This is a reply within a larger thread: view the whole thread

Re: Surname: Fitzmayer
I think the Irish look of Fitz is misleading. Fitzmayer and Phitzmayer are probably versions of the German name Pfitzmayer after a manhandling by English speakers. Now, does anybody know what Pfitz means?
vote up1vote down

Replies

I agree. The PHITZ-part made me suspicious, too. PHITZ- I haven't seen in German names, but as you say, there is PFITZ- like in PFITZ(N)ER. This is from PFÜTZNER (with a U umlaut), originally somebody living by a "Pfütze" (puddle, pool).
Bow the combination with Mayer may be coincidential, but it does make sense: "farmer by the pool".

Andy ;—)
vote up1vote down