The Madden Family History

What Does the Madden Surname Mean? Historical Origins Explained

The surname Madden is of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic word ‘madadh,’ which translates to “dog.” Variants of the surname include Meadon, Maldigan, Madudhan, Madagane, O’Maddane, and Madine. In England, the Madden surname is present throughout the entire country, extending into parts of Wales, with the highest concentrations observed in Lancashire, Yorkshire, Durham, and the city of London. In Scotland, the name is predominantly found in the counties of Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire, and Fife. In the United States, the Madden surname first emerged in states such as Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Wisconsin, Ohio, and Illinois. Notable individuals bearing the surname include David Madden, an accomplished novelist; John Philip Madden, a distinguished director in television, film, and theater from England; Richard Robert Madden, an esteemed Irish historian; Steve Madden, the renowned shoe designer and founder of Steve Madden Ltd.; Justin Madden, a professional footballer from Australia; Thomas “Bunny” Madden, a professional baseball player; and Bill Madden, a sports columnist for the New York Daily News.