|
 Ossory an ancient kingdom of Ireland that
won for itself a semi-independent position as a state within the kingdom
of Leinster, probably in the 1st century AD. In the 9th century it was
ruled by an able king, Cerball, who allied himself with the Norse
invaders and figured in later centuries as an ancestor of some important
families in Iceland. When surnames were introduced, the dynasts
descended from him in Ireland were known as Mac Gillápadraig, a name
transformed under Norman influence into Fitzpatrick. In the 11th
century they contended for the kingship of Leinster but were soon
overwhelmed by the south Leinster family of MacMurrough.
Legend records that the Fitzpatrick clan
descended from Milesius, King of Spain. Milesius planned to go to
Ireland, but died before he could make it. Scota, wife of
Milesius, and their three sons did make it Ireland. Eireamhon, son
of Miesius and Scota, is thought to be the ancestor for the Fitzpatrick
family. See more history of the name here.
|
|
