Surname Fitzroy - Meaning and Origin
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Fitzroy: What does the surname Fitzroy mean?
FitzRoy is a surname of Norman and French origin. It is derived from the words “fils”, meaning “son of” and “roy”, meaning “king”. As such, it could have originally been used to indicate familial ties to a royal family.
However, the name became more commonly associated with the FitzRoy family of England, when Admiral Robert FitzRoy was appointed Governor of New Zealand in the early 19th century. FitzRoy was the commander of the HMS Beagle during its famous voyage around the world with a young Charles Darwin aboard, and is known for his long-term dedication to developing the weather forecasting system that is in use even today.
Due to Robert FitzRoy’s stature, the name was used to honor his legacy and family. Over time, it became adopted widely by other families and is commonly found in many parts of the world today.
The FitzRoy name continues to carry a strong sense of nobility, honor, and prestige, and families with the surname today may take pride in the legacy of the original FitzRoy family. Additionally, given the connection with Robert FitzRoy and early meteorology, one may suggest that those with the surname today should appreciate science and seek to carry on the legacy of the original FitzRoy family.
Order DNA origin analysisFitzroy: Where does the name Fitzroy come from?
The last name Fitzroy is a relatively uncommon last name of British origin. It is still found in some areas of England, particularly in the South West and South East. The city of Bath, in Somerset, has the highest concentration of people with the Fitzroy last name. Other areas of England with a notable presence include Surrey, Berkshire, Oxfordshire, and Herefordshire.
It is believed that the surname Fitzroy originated from the Norman conquest of England in the 11th century. The last name was derived from a place name, such as Fitzroy in Hampshire. It is also thought to be derived from the Old French word “fitz” meaning “son”, combined with “roy” meaning “king”, thus literally meaning “son of the king”.
The last name has also spread to other parts of the world through emigration. It is found in parts of Canada, such as Nova Scotia, and has also been recorded in Australia, New Zealand and the United States.
The history of the Fitzroy name is closely linked to the British aristocracy and royal family. It has been the surname of several of England's monarchs, including Edward VIII, Henry VIII's illegitimate son Henry Fitzroy, and Charles II's illegitimate son, Charles Fitzroy.
The Fitzroy last name is not as widely found today as it once was in England, but it is still relatively common in some areas. Although the name has spread to many other places in the world, it is still a reminder of its rich historic roots in British society.
Variations of the surname Fitzroy
The surname Fitzroy is derived from the Norman French word ‘fitz,’ which means ‘son.’ The surname is typically of English origin, but is also found in other cultures, such as French and Irish.
Fitzroy is the most common spelling of the surname, though there are variations. Fitzroy can also be spelled FitzRoys, FitzRoy, Fitzroys, Fitz Rage, Fitzrage, Fitzraig and Fitzraige.
In French, Fitzroy is often written as Fitsroy, Fitsroi, Fichiroi or Fichroy. In Spanish, it is usually written as Fitzroi. In German, Fitzroy can be found spelled as Ficheroi.
Fitzroy as a surname is also commonly given certain prefixes or suffixes. There are several variants of the name which vary according to their prefix or suffix, such as Fitzroy-Smith, Fitzroy-Smithson, FitzRoy-Perkins, FitzRoy-Thomson, Fitzroy-Walker and Fitzroy-Jones.
An alternate spelling of Fitzroy is Fitzroi, which is an Irish surname. Other Irish variations of the surname include MacFitzroy, Fitzsimons and O’Fitzroy.
Fitzroy is a popular surname around the world. In Scotland, a variant of the surname is MacFiers, while in Spain it is often spelled Ficheroi.
Despite the various variations of the surname Fitzroy, all versions of the name are derived from the same Norman French word ‘fitz,’ meaning ‘son.’ This idea of a child being the ‘son’ of someone else, or having a sense of belonging to a larger family, is a common theme among many surnames that originate from the same source.
Famous people with the name Fitzroy
- Robert FitzRoy: A British Royal Navy officer and scientist who was the captain of HMS Beagle during Charles Darwin's famous voyage.
- Adrian FitzRoy: A former English cricketer who played as a right-handed batsman for Sussex County Cricket Club.
- Alexander FitzRoy: A British politician who was Member of Parliament for Bury St Edmunds in 1837.
- Alastair Fitzroy: A British politician who was Member of Parliament for South East Staffordshire from 1959 to 1966.
- Bevil FitzRoy: A British politician who was Member of Parliament for Totnes from 1573 to 1576.
- Charles FitzRoy: A British politician who was Member of Parliament for Bury St Edmunds in 1802.
- Clarence FitzRoy: A British politician who was Member of Parliament for South Wiltshire from 1945 to 1951.
- George FitzRoy: A British politician who was Member of Parliament for Norwich from 1679 to 1681.
- Henry FitzRoy: A British politician who was Member of Parliament for Plymouth from 17809 to 1808.
- Herbert FitzRoy: A British politician who was Member of Parliament for Henley from 1841 to 1847.
- John FitzRoy: A British politician who was Member of Parliament for Ilchester from 1796 to 1806.
- Peter FitzRoy: A British politician who was Member of Parliament for Sudbury from 1806 to 1807.
- Rosalind FitzRoy: A British courtesan and actress who had affairs with King Charles II and Samuel Pepys.
- William FitzRoy: A British politician who was Member of Parliament for Marlborough from 1747 to 1750.