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[Facts] Last Name Meaning
Looking for the meaning of the last name 'Madden'. If someone could help I'd appreciate it.
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The surname "Madden" is anglicized from the Irish-Gaelic "Ó Madadháin," but this is modernly shortened to just "Ó Madáin" (because the 'dh' is silent).The root is the Gaelic word 'mada' meaning 'dog,' with the common diminutive suffix '-án' added.This name has always been especially prominent in east Galway, even now, as they were once lords of that territory.
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MADDEN (British). "Descendant of Dog" (Irish).
It also says it's "taken -- or based on -- the first name of the ancestor's father"This site is wonderful for finding surnames: http://www.familychronicle.com/surname.htm
=D
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