Surname Madge - Meaning and Origin

Madge: What does the surname Madge mean?

The last name Madge is of English origin and is believed to be derived from the medieval female given name, made popular by St. Margaret of Antioch in the Middle Ages. The name Madge was a pet form of Margaret, and over time developed into a surname. The exact meaning of the name Margaret is "pearl" or "cluster of blossoms". It’s also important to note that, like many surnames, the exact origins and meaning can be somewhat uncertain due to the changes and migrations of families over centuries. Surnames often represent an occupation, a place, a characteristic, or a parent's name. Although Madge might have different variations and meanings in other cultures, the above explanation pertains to its English roots.

Madge: Where does the name Madge come from?

The surname Madge is of English origin. It is a pet form of the female given name Margaret, derived from the Middle English name “Maudge” or “Marge”. It is originally a metronymic surname, meaning it originated from a mother’s given name rather than the more traditional patronymic surnames that come from a father's name. The surname Madge could have been used to differentiate families in a situation where the father was either anonymous or absent.

As per its distribution today, the surname is quite rare and is not especially common in any specific region. However, as per the available data, it can be found with a higher incidence in England, particularly in South West England, and also in Wales. Outside the United Kingdom, it appears sporadically in countries such as the United States and Australia. Like many British surnames, its global distribution is likely related to patterns of historical migration from the British Isles. There are also notable people with this surname, such as the English cricket player George Madge.

Variations of the surname Madge

The surname Madge has several variants and similar spellings, which often evolved due to different regional dialects and the phonetic spelling of names. Some of these variants include Madg, Madges, Madgson, Madege, Maddge, and Madj. More distant variants may include Mudge, Madgett, Madewell, and Madigan.

The surname Madge is believed to be of English origin and is also related to the given name Margaret, through its medieval diminutive form "Madge". Therefore, variations and surnames stemming from Margaret (such as Margison, Margeson, Margerum, Margetts, and Margrett) can also be considered as relevant.

It's also worth noting that names could be anglicized or changed upon immigration to different countries. Therefore, some foreign surnames might be variants of Madge, retaining a phonetic or semantic link despite their adaptations to local language and culture.

As surnames often indicate professional or geographical information about a family, it's possible that these variants could also have connections to place names or occupations. However, without specific archival evidence, it's hard to definitively list every possible version of the surname Madge.

Famous people with the name Madge

• Madge Sinclair: Jamaican actress who starred in Coming to America,The Lion King, and Trapper John, M.D.
• Phil Madge: British physicist who helped to create Webcasting
• Walter Madge: English cricketer known for his work in Test and First-Class Cricket
• Richard Madge: British racing driver who is a champion of British GT
• Millie Madge: Australian composer and singer-songwriter who has released several albums
• Annie Madge: American aviator who was the first woman to make a solo cross-country flight across the United States
• Dick Madge: English footballer who played professionally for several clubs including Luton Town and Southampton
• Thomas Madge: English naturalist who wrote the book The Natural History of Selborne
• James Madge: English artist who was known for his engravings and woodcuts
• John Madge: Australian politician who served as the first Minister for Railways in Victoria
• Geppina Madge: English artist who is known for her landscape and natural history paintings
• Ollie Madge: British short-distance runner and sprinter who competed in the 1924 Olympics
• Francis Madge: British journalist and essayist who wrote for several publications including the Spectator and the New Statesman
• Mae Madge: American novelist who wrote science fiction stories in the 1920s and 30s
• Charles Madge: British poet and co-founder of the Mass Observation movement in 1937

Other surnames

Madg