Surname Madigan - Meaning and Origin
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Exploring Connections: My DNA Journey and the Madigan Legacy with iGENEA
My DNA journey with iGENEA has made me realize the profound connections we share with our ancestors and global family. From the revelation of my geographical ancestry to the discovery of extended genetic relatives, the experience has broadened my understanding of family and elicits even greater pride in my Madigan surname.
O. Madigan
read moreMadigan: What does the surname Madigan mean?
The surname Madigan is of Irish origin, deriving from the Gaelic name "O’Madagain." This name means 'descendant of Madagan', with Madagan itself meaning 'little dog" or "little hound". The prefix “O” indicates "grandson" or "descendant of," so essentially, the surname Madigan means "descendant of the little hound". It is believed to have originated in County Galway and County Clare, located in the Western part of Ireland. This last name is prevalent among individuals of Irish descent worldwide due to the Irish diaspora. Notably, like many other Irish surnames, over time the prefix “O” was dropped, especially after the 17th century, largely due to English suppression of Irish culture, resulting in the modern form of the name "Madigan". Today, there are many variants of this surname, including Mac Adhagain, Madagan, Madeggin, Madigan and Madeghan to name a few. Despite its variant spellings, the core meaning remains tied to its Gaelic origins.
Order DNA origin analysisMadigan: Where does the name Madigan come from?
The surname Madigan is of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic name "Ó Madaidhín", meaning descendant of Madadhán. Madadhán is a personal name composed of "madadh," meaning dog, and a diminutive suffix "-án," essentially meaning "little dog" or "dog-like." This name originated in the region of County Clare and Limerick in Ireland.
Despite its Irish origins, the gradual emigration of Irish people over centuries, especially during and after the Great Famine in the mid-nineteenth century, has led to the distribution of this name beyond Ireland. Consequently, while the surname Madigan can still be found in Ireland today, a significant number of people with this surname also reside in other English-speaking countries, particularly in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. As such, the surname Madigan is primarily common in these nations today. However, even in these countries, it is not an extremely common surname.
Variations of the surname Madigan
Madigan is an Irish surname that has evolved over time, resulting in a variety of spellings and associated surnames. Some of the popular variant spellings include Maddigan, Madegan and Maddigane. Similarly pronounced surnames with similar origins include Madgen, Madagain, Modigan, and Madikin.
The original Gaelic form of the name was O Madagain, from the word "madadh," meaning 'dog.' Therefore, even MacFhaidhgin and Madadhain could be related forms of the surname Madigan, as these names also have origins in the word 'dog.'
Family names can be influenced by regional dialects and phonetic spelling, hence, different branches of the same family might have different spellings of their surname. Some Madigans who immigrated to English-speaking countries might have modified their name upon arrival, hence creating more variants like Maddygan or Maddigan.
Also, there are theories that surnames like Madden, which also originate from a Gaelic word for 'dog,' could be linked to the Madigan lineage. However, the direct correlations between these surnames are not conclusively established and can vary greatly based on different genealogical researches.
To sum up, the Madigan surname and its variants are a great example of the complexities of surname origins, evolvements, mutations and regional influences in Ireland.
Famous people with the name Madigan
- Martin Madigan: Irish former hurler, manager, former TD and councillor in county Longford, Ireland
- Barry Madigan: retired Australian rules footballer
- Michael Madigan: Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives
- Tim Madigan: American journalist and writer
- Máiréad Madigan: Irish politician, former Tánaiste of Ireland
- Peter Madigan: Australian former politician
- Brendan Madigan: Irish former footballer
- Dave Madigan: American former college ice hockey coach
- James Madigan: Canadian professional ice hockey player
- Bridget Madigan: Spanish-born Mexican actress
- Pat Madigan: Irish-born American jockey and horse trainer
- siblings Tom and Pat Madigan: Canadian radio and television broadcasters
- Steve Madigan: British composer, producer, and multi-instrumentalist
- Bree Madigan: Australian musical theatre performer
- Ryan Madigan: American former NFL football player
- Patrick Madigan: American Jesuit priest, professor, and author