Fitzgibbon is a Hiberno-Norman name with deep roots among the great Geraldine families of Munster.
Where does the Fitzgibbon name come from?
Fitzgibbon means “son of Gibbon” — Gibbon being a pet form of Gilbert — with the Norman prefix “fitz,” from the French fils, meaning “son of.” The name arose among the FitzGeralds, the powerful Norman family who became thoroughly woven into Irish life.
The Fitzgibbons in Ireland
The principal family, the FitzGibbons of Munster, were a branch of the Geraldines, and their chief was known by the famous title “the White Knight.” They held lands in counties Limerick and Cork. As a documented Hiberno-Norman name, Fitzgibbon is found today across Ireland and among the diaspora in the United States, Canada, Australia and Britain.
Did you know?
- Fitzgibbon means “son of Gibbon,” a pet form of Gilbert.
- The “fitz” prefix comes from the French fils, “son of.”
- The family were a branch of the Norman FitzGeralds.
- Their chief bore the famous title “the White Knight.”
- They held lands in counties Limerick and Cork.
Related Irish family names
You may also like Fitzmaurice, Fitzgerald, and Barry.
Frequently asked questions
Is Fitzgibbon an Irish surname?
Fitzgibbon is a Hiberno-Norman name, a branch of the Geraldines, long established in Munster.
What does Fitzgibbon mean?
It means “son of Gibbon,” a pet form of Gilbert, with the Norman “fitz” prefix.