A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Fitz-Patrick family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 3545 · French, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“De sa. au saut. d'arg.; au chef d'azur, ch. de trois fleurs-de-lis d'or. C.: un lion léopardé de sa., posé sur le dos d'une salamandre pass. de sin., la tête cont. S.: deux lions de sa., cour., coll. et enchaînés d'or. D.: FORTIS SUB FORTE FATISCET.”
Francec. 1715
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Map of France showing where the Fitz-Patrick arms are recorded
The Fitz-Patrick arms were recorded in France, c. 1715.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bretagne.
More families held coats of arms in Bretagne than anywhere else in France. The land was divided into many small estates rather than a few large ones, so far more households counted as gentry, and each needed a shield of its own to be told apart.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
The body that granted and recorded arms in France in this period.
Louis XIV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XIV of France
1643–1715
Reigning in France when the Fitz-Patrick arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in France
In France, a coat of arms was a mark of honor that passed down through the male line to all legitimate descendants. Families often used the same shield without changes to show their shared heritage. If a branch wanted to stand out, they could add a small mark to their shield to show their specific place in the family tree.
Granting authority
The Juge d'armes de France acted as the official authority that regulated and verified coats of arms across the country.
How they got arms
Families typically inherited their arms from ancestors, though they could also receive them through royal grants or by proving their noble status.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms were officially recorded in the Armorial Général de France, which began its main collection in the year 1696.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of France.
Origin & History of the Fitz-Patrick Family in France
The family name Fitz-Patrick carries a unique history that bridges the gap between ancient Gaelic roots and the social landscape of eighteenth-century France. While the name originated from the Irish tradition of using the prefix Fitz to denote a son, members of the family eventually sought new opportunities across the English Channel. By 1715, records confirm that representatives of the family had established a presence in the region of Bretagne. During this period, France was a hub for families from the British Isles who were navigating the complex political and religious shifts of the era. These early settlers in Bretagne integrated into the local community while maintaining their distinct ancestral identity. Their transition into French society highlights how families moved across borders to find stability and professional advancement during the early modern period.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Az. six lions ramp. ar. three, two, and one”
Irelandc. 1645
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Map of Ireland showing where the Fitz-Patrick arms are recorded
The Fitz-Patrick arms were recorded in Ireland, c. 1645.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Dublin.
Dublin was the seat of government in Ireland and the place where grants were sought and recorded. Families with business at the castle or the courts settled nearby, and settling there put their arms on record.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
The body that granted and recorded arms in Ireland in this period.
Charles I of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles I of England
1625–1649
Reigning in France when the Fitz-Patrick arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Ireland
The Ulster King of Arms granted coats of arms to individuals who proved their social standing and good character. These symbols were typically inherited by all legitimate descendants of the original holder. If a family branch wanted a unique look, they could apply for a specific change to their design through the office to ensure their identity remained distinct.
Granting authority
The Ulster King of Arms acted as the official body that regulated and issued all coats of arms throughout Ireland.
How they got arms
Families obtained their arms through formal grants issued by the office after proving their eligibility and paying the required fees.
Where arms were recorded
All official grants were recorded in the registers held by the Ulster King of Arms starting from the year 1552.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Ireland.
Origin & History of the Fitz-Patrick Family in Ireland
The name FitzPatrick is a unique example of how Gaelic and Norman naming traditions merged in medieval Ireland. The prefix "Fitz" is of Norman origin and means "son of," while the second part of the name is derived from the Gaelic name Giolla Phádraig, which translates to "servant of Saint Patrick." Originally, the family held the title of Lords of Upper Ossory, a kingdom located in what is now County Laois and County Kilkenny. By the middle of the seventeenth century, the family had established a significant presence in urban centers like Dublin. During the turbulent political climate of 1645, members of the family were active participants in the social and administrative life of the city. This period marked a transition for many noble Gaelic families as they navigated the shifting power structures of seventeenth-century Ireland.
Fitz-Patrick Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Patricius
Derived from the Latin word for a nobleman or aristocrat.
This name
Fitz-PatrickRefers to the son of a person named Patrick, indicating noble descent.
also spelled
Fizpatrick
Phitzpatrick
Fitzpatrik
MacPatrick
Patrickson
Related arms
Patricksonvariant spelling
Kavanaghrecorded with Fitz-Patrick, same area
Mac Cochlanrecorded with Fitz-Patrick, same area
O'Hanlonrecorded with Fitz-Patrick, same area
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Lart, Charles E., The Jacobite Extracts from the Parochial Registers of Saint-Germain-en-Laye, 1910
Archives Départementales d'Ille-et-Vilaine, Série B: Cours et juridictions
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