Surname Fitzwilton - Meaning and Origin

Fitzwilton: What does the surname Fitzwilton mean?

The surname Fitzwilton is derived from the Old French expression “fils Guillaume,” which means “son of William.” The Fitzwilton surname is believed to have originated in the south of England in the eleventh century with a Norman baron named “William.” The baron William was likely descended from the House of Normandy, a powerful Norman noble family that held large amounts of power and wealth in England during the Middle Ages.

The Fitzwilton surname is fairly rare, even today, though it has become increasingly common in the United States of America. Those who bear the surname are likely to have descended from the first William Fitzwilton, though this is not certain.

The Fitzwilton surname is associated with William Fitzwilton’s aristocratic roots and hints at a shared proud background. It is also associated with the value of pride in one’s ancestors and a sense of strength, power, and wealth from the days of old. Those who carry the surname can take solace in knowing that they are a part of a legacy descended from a noble and respected family of the past.

Fitzwilton: Where does the name Fitzwilton come from?

The surname Fitzwilton is most commonly found in Ireland today. It is a surname derived from a Norman personal name - Wiltune or Wilton - which was in turn derived from an Old English place name and meaning ‘a hill encircled by a stream’.

The Fitzwilton surname first began to be used during the 12th Century in Leinster, Ireland. Most of the occurrences of the Fitzwilton surname were within the Irish province of Leinster during more medieval time periods. This indicates that many of the people who adopted the Fitzwilton surname were likely either Anglo-Norman settlers or of Anglo-Norman descent

Today, the surname Fitzwilton remains most common in Ireland. Many of its variants, such as Fitzwilliam, Fitzwillan, and Fitzwilsen are still in use in the country. A considerable number of people with these surnames are also found in the United States, particularly in states such as New York, California, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania.

Although relatively rare compared to many other surnames, Fitzwilton is still found today in several countries around the world, predominantly in Ireland, the United States, and England.

Variations of the surname Fitzwilton

The surname Fitzwilton has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. The most common variant is FitzWylton, followed by FitzWilton, FitzWyldton, FitzWildon, FitzWyldham, FitzWyltonne, FitzWayland, FitzWaylond, FitzWoolson, FitzWilliam, and FitzWallington.

The Fitz prefix of this surname indicates it is of Norman origin. The root name Wylton originates from the Old English word 'wilte,' meaning a wild area, and 'tun' meaning homestead or farm. Thus, the literal meaning of Fitzwilton is 'the farm of the wild area'.

In early records this name is sometimes Anglicised to Foulton, Fowlden and Fowelton and can also be found as Foulstone, Fowlstone or Fowlston. Despite the many variants, these three surnames all ultimately derive from the same original source.

In Ireland, some descendants of Fitzwilton may have adopted Mac William as a surname due to the Anglicization of the name in the 18th century. During the 1880s a large number of Irish people adopting Mac surnames was recorded, some of whom may have adopted Fitzwilton as MacWilton.

In Scotland, the surname Fitzwilton is found in its original Norman form and as Kilwylton as the root name has been Gaelicized. In the United States, FitzWylton is usually seen as Wyllton, Willton, and Wildton. FitzWylton is also seen as Wylton, Fylton and Wylten, all of which are of the same origin.

Famous people with the name Fitzwilton

• Virginia Fitzwilton: American actress.
• Oliver Fitzwilton: British actor.
• Robert Fitzwilton: British music composer and orchestral conductor.
• Jack Fitzwilton: 17th-century Governor of Newfoundland.
• Hugh Fitzwilton: 8th-century King of Northumbria and first leader of the Fitzwilton dynasty.
• Cyril Fitzwilton: British-born Canadian businessman.
• Simon Fitzwilton: British-born chemist and inventor.
• James Fitzwilton: Canadian lawyer and academic.
• William Fitzwilton: Leader of an Irish Rebellion in 865 AD.
• Charles Fitzwilton: British-born diamond merchant.

Other surnames

Fitzwilliam