Surname McFadgen - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'M'
McFadgen: What does the surname McFadgen mean?
The last name McFadgen is Scottish in origin. Traditionally, the name was from the Gaelic Mac Fhada Ghabhna which translates as "son of the dark-haired one." It is believed that the name was initially associated with a clan of Gaels living in the Scottish Highlands who were all known to have similar dark-haired features.
McFadgen is a patronymic name, meaning it derives from the given name of the father or ancestor, and follows a common pattern in most of the patronymic surnames. It is a name likely used quite commonly in Scotland and still seen today, though with some members of the clan having chosen to anglicize it to MacFadden.
McFadgen has come to be seen as a variation of MacFadden, and is also an indication of having ancestral roots in Scotland, particularly from the northern part of the country. The McFadgen family is one of long heritage and evidences a proud Scottish ancestry that dates back many centuries.
No matter whether you choose to spell it McFadgen or MacFadden, it remains a proud testament to the legacy and tradition of the Scottish Highlands.
Order DNA origin analysisMcFadgen: Where does the name McFadgen come from?
The surname McFadgen is most commonly found today in Scotland and Northern Ireland. Although rare, it may also be found in the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, as well as in other countries.
The lineage of McFadgen can be traced back to the medieval Scottish and Irish clan known as the MacFadgen. This clan originates from the Scottish island of Islay in Argyll, where the name was first documented in the 12th century. During this period, the lordship of Islay was occupied by a number of Scottish clans, including the MacFadgen.
The clan’s name originates from the Old Gaelic words “Mac” meaning son, and “Fadgen” which means ploughman. This reflects the clan’s original agricultural lifestyle and their roots as a lowland agricultural people.
Today, the McFadgen surname is still associated with Scotland and Ireland, with a high concentration of McFadgens located in both Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Despite its geographical origin, the surname is still carried by many people in the United States, Australia, and New Zealand, where descendants of the clan have moved in pursuit of new opportunities.
Variations of the surname McFadgen
The variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for surname McFadgen include McFadden, Fadden, Fadin, Phadgin, MacFadden, MacFading, MacFaden, MacPhaddin, and Maddin.
McFadgen is an anglicised form of the Irish surname ‘Mac Phaidin’, which means ‘son of Paddan’, a personal name derived from Gaelic ‘padáin’ meaning ‘belt girdle’. This surname is prevalent in Scotland, Ireland, and the Isle of Man and is derived from the ancient Gaelic warrior Cinead Mac Phaiden who was a personal bodyguard of Brian Boru, first High King of Ireland dating back to 1014.
MacFadden is a popular version of this surname being derived directly from MacPhaiden. This spelling is also derived from MacFaden or MacFading and is most popular in Scottish and Irish communities. Fadden and Fadin are similar spellings of this which popularly appear in Ireland.
The surname Maddin is derived from MacFading and appears frequently with other variants. MacPhadgin is the ‘g’ spelling of this surname and again is popular in Scottish, Irish, and Isle of Man communities. The Anglicised version of this is McFadgen.
Although there are many variants of this surname, all are derived from the same origin. All of these surnames are originally Irish and are derived from the Gaelic Cinead Mac Phaiden and MacPhaiden / MacPhadgin, meaning ‘son of Paddan’ or ‘belt girdle’.
Famous people with the name McFadgen
- Terry McFadgen: Canadian politician from Manitoba who previously served as an MLA for Lakeside from 1990-1995.
- Dave McFadgen: professional ice hockey defenceman who played in the NHL between 1997 and 2003.
- Jeff McFadgen: former NBA player from 1989 to 1992 who played for the Utah Jazz and the San Antonio Spurs.
- Joshua McFadgen: Canadian Kinesiologist, triathlon coach, and founder of Japes Endurance Coaching.
- Mick McFadgen: musician and singer-songwriter from Scotland known for his folk rock songs.
- Dee McFadgen: director, screenwriter, and editor credited for her work in I Am the Blues, The Vampire Masters, and Through the Ages.
- Dr. Steve McFadgen: Professor at the University of Missouri: St. Louis Department of Geography and Urban Studies.
- Dave McFadgen: retired professional golfer who played on the PGA Tour in the late 1980s.
- Keith McFadgen: former mayor of West Vancouver, British Columbia in 1993 and 1994.
- Goeff McFadgen: Canadian visual artist based in London, Ontario who is known for his work in painting, sculpture, and photography.