[1] The surname was first found in the counties of Limerick and Mayo, in which two distinct families arose shortly after the Norman invasion of Ireland during the 12th century.
"[3] Most of those with the surname hail from Mayo and are a branch of the great Burke family, which played a prominent role in the Norman invasion.
They were originally known as "MacGibbon Burke"[4] or "Mac Giobúin, son of Gilbert" (de Burgh).
They were knights descended from the Irish baron John FitzThomas (FitzGerald), ancestor of The Earls of Desmond and grandson of the Norman baron Maurice FitzGerald, Lord of Llanstephan.
[5] The second branch of the FitzGerald family came to be known as "FitzGibbon" and were given the title of the White Knight, holding territory in southeast Limerick, near County Cork.