Fitz

(fits.) (Supposed from L. filius, a son.] A son:used as a prefix in certain compound proper names, like the Irish O', and the Scottish Mac, or Mc; in England, it is esteemed a distinguishing mark of illegitimate descent from the blood-royal; as, Fitzroy, son of the king; Fitzgeorge, . Fitzgerald, LORD EDWARD, (fitszer'ld,) an Irish revolutionist, B. 1763, was a son of the Duke of Leinster. After a brief service in the British army during the American war, he entered the Irish House of Commons in 1784, where he joined the party in opposition. In 1791-2 he visited France, fraternized with the leading RepubliP cans, and married the reputed daughter of the Duc d'Orleans and Mad.de Genlis. In 1796 he joined the " Society of United Irish men," became its agent in France, and promoted the insurrection of1798. Arrested on a charge of high treason, he D. in prison, 1798. [s. 367]