Clan Fitzpatrick Mac Giolla Phádraig
Fáilte! Welcome to the Fitzpatrick Home on the Internet. We are the descendants of generations of Fitzpatricks who have joined together to celebrate the name Fitzpatrick and all its variations. Our Clan Society connects Fitzpatricks everywhere and promotes our rich and fascinating history, heritage, culture, and traditions with others around the world.
Septs & Variant Surnames
Our community embraces all forms of the surname and includes: Fitzpatrick, FitzPatrick, Fitz-Patrick, Fitzpatric, Fitz, Fitch, Fitchpatrick, Phitzpatrick, Mac Giolla Phádraig, Mac Gilla Pátraic, Mac Gillapatrick, McGillpatrick, Gillpatrick, Gilpatrick, Gilpatric, McKilpatrick, Kilpatrick, KillPatrick, Kirkpatrick, McIlpatrick, McIlfatrick, McIlfatherick, McElfatrick, Mac Phádraig, Mc Patrick, Phádraig, Patrick, Patchy, Parrican, Parogan, Ó Maol Phádraig, O'Mulpatrick, Mulpatrick, Mac Seaffraidh, Mac Séartha, McShera, McSherry, Sherry, O'Shaerha, Shera, Ostigan, Mac Ostigan, McOstigan, Costigan, Ó Donnchadha, Dunphy, Criffin, Stapleton, and others.
About the Clan Society
The Fitzpatrick – Mac Giolla Phádraig Clan Society was founded in Ireland in 1993 by Ronan Fitzpatrick, Ph.D., to bring together greater understanding of the Fitzpatrick nation. By 1998, researchers from the US and UK had made contact, and so began a far-reaching inclusion of Fitzpatricks from all over the world. Those early researchers have been the motivators and drivers for our growth as they freely share a rich knowledge of Fitzpatrick life, history, genealogy, and DNA analysis for the benefit of all. They were also joined by Fitzpatricks who still live on and tend the fields of their ancestors in their ancient kingdom of Ossory. We are continuously joined by Fitzpatricks searching for their own origins. Our community has steadily grown to include people in Ireland, the United Kingdom, the United States, France, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Japan, the Netherlands, and around the world. Our community is international, diverse, and all-inclusive; providing a dynamic mix of people and is a rich resource for all Fitzpatrick genealogy researchers. This has been our home on the internet for many years, and we communicate through a free, private mailing list, and through social media.
Since the year 2000, we have organised Fitzpatrick International Clan Gatherings, which are two-day events in Ireland where members gather to discuss their research, share experiences, visit the ancient sites of their Fitzpatrick ancestors, find new inspiration, and tell stories in the Irish tradition of the seanchaí. The Society has now held seven successful International Gatherings in Ireland: meeting in Portlaoise in 2000, 2002, 2004, and 2018; and in Kilkenny city in 2007, 2010, and 2013. All have included lecture series on Fitzpatrick genealogy and history, tours of significant Fitzpatrick ruins and heritage sites, and a Gathering Banquet for attendees. These weekend events are enriching experiences for reconnecting with your ancestral homeland in Ireland, and have been a wonderful opportunity to meet with Fitzpatricks from around the world. We have successfully held similar Regional Gatherings and local events in the US in Albany, NY and Savannah, GA in 2018 and 2019.
Following the 2000 Gathering, the Fitzpatrick - Mac Giolla Phádraig Clan Society initiated a y-DNA study, initially led by world-renowned forensic genealogist Dr. Colleen Fitzpatrick. This y-DNA study is one of the older and larger Irish surname studies to date. All are welcome to participate in this ongoing project if they can find a Fitzpatrick male in their family willing to submit a sample. Our understanding of the different Fitzpatrick lineages has grown, and participants receive regular updates on the study, gain a better understanding of where in Ireland their Fitzpatrick ancestors originated, and sometimes find lost relatives.
Our historical researchers have sourced old manuscript sources which document who we are. Our genealogical researchers have rigorously identified descendants of Upper Ossory and other Fitzpatrick lineages and created family trees that will be the manuscript sources of the future. Our DNA analysts have helped some of us to identify common ancestors in our past and will contribute to the understanding of the Irish genetic profile in the future. This knowledge is all freely shared within our community.
Wherever you are, if you have a Fitzpatrick or any variation of the name in your genealogical history, you are one of us. If you don’t know who you are but are searching, you are one of us. If you are a researcher with an interest in all things Fitzpatrick, you are one of us. And, most importantly, if you are the mother of a Fitzpatrick, you are a very special one of us. Whatever your interest, you are very welcome. We invite you to explore these pages about this illustrious Clan, and join us in the efforts of our Society.