MacIfedy History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Ireland

The surname MacIfedy originally appeared in Gaelic as "Mac an Mhadaidh," which is probably derived from the word "madadh," which means "warrior, dog." 1

Another source claims the family claim descent through Owen Buac, brother of Owen Fionn, ancestor of O'Madadhain, of Connaught, slain, 1008; Anglicized O'Madden, Madden. The Madden family of Longford, County Galway, the O'Madden family of Balbriggan, County Dublin and the Madden family of Ulster are all branches of the original. 2

Alternatively, the name could have been from "descendant of little Matthew (gift of Jehovah.)" 3

Early Origins of the MacIfedy family

The surname MacIfedy was first found in County Galway (Irish: Gaillimh) part of the province of Connacht, located on the west coast of the Island, where they held a family seat from ancient times.

We did find this interesting entry for the Mudrigan variant in the parish of St. Martin, Cornwall, England: "Although this parish contains no manor, Mudgian is said formerly to have had manorial rights, when it belonged to a family of this name, and was their seat. From the Mudgians it passed with an heiress in marriage to the Chynoweths." 4

Early History of the MacIfedy family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our MacIfedy research. Another 126 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1347, 1556, 1567, 1677, 1713 and 1715 are included under the topic Early MacIfedy History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

MacIfedy Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: MacAvaddy, Madden, O'Madden, Madigan, Macavadan and others.

Early Notables of the MacIfedy family

Another 42 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early MacIfedy Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the MacIfedy family

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: Edward Madden settled in New England in 1753; John Madden settled in Barbados in 1663; Andrew, Bernard, Daniel, David, Hugh, James, John, Mary, Patrick, Peter, Richard, Thomas and William Madden all arrived in Philadelphia between 1840 and 1860.

Citations +

Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
O'Hart, John, Irish Pedigrees 5th Edition in 2 Volumes. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Company, 1976. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0737-4)
Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
Hutchins, Fortescue, The History of Cornwall, from the Earliest Records and Traditions to the Present Time. London: William Penaluna, 1824. Print