Fitzgerald is an Anglo-Norman surname meaning "son of Gerald", from the Norman French fitz, son, with Gerald meaning "spear ruler". It is a famous American surname, carried by the novelist F. Scott Fitzgerald and used as the middle name of President John Fitzgerald Kennedy, which makes it a natural choice for parents who like Fitz as a nickname. Fitzgerald reached number 1610 in 2018 and ranks number 2427 in 2025.