The FitzGerald/FitzMaurice dynasty is a noble and aristocratic dynasty of Cambro-Norman, Anglo-Norman, and then Hiberno-Norman origin. They have been peers of Ireland since at least the 13th century and are described in the Annals of the Four Masters as “more Irish than the Irish themselves” or Gaels, due to their assimilation into native Gaelic aristocracy and popular culture. The dynasty has also been noted as the greatest landowner in Geraldine and Ireland. They came to power with the conquest of much of Irish territory by the sons and grandsons of Gerald of Windsor (1075-1135). Gerald of Windsor (Gerald FitzWalter) was the first castellan of Pembroke Castle in Wales and became the male ancestor of the FitzMaurice and FitzGerald dynasties (“fitz”, from the Anglo-Norman son, indicating “son of” Gerald). His father, Baron Walter FitzOther, was the first constable and governor of Windsor Castle for William the Conqueror and lord of 38 mansions in England, 21 of which he owned as principal tenant. ‘Castle Dodd’ (or Dod) of the Fitzgerald family appears on a 1736 map of North County Cork
The main branches of the family are:
The FitzMaurices and FitzGeralds of Kildare (from 1316 Earls of Kildare, later Marquess of Kildare and from 1766 Dukes of Leinster and First Peers of Ireland). The current boss is Maurice FitzGerald, 9th Duke of Leinster.
The Fitzmaurices and FitzGeralds of Desmond (Barons Desmond, later Earls of Desmond).
The FitzGerald dynasty played an important role in Irish history. Gearóid Mór, 8th Earl of Kildare and his son Gearóid Óg, 9th Earl of Kildare were Lord Deputy of Ireland in the late 15th and early 16th centuries respectively. Thomas FitzGerald, 10th Earl of Kildare (died 1537), known as “Silken Thomas”, led an unsuccessful rebellion in Ireland, while Lord Edward FitzGerald (1763-1798), fifth son of the 1st Duke of Leinster, led a prominent personality was . in the 1798 rebellion. The current seat of Ireland’s parliament, Dáil Éireann, is in Leinster House, first built in 1745-1748 by James FitzGerald, 1st Duke of Leinster as the ducal palace of the Dukes of Leinster.
Fitzgerald/FitzGerald is the 692nd most common surname in the United Kingdom. The surname occurs most frequently in the following ten counties, in descending order, with the number of occurrences in parentheses: ‘1. Greater London, (500), Greater Manchester (191), West Midlands (176), Lancashire (130), Kent (118), Essex (117), West Yorkshire (113), Merseyside (108), Hampshire (84) and Surrey (76).”
“Fitzgerald” (including “FitzGerald” because the survey was not case-sensitive) was the 390th most common surname in the 2000 US Census. There were 73,522 Fitzgeralds counted, with 27.25 Fitzgeralds per 100,000 people. Respondents with the surname Fitzgerald had self-reported ethnicities of 88.03% White non-Hispanic only, 8.44% Non-Hispanic only Black, 0.32% Asian or Pacific Islander only, 1.28% Non-Hispanic only Asian, 1.43% from two or more non-Hispanic races, and 1.43% Hispanic.