Surname Maldonado - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'M'
Rediscovering Lineage and Emotions: My Journey with iGENEA DNA Test as a Maldonado
To know oneself is to journey back to one’s roots. My experience with the iGENEA DNA test was a transformative one that brought me closer to my lineage, my ancestors, and turned the Maldonado name from a mere label to a heritage tale.
T. Maldonado
read moreMaldonado: What does the surname Maldonado mean?
Maldonado is a Spanish surname that has roots in the Latin culture. It is derived from the term "malo donado" or "mal donado", which translates to "poorly gifted" or "badly given" in English. It initially referred to an estate that was given in bad condition or an unproductive property that a landlord had donated. Over time, this term transformed into a last name. Some believe that it may also refer to a person who is unfortunate or has bad luck. Despite the somewhat negative interpretation, Maldonado is a quite common and respected name in many Spanish-speaking communities across the world, particularly in Spain and Latin American countries. Thus, the meaning of a surname doesn't necessarily reflect the qualities or the stature of its bearers in the modern age.
Order DNA origin analysisMaldonado: Where does the name Maldonado come from?
The last name Maldonado is of Spanish origin and roughly translates to "badly gifted" or "ill-fated" in English. This surname was often given to someone with misfortune or hardship. The Maldonado surname is thought to have its roots in the Andalusian region of southern Spain, particularly in the province of Seville.
Today, the surname Maldonado is most prevalent in Mexico, followed by Puerto Rico, Argentina, USA, Colombia, and Peru. In Spain, it is less common today, but still prevalent in the province of Seville. Many people with this surname migrated to the Americas, especially to South and Central America during the Conquest era. This distribution is due to Spain's historical colonization of the Americas. Therefore, it's common among Hispanic and Latinx populations across the world. It is also the 79th most common surname in Argentina and also popular in many American states, including Texas, California, New York, and Florida. Several significant figures in the entertainment, sports, and political world bear the name Maldonado.
Variations of the surname Maldonado
The surname Maldonado is of Spanish origin and it was originally derived from a geographical location in Spain. The name can be spelled differently depending on the historical period, region, and personal preference. Some of the most common variations of Maldonado include Maldonato, Maldanado, Maldenado, Meldonado, and Mardonado. Its other variations are also connecting to various geographical origins with slight spelling differences like Maladonado, Maladorno, Maladarna, Maladrone, and similar others.
According to some resources, it may also come with the prefix 'de' (de Maldonado) indicating "from Maldonado" to denote a family origin or estate. Some families might have added a prefix or suffix to their surnames due to migration, regional dialects, or to differentiate from other families with the same name. For example, Maldonado-Sanchez, where the surname 'Sanchez' might have been added to denote lineage.
However, it's important to note that despite the different variants and spellings, they may not necessarily indicate a familial relationship between individuals having the surname Maldonado. Ultimately, genealogical research and DNA testing may be required to ascertain if people with these variations are related by blood.
Famous people with the name Maldonado
- Edwin Maldonado: Former professional boxer
- Augustin Maldonado: Artist from Venezuela
- Roberto Maldonado: Alderman of the 26th Ward in Chicago
- Angel Maldonado: Puerto Rican reverend
- David Maldonado: Latin American contemporary artist
- Gaspar Maldonado: Spanish conquistador
- Rodrigo Maldonado: Costa Rican soccer player
- Alberto Maldonado: Former Senator from Puerto Rico
- Marysol Maldonado: Television presenter from Miami
- Leonardo Maldonado: Honduras-born actor
- Rolando Maldonado: Mexican film and television actor
- Jorge Maldonado: Professional wrestling referee
- Marlene Maldonado: Professional Muay Thai fighter from Venezuela
- Fabian Maldonado: Argentinian soccer player
- Julio Maldonado: Argentinian actor
- Dileonor Maldonado: Singer from Mexico
- Noel Maldonado: Venezuelan poet
- Cecilia Maldonado: Uruguayan journalist and television presenter
- Juanito Maldonado: Cuban actor
- Daniela Maldonado: Spanish Olympic swimmer