Tracing Ancestry Origins

In December of 2025 my curiosity about our connection to Lord Edward FitzGerald led me to finally explore further ancestry connections. (Original blog link here)

Following the trail of the FitzGerald dynasty (Link here FitzGerald Dynasty.... and here FitzGerald's) and its Norman origins, I was surprised to find a connection with the Medieval Welsh House of Gwynedd (Link here.... House of Gwynedd - also known as the House of Aberffraw).

FitzGerald Line

Lord Edward FitzGerald (1763-1798)

James FitzGerald (1st Duke of Leinster / 1722-1773)

Robert FitzGerald (19th Earl of Kildare / 1675-1743)

Robert FitzGerald (1637-1698)

George FitzGerald (16th Earl of Kildare / 1612-1660)

Thomas FitzGerald (died 1619)

Gerald FitzGerald (9th Earl of Kildare / 1487-1534)

Gerald FitzGerald (8th Earl of Kildare / 1456-1513)

Thomas FitzGerald (7th Earl of Kildare /1421-1477)

John Fitzmaurice FitzGerald (6th Earl of Kildare / died 1427, married his kinswoman Lady Joan, Daughter of James FitzGerald 6th Earl of Desmond)

Line Change: Progenitor through the female line of Lady Joan (Daughter of James FitzGerald, the 6th Earl of Desmond) to:

Gerald FitzGerald (3rd Earl of Desmond / 1335-1398)

Maurice FitzGerald (1st Earl of Desmond / died 1356)

Thomas FitzMaurice FitzGerald (2nd Baron of Desmond / died 1298)

Maurice FitzJohn FitzGerald (died 1261 with his father at the battle of Callann)

John FitzThomas FitzGerald (1st Baron Desmond / died 1261)

Thomas FitzMaurice FitzGerald (Lord O'Conello / 1145-1213)

Maurice FitzGerald (Lord of Lanstephan & Lord of Maynooth / 1105-1176)

Gerald Fitzwalter (De Windsor) who married Princess Nest Ferch Rhys (Link here ... Princess Nest Ferch Rhys - Helen of Wales)

Line Change: Progenitor through the female line of Princess Nest Ferch Rhys (Princess Nest Ferch Rhys - 1085-1136, Link here...House of Gwynedd)

Princess Nests father was Rhys ap Tewdwr, Welsh King of Deheubarth member of the Dinefwr dynasty leading back through many generations to Cunneda Gwynedd (also known as Cunneda ap Edern and Cunneda Wledig), Grandfather of Gwawl verch Cole (daughter of King Cole Hen - Old King Cole), sister of Saint Helena who was mother of Constantine the Great, according to medieval legend.

Interestingly, the line can be traced back from Cunneda to Beli Mawr (120-80 b.c), who is listed in certain medieval genealogies as the son or husband of Anna, cousin of Mary, mother of Jesus.