Fitz is an English given name that serves as a short form of various given names derived from surnames beginning with the Norman French element fitz, meaning "son of." Examples include Fitzroy, Fitzgerald, Fitzwilliam, and Fitzpatrick. The element itself originated as a patronymic marker in Anglo-Norman England after the Norman Conquest of 1066. Etymology and History The word fitz comes from the Old French noun filz or fiz (modern French fils), meaning "son of," ultimately from Latin filius. In medieval documents, it appears in various spellings such as fiz, filz, or fitz. The term was used before the father's given name or occasionally before a title held by the father (e.g., FitzNorman for a son of a Norman). In rare cases, it formed part of a matronymic when the mother was more prominent. Following the Norman Conquest, this practice became a significant part of the formation of English surnames. Over time, the Norman form fitz was standardised in English, and it was adopted by English kings for the surnames given to some of their recognised illegitimate children, such as the name FitzRoy ("son of the king"). Usage as a Given Name As a given name, Fitz emerged as a nickname or shortened form of longer compound names beginning with Fitz-. It occasionally stands alone as a first name, often in honour of a family surname or historical figure, though it remains rare. Usage is most common in English-speaking countries, particularly the United Kingdom and the United States, but it is much more frequent as a surname element than as a standalone given name. Cultural Significance The use of Fitz- prefixes in names is strongly associated with Anglo-Norman heritage and the medieval period. Names like FitzRoy are historically noted for being given to royal bastards, while names like Fitzgerald belong to prominent Irish families of Norman descent. As a short form, Fitz preserves an echo of that historical connection to patronage, kinship, and feudal identity. Meaning: Son of (short form of names beginning with Fitz-) Origin: Anglo-Norman French (from Latin filius) Type: Diminutive/hypocoristic Usage regions: English-speaking world (primarily UK and US)