Surname Madden - Meaning and Origin

Vikings to Madigans: A Journey of Self-Discovery through iGENEA DNA Testing

The DNA testing at iGENEA has been a landmark event, completely revolutionizing the way I perceive my heritage and identity. The revelation of unexpected roots has led me on a journey of self-discovery and knowledge about my ancestral lineage, specifically the Madden clan.

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Madden: What does the surname Madden mean?

Madden is an Irish surname, derived from the Gaelic name “O’Madain” which means “descendant of Madain”. The name Madain itself is derived from the word "madadh" which means dog. Thus, this surname may suggest someone who is brave, loyal or heroic - qualities often associated with a dog. Although the name's origins are from Ireland, it has spread globally due to emigration and is now common in many English-speaking countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia and the United Kingdom. Some notable people with this last name include the NFL Coach and broadcaster John Madden, and musicians Benji and Joel Madden of the band Good Charlotte. The name Madden is also associated with a famous video game franchise "Madden NFL" named after John Madden. Despite its various associations in modern culture, the surname Madden carries with it a rich Gaelic history and indicates Irish lineage.

Madden: Where does the name Madden come from?

The last name Madden is of Irish origin, deriving from the Gaelic name "Mac an Mhadaidh," which translates to "son of the hound or warrior." The Madden name is strongly associated with County Galway in Ireland, particularly East Galway where their forebears were lords of Síol Anmchadha, a territory in the Middle Ages.

The Madden surname saw a spread primarily to countries such as the United States, Australia, and England due to the large Irish diaspora caused by the Irish famine in the mid-19th century. Today, it is most common in the United States due to this migration, but it is still prevalent in Ireland. Notable people with the name include American football analyst John Madden and fashion designer Steve Madden.

The Madden name is also present to a lesser extent in other regions such as Canada, New Zealand, and South Africa, reflecting patterns of Irish immigration over time. Little clusters of Madden families can also be found in Scotland and Wales and in English counties along the west coast neighboring Wales.

Variations of the surname Madden

The surname Madden primarily originated from Ireland (Gaelic form: Ó Madáin), meaning 'descendant of Madán'. The name Madán in turn derives from 'madadh', which means 'dog'. Madden has been variably spelled throughout history, catering to phonetic pronunciations and regional dialects. The variants and spellings include:

1. Maddon

2. Maddy

3. Maddan

4. Maden

5. Madin

6. Madon

7. Mading

8. Madyn

9. Madain

10. Matten

11. Maiten

12. Maitin.

Some people with surnames of the same origin may use different names altogether, usually Anglicized versions or translations of the original Gaelic. One of this is 'Maddox', a Welsh surname that also means 'son of Madoc' (Madoc also derives from 'madadh'.)

There is also the Gaelic clan name MacPhaidin, which translates to 'son of Paidin', and is often Anglicized to both 'Pattison' and 'Madden'.

Due to emigration, Madden and its variants can also be found in Scotland, England, Australia, Canada and the United States. It's family crest and coat of arms has also been a subject of interest for many Madden lineage trackers.

Famous people with the name Madden

• John Madden: An American former football coach and sportscaster, famously associated with the NFL video game series that bears his name.
• Steve Madden: A renowned American fashion designer and businessman, best known for founding the popular shoe company, Steve Madden Ltd.
• Benji Madden: An American musician, vocalist, songwriter, and producer, most notably from the band Good Charlotte, which he co-founded with his twin brother Joel.
• Joel Madden: Twin brother of Benji Madden, also an integral part of the band Good Charlotte. He is additionally known for being a coach on the Australian version of "The Voice".
• Richard Madden: A prominent Scottish actor known for his role as Robb Stark in the television series "Game of Thrones", and in the movie "Cinderella" as Prince Charming.
• Dave Madden: An American-Canadian actor, best known for his role as Reuben Kincaid on the hit 1970s television show, "The Partridge Family".
• Owen Madden: An Irish-American gangster and prohibition-era bootlegger known as "Owney the Killer".
• Mark Madden: An U.S. sports radio and journalism personality.
• Devenish-Madden: A British Barrister.
• Cameron Madden: An English footballer.

Other surnames

MaddeauxMadderMaddex