Our common ancestors - Fitzgerald - Contents

Fitzgerald (The Geraldines)

It took some time for Fitzgerald to become the standard surname. I retrospectively name them all Fitzgerald from the start (except for the line that became Fitzmaurice).

• References:
  • LEINSTER in [Burkes Peerage]
  • LANSDOWNE in [Burkes Peerage]

Maurice Fitzgerald de Windsor (see here),
"Invader of Ireland", born 1100,
principal leader under Strongbow of Anglo-Norman invasion of Ireland 1169,
granted Maynooth, Co.Kildare, by Strongbow 1176,
died 1176, Wexford, age 76 yrs,
having had issue:

1. Gerald Fitzgerald, 1st Baron of Offaly,
   prob. built Maynooth Castle, Maynooth, Co.Kildare, 1203,
   had issue:
   1. Maurice Fitzgerald, 2nd Baron of Offaly, born c.1194, Justiciar of Ireland 1232-45,
      died 1257, age c.63 yrs, having had issue:
      1. Maurice Fitzgerald,
         mar 1stly to Maud de Prendergast,
         mar 2ndly to Emeline de Longespee [descendant of Henry II],
         think tenant of Baggotrath 1255,
         Justiciar of Ireland 1272,
         had issue by 1st wife, NOT by 2nd wife:
         1. Juliane Fitzgerald, mar Thomas de Clare, Lord of Thomond and had issue.

      2. Thomas Fitzgerald, had issue:
         1. John Fitzgerald, 1st Earl of Kildare,
            mar Blanche de la Roche [who could NOT be great-granddau of Elizabeth de Clare, born 1295],
            cr 1316,
            granted Kildare Castle, Kildare town,
            but the seat of the Earls was at Maynooth Castle,
            had issue:
            1. Thomas Fitzgerald, 2nd Earl of Kildare.

            2. Joan Fitzgerald, mar 1302 to Edmund le Botiller and had issue.

2. Thomas Fitzgerald, granted land at Shanid (nr Glin, or nr Shanagolden), W Co.Limerick, 1197,
   had issue:
   1. John Fitzthomas Fitzgerald of Shanid.

   2. Maurice Fitzthomas Fitzgerald, had issue:
      1. Thomas Fitzmaurice, 1st Lord of Kerry,
         ancestor of Fitzmaurice, Lord of Kerry, Earl of Kerry, Earl of Shelburne, Marquess of Lansdowne.

Kildare Castle.
Photo 2009. See larger.
From William Murphy. See terms of use.

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• Earl of Kildare

• Fitzgerald surname discussion forum

• kildare.ie

• The old flag of Ireland, the Cross of St.Patrick (red diagonal cross on white background), may come from the arms of Fitzgerald, Earl of Kildare. See origin. It now (since 1801) forms part of the Union Jack.

• Place names in Dublin derived from the Fitzmaurice branch:
  • Shelbourne Rd, Lansdowne Rd, Shelbourne Park.
  • Shelbourne Football Club ("Shels")
  • The Shelbourne Hotel, St.Stephen's Green.