Surname Maddux - Meaning and Origin
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Maddux: What does the surname Maddux mean?
The surname Maddux is of Welsh origin, derived from the personal name "Madoc." This name translates to "fortunate" or "good" in English and was a popular name in ancient Wales. During the Middle Ages, the English added the suffix "-s", to denote "son of," transforming "Madoc" into "Maddox." Over time, some surname bearers shifted the spelling from "Maddox" to "Maddux." It is important to note that surnames often changed spellings over centuries due to a variety of factors, including immigration and phonetic translation. The Maddux surname is most prevalent in the United States, according to Forebears, particularly within the southern regions. The most notable person with this last name is probably Greg Maddux, an American former professional baseball player.
Order DNA origin analysisMaddux: Where does the name Maddux come from?
The surname Maddux is of Welsh origin. It is derived from the Welsh personal name Madoc, which means 'fortunate' or 'good'. This name is said to have been borne by a legendary Welsh prince who allegedly discovered America. The name Maddux comes from the patronymic naming tradition, where a father's name was used to identify his children. The name signifies 'son of Madoc'.
Over time, the name Maddux, along with its various spellings such as Maddocks, Maddick, Maddix, and others, spread to other countries due to migration. Today, the surname is found throughout the English-speaking world, although it is particularly common in the United States. The highest concentrations of people with the Maddux surname are found in the states of Utah, Nevada, Georgia, Indiana, and Arkansas. In terms of non-English speaking countries, the surname is relatively rare.
Variations of the surname Maddux
The surname Maddux has several variant spellings that have evolved over time, and the same origin is suspected to be Welsh. The prominent spelling variations for the name Maddux include Maddox, Maddix, Maddocks, Madocks, Maddock, Madox, and Mattock.
Maddox is the most common variant, with the "x" at the end of the name giving it a unique touch. This is often mistakenly assumed to be a patronymic surname with the "x" perceived as a variation of the Gaelic 'Mac' or 'Mc' meaning "son of", but Maddox actually comes from the Welsh matronymic "Madog," which means "fortunate" or "good luck."
Maddix and Maddocks are other frequent variations, with the double 'd' and 's' or 'x' at the end differentiating it from the original Welsh "Madog". Madocks, Maddock, and Madox are other variations found, mostly in the United Kingdom.
Mattock is another variant that differs more widely from the original spelling, yet it shares a similar Welsh origin. Variations of a surname, including Maddux, often occurred when scribes recorded names phonetically, leading to different spellings according to the writer's interpretation of how the name was pronounced.
Famous people with the name Maddux
- Greg Maddux: Former professional baseball player who played for the Chicago Cubs, Atlanta Braves, Los Angeles Dodgers, and San Diego Padres. He won four consecutive Cy Young Awards and was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.
- Mike Maddux: Former professional baseball player who also served as a pitching coach for the Milwaukee Brewers, Texas Rangers, Washington Nationals, and Philadelphia Phillies.
- Chuck Maddux: Professional boxer who competed from 1982 to 1991.
- Mike Maddux: Retired NASCAR driver who competed from 1987 to 1999.
- Brad Maddux: Former professional baseball player with the Chicago Cubs and Houston Astros.
- Amanda Maddux: Professional figure skater and Dancing with the Stars contestant.
- Bart Maddux: Former professional baseball player who competed in Major League Baseball from 1981 to 1988.
- Randy Maddux: Former professional baseball player who played for the San Diego Padres, Florida Marlins, and Kansas City Royals.
- Heather Maddux: Professional dancer and head of the Heather Maddux Dance Company.
- Ryan Maddux: Former professional baseball player who played for the San Diego Padres, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, and the Tampa Bay Rays.