by Merriment McDemonheart (guest)
2/16/2003, 6:27 AM
An Irish surname. According to Reaney and Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames, the name derives from Irish O Madáin 'descendant of Madadhan'. Madadhan is an Irish name (more likely to be nickname than given name) meaning 'little dog', from madadh 'dog'.