fitzpatrick, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1827
Patrick Fitzpatrick, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1828
Martin Fitzpatrick, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1831
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Fitzpatrick migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Fitzpatrick Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. John Fitzpatrick, (b. 1767), aged 34, Irish convict who was convicted in Kilkenny, Ireland for 7 years, transported aboard the "Atlas" on 29th November 1801, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 10
Miss. Mary Fitzpatrick, (b. 1784), aged 17, Irish convict who was convicted in Waterford, Ireland for 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the "Atlas" on 29th November 1801, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 10
Mr. James Fitzpatrick, Canadian covict who was convicted in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada for life, transported aboard the "Atlas" on 16th January 1816, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 10
Mr. William Fitzpatrick, English convict who was convicted in Bristol, England for life, transported aboard the "Fame" on 9th October 1816, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 11
Martin Fitzpatrick, English convict from Lancaster, who was transported aboard the "Almorah" on April 1817, settling in New South Wales, Australia 12
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Fitzpatrick migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Fitzpatrick Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Mr. Fitzpatrick, Australian settler travelling from Port Phillip Bay, Victoria aboard the ship "Earl Stanhope" arriving in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840 13
James Fitzpatrick, aged 24, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Jane Gifford" in 1842 14
Agnes Fitzpatrick, aged 22, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Jane Gifford" in 1842 14
Mary Ann Fitzpatrick, aged 1, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Jane Gifford" in 1842 14
Hugh Fitzpatrick, aged 17, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Jane Gifford" in 1842 14
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Fitzpatrick (post 1700) +

Robert Fitzpatrick (1940-2024), American art academic and executive, businessman, and politician
Minkah Annane Fitzpatrick Jr. (b. 1996), American football safety for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League
Thomas Benjamin Fitzpatrick (1896-1974), American politician, 26th Governor of American Samoa
General Richard FitzPatrick (1748-1813), Anglo-Irish soldier who served in Philadelphia Campaign during the American War of Independence
James A. Fitzpatrick (1894-1980), American movie producer and narrator
Thomas Fitzpatrick (d. 1854), Irish born, famed American trapper, fur trader, and guide
Carmella Fitzpatrick, American Republican politician, Alternate Delegate to Republican National Convention from Pennsylvania, 2008 15
Bourke D. Fitzpatrick, American Democratic Party politician, Candidate in primary for Michigan State House of Representatives from Wayne County 1st District, 1950, 1952 15
Benjamin Fitzpatrick (1802-1869), American Democratic Party politician, Governor of Alabama, 1841-45; U.S. Senator from Alabama, 1848-49, 1853-55, 1855-61; Nominee for Vice President of the United States 1860 15
Ben Fitzpatrick, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Alabama, 1892 15
... (Another 99 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Fitzpatrick family +

Empress of Ireland

Mr. Alexander Fitzpatrick (d. 1914), British Steward from United Kingdom who worked aboard the Empress of Ireland and died in the sinking 16
Mr. John Fitzpatrick, British Seaman from United Kingdom who worked aboard the Empress of Ireland (1914) and survived the sinking 16

Grover Shoe factory

Miss Mary Fitzpatrick, American employee of the Grover Shoe factory in Brockton, Massachusetts on 20th March 1905 when the boiler exploded and collapsed the wooden building; she died 17

HMS Prince of Wales

Mr. Bernard Fitzpatrick, British Boy, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking 18

Mount Mulligan Mine

John Fitzpatrick, British-born, Australian coal miner who was killed in the Mount Mulligan Mine explosion in 1921

RMS Titanic

Mr. Cecil William Fitzpatrick, aged 21, English Mess Steward from Southampton, Hampshire who worked aboard the RMS Titanic and survived the sinking escaping on collapsible B 19

SS Atlantic

Mary Fitzpatrick, who was traveling aboard the ship "SS Atlantic" when it struck rocks off Nova Scotia in 1873, died in the sinking

SS Caribou

Miss Bridget Fitzpatrick (b. 1882), Newfoundland crew member from Newfoundland and Labrador was travelling aboard the railway ferry "SS Caribou" when it was struck by a German submarine torpedo on 14th October 1942, the most significant sinking in Canadian waters at that time, she died in the sinking

SS Southern Cross

Mr. James Fitzpatrick (1892-1914), Newfoundlander from Carbonear who was aboard the "SS Southern Cross" when it is suspected she sank between the 31st March 1914 and early April during the storm with a heavy load of pelts; no survivors were ever found

The Fitzpatrick Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Ceart laidir a boo
Motto Translation: Might is Right

Citations +

MacLysaght, Edward, Irish Families Their Names, Arms and Origins 4th Edition. Dublin: Irish Academic, 1982. Print. (ISBN 0-7165-2364-7)
O'Hart, John, Irish Pedigrees 5th Edition in 2 Volumes. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Company, 1976. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0737-4)
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
"Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
The order of Common Surnames in 1955 in Newfoundland retrieved on 20th October 2021 (retrieved from Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland by E.R. Seary corrected edition ISBN 0-7735-1782-0)
"Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
"Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
"UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 14th July 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/atlas
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 27th September 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/fairlie
State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Almorah voyage to New South Wales, Australia in 1817 with 180 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/almorah/1817
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, December 1) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
Commemoration Empress of Ireland 2014. (Retrieved 2014, June 17) . Retrieved from http://www.empress2014.ca/seclangen/listepsc1.html
California Digital Newspaper from 21st March 1905 (retrieved on 5th August 2021.) Retrieved from https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=SFC19050321.2.19&e=-------en--20--1--txt-txIN--------1
HMS Prince of Wales Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listprincecrew.html
Titanic Passenger List - Titanic Facts. (Retrieved 2016, July 13) . Retrieved from http://www.titanicfacts.net/titanic-passenger-list.html