  | |
| Origin | |
|---|---|
| Meaning | "Son of Maurice" |
| Region of origin | Ireland and Britain |
| Other names | |
| Variant form(s) | FitzMaurice Fitz-Maurice Fitzmorris |
Fitzmaurice is a Hiberno-Norman, Cambro-Norman, Anglo-Norman surname. It is patronymic as the prefix Fitz-
derives from the Latin filius, meaning "son of".[1]
According to Irish genealogist Edward MacLysaght: [2]
The first Fitzmaurice family known in Ireland and Britain were the sons and daughter of Maurice FitzGerald, Lord of Lanstephan and they were the progenitors of the famous Geraldines through Thomas FitzMaurice, eldest son, known as Lord OConnello, 1st Baron of Kerry, progenitor of the Earls of Desmond and through Gerald FitzMaurice, 2nd eldest son, 1st Lord of Offaly, progenitor of the Earls of Kildare and Earls of Leinster. They were known as lords of Lixnaw in Kerry notable for their resistance to the English in the sixteenth century. They were the grandsons and grand daughter of Gerald FitzWalther, Gerald de Windsor. The name Fitzmaurice is also connected with County Mayo because some Connacht Prendergasts adopted it.
Fitzmaurice is uncommon as a given name.[3]
Notable people with the surname Fitzmaurice include:
| Earls of Kerry | Earls of Leinster | Earls of Desmond . Progenitors of the famous Irish family The Geraldines, (died c. 1221) progenitor of Earls of Kildare and Leinster (died 1579), leader of the Desmond Rebellions aka John FitzMaurice (1706–1761), Anglo-Irish and politician. 1st Baron of Kerry (died c. 1209) progenitor of Earls of Desmond
