Fitzpatrick (surname)
Fitzpatrick is an Irish surname that most commonly arose as an anglicised version of the Irish patronymic surname Mac Giolla Phádraig ('son of Giolla Phádraig'). In some cases, it may also have independently arisen by a similar anglicization of a likely-distinct Irish patronymic, Ó Maol Phádraig, ('descendant of Maol Phádraig') or in rare cases as a genuine Anglo-Irish patronymic incorporating the Norman French "fiz" ('son of') and the male name Patrick. Giolla Phádraig (meaning "the devotee of [Saint] Patrick", also one of origins of the surname Kilpatrick) was the personal name of Gilla Patráic mac Donnchada , a tenth century king of Ossory. His sons were subsequently styled "Mac Giolla Phádraig" (meaning, "son of Giolla Phádraig"), and gave rise to a dynasty of Kings of Ossory that bore this patronymic as a dynastic name. In the 16th century, as part of the process of king Henry VIII's surrender and regrant scheme to anglicize the Irish nobility, some members of the clan were legally obligated to render their surname as Fitz-Patrick or Fitzpatrick as part of the agreed terms with the Crown. This change occurred on paper, and most non-English-speaking clansmen did not adopt  the change in daily speech until centuries after. The Fitzpatrick surname was also adopted among other families, such as the Maguires of Fermanagh. Like the related Kilpatrick and Mulpatrick, the surname was sometimes shortened simply to Patrick. The 1901 Census of Ireland indicates the top five Counties for the surname Fitzpatrick, by birth, were Co. Cavan, followed by Co. Laois, Co. Dublin, Co. Down and Co. Cork. Since 2019 Fitzpatrick / Mac Gilpatrick of Ulster – Mac Giolla Phádraig Ulaidh and Fitzpatrick / O'Mulpatrick of Breifne – Ó Maol Phádraig Breifne , both members of the Fitzpatrick Clan Society, have been registered with the Clans  of Ireland. In 2021 Fitzpatrick / Mac Gilpatrick of the tribe of Cas – Mac Giolla Phádraig Dál gCais registered with the Clans of Ireland.