Surname Madeline - Meaning and Origin

Madeline: What does the surname Madeline mean?

The last name Madeline is of French origin, with a literal translation of "lady of Magdala," the ancient town in Galilee on the Sea of Galilee. The name is derived from Latin and Old French sources, with the meaning "high tower." The name was popularized in France during the 12th Century, when the cult of Mary Magdalene flourished. It is believed the saint's devotion to Jesus inspired parents to give their daughters the name Madeline.

Madeline is commonly used as a given name, but is also used as a surname, typically in French-speaking countries such as France, Canada, and parts of the United States. The name has a long history of use in France that dates back centuries. For example, it was the given name of French queen consort Madeline de Valois who ruled alongside her husband, King Francois I.

Madeline also found its way into English-speaking countries during the 19th century and has continued to be used throughout modern times. The name reflects a quiet dignity and carries strong religious connections, as it symbolizes devotion to Jesus Christ and is rooted in the life of Mary Magdalene. As a name, Madeline is often considered to be a classic and timeless choice.

Madeline: Where does the name Madeline come from?

The last name Madeline is most commonly found in the United States today. According to United States Census data from 2018, there were over 7,000 people living in the US with the last name Madeline. The greatest concentrations of people with this surname can be found in the northeast and midwest, with the most people living in New York, New Jersey, and Wisconsin.

The roots of the surname go back to France, where it was derived from the name Madeleine, which is a French variation of the Hebrew name Magdalene. The first records of the surname in America date back to the late 18th century, when a number of French settlers with the name Madeline settled in Louisiana and other parts of the southern United States. Since then the name has spread and become more common in other parts of the country, particularly in the northeast and midwest.

Given the French origin of the name, it is likely that many people with the last name Madeline have French ancestry. Some may be descended from one of the original French settlers to the United States, while others may have adopted the name later. However, it is likely that anyone with the surname Madeline today shares a common ancestor many generations ago.

Variations of the surname Madeline

The surname Madeline is a French name that derives from the Latin Magdalen, which comes from a form of the Hebrew name Magdolena. Variant spellings associated with the Madeline surname include Madalene, Madelin, Madalyn, Madelaine, Madelon, Madelayne, Madeleine, Maddalena, Madelene, and Madelyn.

In other languages, the Madeline surname is sometimes spelled differently. For instance, in Spanish, Madeline is spelled Madalena or Magdalena. In Italian, the name can be seen as Maddalena or Magdalena. In German, the spelling is Magdalene, and in Dutch, the spelling is Madelein or Magdalein.

Variants of the Madeline surname include Madeline, Madelaine, Madelon, Madelayne, Madalene, Madelin, Madalyn, Madeleine, Maddalena, Madelene, and Madelyn. Another surname derived from the same origin as Madeline is Magdalene.

Surnames associated with Madeline include the alternate spellings mentioned previously, as well as similar surnames such as Magdalen, Madrid, Madrigal, and Mader. Magdalen is an English surname derived from the same origin, while Madrid is a Spanish surname with a meaning of "my land." Madrigal is a Spanish diminutive form of the Latin name Magdalena, and Mader is an Americanized version of the French surname Madeleine.

Surnames of a similar origin to the Madeline surname include Magdaleno, Magdanz, Madlener, Madlener, and Madsen. Magdaleno and Madsen are German surnames, Madlener and Magdanz are Dutch surnames, and Madlener is a Swiss surname.

Overall, the Madeline surname has various variants, spellings, and associated surnames from a variety of different countries and languages. Many of these variants and similar surnames are derived from the same Latin and Hebrew roots as the Madeline surname.

Famous people with the name Madeline

• Madeline Kahn: Comic actress and singer, best known for her humorous character depictions everywhere from Saturday Night Live to Blazing Saddles.
• Madeline Albright: First female US Secretary of State and creator of the Institute for the Study of Diplomacy.
• Madeline Zima: Actress, best known for her roles in the films The House of Yes and California Dreams.
• Madeline Carroll: Actress, most well-known for her roles in films such as Flipped and Spy Kids.
• Madeline Brewer: Actress, best known for her role as Tricia Miller in Netflix's hit dystopian drama, Orange is the New Black.
• Madeline Merlo: Country singer-songwriter, singer of such popular songs as 'Motel Flamingo' and 'Neon Love'.
• Madeline Petch: British actress, best known for her role in the TV comedy musician sitcom The Inbetweeners.
• Madeline Amgott: American actress, best known for her roles in the films Valley of the Dolls and Hang 'Em High.
• Madeline Stowe: American actress, most recognizable for her roles in films such as The Last of the Mohicans and Twelve Monkeys.
• Madeline Brewer Smith: American singer, most well-known for her single 'Pure Imagination'.

Other surnames

Madelin