Surname Maidlin - Meaning and Origin
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Maidlin: What does the surname Maidlin mean?
The surname Maidlin is a derivative of an Old English personal name ‘Maedi’ or ‘Maeda’, with the addition of ‘-lin’, a medieval diminutive suffix. It is likely to have been given to one who was ‘Maeda’s child’, or ‘son/daughter of Maedi’. It likely originates from either the Old English word ‘maed’ which translates to ‘handmaid’, or perhaps ‘Maeda’, being a female name of Germanic origin, that means ‘Mighty Battlemaid’.
Maidlin is most common in the United Kingdom, especially in Scotland, where it is considered a common name in the Highlands. In Scotland, the name has gone through a centuries-long evolution of spelling, from Madlan, Maydlan, Maidlan, and today, Maidlin.
The earliest record of the surname appears in 1343, where ‘John Madlen’ is listed as a sergeant of arms in Stirling. The name is also mentioned in the charters recording the abbey of Dundrennan in 1511, where ‘John Doe MELDEN’ is listed as a witness. Later records of the surname include John Melden, who is listed in the Poll Tax Assessments of Northumberland in 1641, and many more Maidlins who owned land in Tain, Scotland in the late eighteenth century.
Today, Maidlin still exists as a surname in many parts of the world, but is on the decline in the United Kingdom. It is an interesting name for many, given its mysterious origins and varied but continuous history of use and spelling in the British Isles.
Order DNA origin analysisMaidlin: Where does the name Maidlin come from?
The last name Maidlin is not a very common name today. It is most commonly associated with Scotland, where it was first recorded in the 12th century. It is believed to have been a patronymic name derived from the personal name Male using the diminutive ‘Maid’ or ‘Maiden’ as a suffix. It is possible the name is derived from the Gaelic MacGille Dubhain, meaning the son of the black-haired or dark-complexioned one.
In Scotland, the last name Maidlin can still be found in a few areas such as Glasgow, Fife and the western Highland region. These are areas where the clan system was strong until the 18th century.
It is also possible that the surname was taken by some Irish families during the 16th century Plantations of Ireland, where Scottish Protestant settlers were given large tracts of land in Ulster.
The surname can now be found in some parts of the United States and Canada as the result of immigration from Scotland and Ireland in the 19th century. However, the last name is not especially common in either country. It is also seen in Australia as a result of Scottish and Irish migration and in England in the North East and East Midlands.
Variations of the surname Maidlin
Maidlin is a variant of the medieval surname, Madelin. It is derived from the old French given name “Madeleine”, which means ‘woman from Magdala’. This surname is primarily found in Britain, Europe, and the United States of America.
Maidlin is also spelled in various ways such as Maudlyn, Madelin, Madeline, Madlyn, Matalin, and Madolein. Other versions include Madland, Madlin, Madellan, Maddelin, Madlien, Madellin, Madlyin, Madlein, and Madlund.
The surnames that are similar and have the same origin as Maidlin include Magdeline, Magdelaine, Madelyne, Mademlin, Magdalen, Madelline, Madeline, Madeleine, Madlen, and Madilon.
In addition, other variants and surnames of Maidlin are Maudlin, Maudeline, Maudlyne, Modlin, Maudlyng, Modlyng, Medlin, Maddlin, and Madling.
All of the variants, spellings, and surnames of Maidlin have their roots in the same old French given name “Madeleine”, and are found mainly in Britain, Europe, and the United States of America.
Famous people with the name Maidlin
- Trevante Rhodes: American Actor
- Ramaine Maidla: Estonian Musician
- Trae Maidla: American Painter
- Eddie Maidla: Baseball Player
- Pooja Maidinen: Indian Actress
- Alvari Maidla: Estonian Musician
- Carlos Maida: Argentinian Soccer Player
- Alex Maidla: American Actor
- Emma Maidla: Canadian Artist
- Alexei Maidla: Estonian Singer