FitzRoy (or Fitzroy) is an Anglo-Norman name that means “son of the king.” Several English monarchs gave it as a surname to their illegitimate children. Henry VIII’s only acknowledged illegitimate child — his son with Bessie Blount — was named Henry FitzRoy.
As I’ve said before, I named Henry the dog after Henry VIII because they are/were both portly, red-haired gluttons with peevish expressions.
Now I’ve got another stocky, grumpy-looking redhead. Obviously, I had to name him FitzRoy (or Fitzroy. I haven’t decided on the capitalization yet.).
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FitzRoy is not amused.
I used the breeder’s photo of seven-month-old FitzRoy (né Clancy) as an illustration of the Exotic Shorthair breed in this recent post. I didn’t want to say that that he was the cat I was considering in case it didn’t work out! I went to Syracuse today to interview him. He passed and now he’s back home in Manhattan with me and MrB. He hasn’t been introduced to the dogs yet, but he’s already helping me blog.
UPDATED 4/24/12 TO ADD: Gorgeous blogger Jennine of The Coveted took this Instagram photo of FitzRoy.
Follow FitzRoy on Twitter at @FitzRoyBrandes.
I can’t believe you got a cat! That is superb! Hail to the king’s bastard!
How adorable. He’s like the fraternal twin of Henry!
Sooo cute. I adore his little disapproving face and round ears. Requiring more photos asap.
Oh FitzRoy…. you grumpy, smooshy face, arrogant, fabulous cat you! xoxo
He is aborbs. Love a redhead! Also Fitzroy is an Melbourne suburb that I love and have always wanted to live there. Am thinking of moving there now that things have turned to shit in Northcote 🙁
YAH! how cute!! Sorry cute is for pussies & Fitzroy is a king amongst cool cats xx
I think Henry has been out-grumped! He is beautiful – and that’s a great moniker!
Welcome Fitzroy! Strangely, I know three things about fellow Fitzroys:
Professor Felix Fitzroy is a prominent environmental economist in St Andrews
There was a famous explorer named Fitzroy who has:
a barometer named after him – we have one in St Andrews
and a mountain in Patagonia
I’m sure Fitzroy the cat will also pursue such scholarly and adventuresome delights with Wendy!
Omigod! He always looks so grumpy and unhappy; I always want to ask if you’re mistreating him. LOL
AWWW. What a snooty so and so. You are but a minion to those two.
Wow, if you just needed a stocky redhead you could have adopted me. To keep my peevish expression going, just force me to watch Fox news in the morning.
Forgot to add that FitzRoy is so cute. I’m beginning to like a peevish expression on an animal too. All that squishy goodness and he looks like he’s plotting murder!
I’m deadly allergic to cats so I can’t have one, unless I get a huge supply of adrenalin and a on call personal ambulance.
YAY! I’m following FitzRoy. Congrats, Wendy! PS: Loved your last post on the engagement ring redesign. I always learn so much from those posts.
omg! that’s what cats like to do! help blogging!
🙂
anyway, i love that you have a cat in the mix!
Cute cat!
He will great everything with cat disdain and unamusement. Plus he is an orange kitty and orange kitties are special (in a good way not derpy way.
Hello Mr. Fitzroy! I’m following your witty tweets on twitter now :).
Aw, he’s gorgeous! I love his smushed-in face. 🙂
Aw look at the fab smushy face! Good luck with the new fur baby! When missing my old Jezebel gets to be too much will you hire him out? (; XXX Suzanne
All hail the new overlord! What wonderful, grumpy-looking ginger!! My favorite kind. Congratulations, Ms. Wendy, on the new addition to your family.
So excited for you and your fabulous adventures with the little prince!
Had to follow FitzRoy on twitter. This beautiful addition to your family is sure to have a sense of humor.
My cat always wants attention when I am working on the computer…she likes to lay behind the screen..close to the laptop!! Your picture reminded me of this…great face on your cat!
FitzRoy is hilarious! His grumpy face makes everything funnier!
That’s one very wise face. Look forward to more pics!
he is the cutest little guy ever. 🙂
Can’t wait to meet him!
FitzRoy is a perfect moniker for such a handsome and noble looking cat. I hope he knows how lucky he is to be a Brandes!
Wendy, that cat needs his own Tumblr blog, seriously. He could be right up there with Waffles the Corgisaur 🙂
It’s coming!
He’s adorable. I like smushy face cats.