Surname Madison - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'M'
Madison Surname Unraveled: A Genetic Odyssey Spanning Continents and Cultures
My recent exploration into my ancestry, via the iGENEA DNA test, led me on an enthralling journey of my past. The test reveals that the surname Madison traces back to an ancient northern European origin, concentered around present-day Scandinavia and the British Isles, with migratory roots that navigate through continents and diverse cultures.
C. Madison
read moreMadison: What does the surname Madison mean?
Madison is an English patronymic surname that translates to "son of Maud." It has origins in the Middle Ages, when it was common to identify individuals by their familial relationships. "Maud" was a popular woman's name during this period, taken from the biblical name "Matilda," which means "mighty in battle." Thus, a man named Robert who was the son of a woman named Maud might have been referred to as "Robert Madison." Essentially, the surname Madison denotes lineage showing a direct male descendant of a woman named Maud. Over time, the convention of literal patronymics fell out of favor, but the surnames they inspired remained and are still in use today. Besides, the last name Madison has become well-known due to several famous figures such as President James Madison. Despite its origins as a surname, Madison has also become a popular first name in recent years.
Order DNA origin analysisMadison: Where does the name Madison come from?
The last name Madison originates from English and Welsh roots. It is a patronymic name derived from the given name "Maddison," a variant of Mathieson, meaning "son of Matthew." Matthew comes from the Hebrew "Mattityahu," meaning "gift of Yahweh." In some cases, Madison may also come from the Welsh term 'Madogson,' meaning 'son of Madog,' wherein 'Madog' stands for 'good,' and 'Son' represents 'descendant.'
In the United States, Madison is popular both as a first name and as a surname, primarily due to the influence of James Madison, one of the founding fathers and the 4th president of the country. It is also relatively common in English-speaking countries such as Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom. In the United States, Madison ranks highest in terms of frequency in the Mid-Atlantic states and New England, particularly in New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware.
Variations of the surname Madison
The surname Madison originated from English and Welsh backgrounds, which started as a patronymic name. It derives from the name "Matthew," which results in "Maddy," and when combined with the suffix "son,” results in "Madison." It generally means "son of Maddy" or "son of Matthew".
Different variations and spellings of the name have been used overtime, which include Maddison, Madyson, Maddisson, Madisen, Meddison, Maddyson, Mathieson, and Mattison. Surnames related to Madison also includes variations of "Matthew" or "Maddy". Though there may not be an extensive list for variants of the surname Madison, there may be many people of the same or similar surnames that don't have a direct genealogical tie, as surnames used to be assigned based on trade, locale, or other factors. For example someone named John who is a blacksmith might have been John Smith, so not all Maddisons or Madisons are directly related.
In the United States, the surname Madison was popularized due to James Madison, the fourth President, and is predominantly used as a female given name.
Famous people with the name Madison
- Dwayne Madison: former NFL cornerback
- Steven Madison: American actor
- Julie Madison: DC Comics superheroine
- Mike Madison: Olympic diver
- Benjamin Madison: American political leader and 4th President of the United States
- Jim Madison: American actor and comedian
- Gary Madison: American basketball player
- Mary Madison: Victorian novelist
- Jack Madison: British independent filmmaker
- Thomas Madison: 18th century Irish statesman
- Daniel Madison: professional skateboarder
- Ashley Madison: Canadian actress
- Matt Madison: Major League Baseball pitcher
- Will Madison: hip hop recording artist
- Bill Madison: US Army Colonel
- Barry Madison: Grammy Award-winning country music artist
- John Madison: American Revolutionary War solider
- Kelly Madison: American porn star
- Debra Madison: esteemed linguist
- Samantha Madison: fictional DC Comics superheroine