Map of Ireland showing where the Madden arms are recorded
The Madden arms were recorded in Ireland, c. 1645.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Dublin.
Dublin was the seat of government in Ireland and the place where grants were sought and recorded. Families with business at the castle or the courts settled nearby, and settling there put their arms on record.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
The body that granted and recorded arms in Ireland in this period.
Charles I of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles I of England
1625–1649
Reigning in Ireland when the Madden arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Ireland
The Ulster King of Arms granted coats of arms to individuals who proved their social standing and good character. These symbols were typically inherited by all legitimate descendants of the original holder. If a family branch wanted a unique look, they could apply for a specific change to their design through the office to ensure their identity remained distinct.
Granting authority
The Ulster King of Arms acted as the official body that regulated and issued all coats of arms throughout Ireland.
How they got arms
Families obtained their arms through formal grants issued by the office after proving their eligibility and paying the required fees.
Where arms were recorded
All official grants were recorded in the registers held by the Ulster King of Arms starting from the year 1552.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Ireland.
Origin & History of the Madden Family in Ireland
The surname Madden originates from the Irish Gaelic name Ó Madáin, which translates to descendant of Madán. The name itself is derived from the word madadh, meaning a hound or a dog, a term often used in ancient Ireland to describe a brave warrior. By the year 1645, records confirm that members of the Madden family were well-established in Dublin. During this period, the family was navigating a time of significant political upheaval in Ireland, as the city served as a central hub for trade, administration, and shifting power structures. As the family grew in Dublin, they became part of the urban fabric of the capital, transitioning from their ancient roots in the western provinces to the evolving social landscape of seventeenth-century city life.
Madden Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Madadhán
Derived from the Gaelic word for a dog or a hound.
This name
MaddenA diminutive form signifying a little dog, often used as a term of endearment.
also spelled
Maddan
Madon
Maddyn
Related arms
Ryanrecorded with Madden, same area
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Woulfe, Patrick. Sloinnte Gaedheal is Gall: Irish Names and Surnames. 1923
MacLysaght, Edward. The Surnames of Ireland. 1985
National Archives of Ireland. Civil Survey of the County of Dublin. 1654–1656
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
cross symbolChristian faith and service
falconOne eager and quick in pursuit
duckResourcefulness on land and water
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
cross symbolChristian faith and service
falconOne eager and quick in pursuit
duckResourcefulness on land and water
