MADDEN
Madden is a surname of Gaelic origin, deriving from the Irish patronymic Ó Madáin, meaning “descendant of Madán.” The personal name Madán itself is rooted in the Old Irish word mad, which translates as “dog.” This etymology reflects the traditional association of the name with the hound, a creature celebrated in Gaelic heraldry for its speed, endurance and loyalty.
The earliest recorded form of the name appears as Dermot O'Madadhain, dated to approximately 1100 ad. He was chief of the Ui Maine in Connacht during the reign of King Henry I of England, a period that spanned 1100–1135. Over the centuries the surname acquired a range of spellings, including Madain, Madden, Maddin, Madigan and MacAvaddy, all of which are recognised as variants of the same lineage.
Historically the Madden family is most strongly associated with County Galway, where lands on the River Shannon were once held in quantities of over 25 000 acres. A prominent branch of the clan also settled in the Clare‑Limerick region, with further branches appearing in the counties of Antrim and Derry in Ulster. The concentration of name‑holders in these areas remains significant to this day.
During the mid‑nineteenth century the Irish Potato Famine prompted a mass exodus of many Madden families. Notably, a Mr Walter Madden, his wife Mary and their children Richard, aged five, and Alice, a baby, sailed aboard the ship Junius from Galway bound for New York on 1 May 1846. Other emigrants bearing the surname settled in both America and England, thereby spreading the name across the Atlantic.
A scion of the family, Richard Madden (1798–1886), was noted for his authorship of the political treatise The United Irishman. His work remains a reference point for scholars studying nineteenth‑century Irish political thought.
Today the surname Madden persists in Ireland, particularly within the regions historically linked to the clan, and is also common among descendants who emigrated during the famine and subsequent periods. Its survival and continued use attest to the enduring legacy of this Gaelic family name.
Typical given names associated with the Madden surname
Male
- Anthony
- Christopher
- David
- James
- John
- Michael
- Paul
- Peter
- Stephen
- Thomas
Female
- Catherine
- Elizabeth
- Emma
- Helen
- Jane
- Margaret
- Mary
- Michelle
- Patricia
- Sarah
- Susan
Similar and related surnames
- Madan
- Maddan
- Madde
- Maddens
- Maddew
- Maddin
- Maddon
- Maddren
- Maddu
- Maden
- Madene
- Madens
- Madeu
- Madew
- Madin
- Madine
- Madoe
- Madon
- Madouni
- Maduna
- Maideen
- Maiden
- Maidens
- Maidon
- Matin
- Mattin
- Mauden
- Mawden
- Mayden
- Maydens
- Maydon
- Meaden
- Meadon
- Meadons
- Meadown
- Meaton
- Medden
- Meddens
- Meddon
- Meden
- Medens
- Medina
- Medon
- Meeden
- Mewton
- Midden
- Modden
- Motton
- Mudden
- Mutton
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.
How to communicate the surname Madden in...
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Did you know?
According to a survey carried out by Democracy Club, politicians and candidates with the surname Madden are most likely to say that their favourite biscuit is a Rich Tea.
There are approximately 9,508 people named Madden in the UK. That makes it the 978th most common surname in Britain. Around 146 in a million people in Britain are named Madden.
Surname type: Location or geographical feature
Origin: English
Region of origin: British Isles
Country of origin: England
Religion of origin: Christian
Language of origin: English
Famous people named Madden
- Richard Madden - Scottish actor
- Benji Madden - American musician
- John Madden - Film director
- John Madden - American football player and coach
- Joel Madden - American musician
- Owney Madden - Mobster (1891 to 1965)
- Bobby Madden - Scottish football referee
- Ciaran Madden - Actress
- Sir Charles Madden, 1st Baronet - Royal Navy admiral of the fleet (1862 to 1935)
- Paul Madden - Diplomat
- Deirdre Madden - Irish writer
- Max Madden - Politician
- David Madden - Football player
- Craig Madden - Football player and manager
- Peter Madden - Football player and manager
- Lawrie Madden - Football player
- Owen Madden - Irish football player (1916 to 1991)
- Martyn Madden - Welsh rugby union player
- Martin B. Madden - American politician (1855 to 1928)
- Frederic Madden - Palaeographer (1801 to 1873)
Names and descriptions courtesy of Wikipedia, and may contain errors. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of every famous person with this name.