Fitzpatrick is an Irish surname that most commonly arose as an anglicised version of the Irish patronymic surname Mac Giolla Phádraig ('son of Giolla Phádraig'). In some cases, it may also have independently arisen by a similar anglicization of a likely-distinct Irish patronymic, Ó Maol Phádraig, ('descendant of Maol Phádraig') or in rare cases as a genuine Anglo-Irish patronymic incorporating the Norman French fiz ('son of') and the male name Patrick.