Maddison History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The earliest origins of the name Maddison date back to the time of the Anglo-Saxons. The name is derived from the baptismal name Matilda, a popular woman's name in the 11th century.

Early Origins of the Maddison family

The surname Maddison was first found in Durham where they held a family seat from early times and their first records appeared on the early census rolls taken by the early Kings of Britain to determine the rate of taxation of their subjects.

Early History of the Maddison family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Maddison research. Another 91 words (6 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Maddison History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Maddison Spelling Variations

Until quite recently, the English language has lacked a definite system of spelling rules. Consequently, Anglo-Saxon surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. Changes in Anglo-Saxon names were influenced by the evolution of the English language, as it incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other languages. Although Medieval scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, so it is common to find one person referred to by several different spellings of his surname, even the most literate people varied the spelling of their own names. Variations of the name Maddison include Madison, Maddison, Maddeson and others.

Early Notables of the Maddison family

More information is included under the topic Early Maddison Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Maddison migration to the United States +

Searching for a better life, many English families migrated to British colonies. Unfortunately, the majority of them traveled under extremely harsh conditions: overcrowding on the ships caused the majority of the immigrants to arrive diseased, famished, and destitute from the long journey across the ocean. For those families that arrived safely, modest prosperity was attainable, and many went on to make invaluable contributions to the development of the cultures of the new colonies. Research into the origins of individual families in North America revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name Maddison or a variant listed above:

Maddison Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Mrs. Mary Maddison, aged 30, who arrived in Virginia in 1618 aboard the ship "Treasurer"
John and Mary Maddison, who settled in Virginia in 1624
Captain Maddison, who settled in Virginia in 1626
Rich Maddison, who landed in Virginia in 1635 1
Richard Maddison, who settled in Virginia in 1635
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Maddison migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Maddison Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

William Maddison, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Constance" in 1848 2

Maddison migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Maddison Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Mr. William Maddison, (b. 1835), aged 23, English shepherd from Durham travelling from London aboard the ship "Strathallan" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 21st January 1859 3
Mrs. Ann Maddison, (b. 1837), aged 21, English settler from Durham travelling from London aboard the ship "Strathallan" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 21st January 1859 3
Walter Maddison, aged 19, a carpenter, who arrived in Westland aboard the ship "Gainsborough" in 1878 4
Alice Maddison, aged 21, who arrived in Westland aboard the ship "Gainsborough" in 1878 4
Alice Maddison, aged 18, a nurse, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Hudson" in 1879

Contemporary Notables of the name Maddison (post 1700) +

James Daniel Maddison (b. 1996), English professional footballer
George Maddison (1902-1959), English footballer who played from 1922 to 1938
Frederick Brunning Maddison (1849-1907), English footballer who played for England as a midfielder in the first international match against Scotland
Francis Romeril Maddison (1927-2006), English historian, Curator of the Museum of the History of Science in Oxford, England
John Arden Brown Maddison (1900-1987), English footballer who played from 1923 to 1937
George Maddison (1930-1987), English footballer who played from 1948 to 1953
Mr. Tom Maddison B.E.M., British recipient of the British Empire Medal on 8th June 2018, for services to the community in Great Ayton, North Yorkshire 5
Peter Maddison (b. 1954), Australian architect
Sarah Maddison, Australian author
Robert William 'Robbie' Maddison (b. 1981), Australian motorbike stunt rider
... (Another 11 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

The Maddison Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Vae timido
Motto Translation: Woe to the timid.

Citations +

Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) CONSTANCE - 1848. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1848Constance.htm
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 3rd November 2011). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
"Birthday and New Year Honours Lists (1940 to 2019)." Issue 62310, 31 October 2019 | London Gazette, The Gazette, June 2018, https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/62310/supplement/B1