The given name Fitzgerald originates from the medieval Anglo-Norman French language, which was spoken by the Norman aristocracy after the Norman conquest of England in 1066. The name is a compound of two elements: "fils" meaning "son" and "gerald" meaning "ruler with a spear."

The name Fitzgerald is closely associated with the Hiberno-Norman dynasty of the same name, one of the most powerful Anglo-Norman families in medieval Ireland. The first recorded use of the name dates back to the late 12th century, when Maurice FitzGerald, Lord of Maynooth and Naas, established the dynasty.

In the 13th century, Maurice FitzGerald's grandson, Gerald FitzMaurice, played a significant role in the Norman conquest of Ireland. He was known as "Gerald the Great" and was the progenitor of several notable families, including the Earls of Kildare and the Earls of Desmond.

One of the most famous historical figures with the name Fitzgerald was the English Renaissance writer and courtier, Sir Thomas Fitzgerald (c. 1513 - 1537). He was a close friend of Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey, and is known for his role in introducing the sonnet form to English literature.

Another notable Fitzgerald was George Fitzgerald (1612 - 1665), an Irish military leader and statesman who fought for the Royalist cause during the English Civil War. He was later appointed Lord Deputy of Ireland and played a crucial role in the Restoration of the monarchy in 1660.

During the 18th century, the name Fitzgerald gained literary prominence with the Irish writer and poet Oliver Goldsmith (1728 - 1774), whose full name was Oliver Goldsmith Esquire. Although Goldsmith is not directly associated with the name Fitzgerald, his middle name was a nod to the influential Fitzgerald family.

In the 19th century, one of the most celebrated figures with the name Fitzgerald was Edward Fitzgerald (1809 - 1883), an English writer and poet best known for his translation of the Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam, which brought the Persian poet's work to the attention of the English-speaking world.