UK surname
Derived from the Scandinavian personal name "Mattias" or "Mathias," combined with the patronymic suffix "-sen" or "-son."
In the 1881 census there were 25 people recorded with the Madson surname, ranking it #30,077 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 29, ranked #36,059, down from #30,077 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside, Trentham and North Meols. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Madson is 147 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 16.0%.
1881 census count
25
Ranked #30,077
Modern count
29
2016, ranked #36,059
Peak year
1861
147 bearers
Map years
1
1861 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Madson surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Madson surname density by area, 1861 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.
| Year | Period | Count | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1851 | historical | 15 | #30,614 |
| 1861 | historical | 147 | #15,539 |
| 1881 | historical | 25 | #30,077 |
| 1891 | historical | 47 | #30,566 |
| 1901 | historical | 27 | #31,057 |
| 1911 | historical | 23 | #30,923 |
| 1997 | modern | 14 | #36,528 |
| 1998 | modern | 11 | #36,908 |
| 1999 | modern | 12 | #36,806 |
| 2000 | modern | 10 | #37,001 |
| 2001 | modern | 10 | #36,852 |
| 2002 | modern | 10 | #36,902 |
| 2003 | modern | 12 | #36,715 |
| 2004 | modern | 10 | #37,096 |
| 2005 | modern | 13 | #36,833 |
| 2006 | modern | 14 | #36,801 |
| 2007 | modern | 13 | #36,990 |
| 2008 | modern | 13 | #37,056 |
| 2009 | modern | 17 | #36,753 |
| 2010 | modern | 20 | #36,599 |
| 2011 | modern | 19 | #36,668 |
| 2012 | modern | 20 | #36,570 |
| 2013 | modern | 24 | #36,344 |
| 2014 | modern | 29 | #36,058 |
| 2015 | modern | 28 | #36,106 |
| 2016 | modern | 29 | #36,059 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside, Trentham, North Meols, Manchester and Luddenham. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside | Durham |
| 2 | Trentham | Staffordshire |
| 3 | North Meols | Lancashire |
| 4 | Manchester | Lancashire |
| 5 | Luddenham | Kent |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Madson surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Madson, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.
These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.
The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.
UK neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Madson surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Madson household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Madson is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Madson is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Madson, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Madson originated in the Scandinavian countries of Denmark, Norway, and Sweden during the medieval period. It is derived from the Old Norse masculine given name Matheus, which was a variant of the biblical name Matthew. The suffix "-son" was commonly added to form a patronymic surname, indicating "son of Matheus."
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Madson can be found in the Danish Census of 1660, where a person named Jens Madson was listed as a resident of Copenhagen. In Norway, the name appears in the records of the Trondheim Cathedral from the early 15th century, with a certain Halvor Madson mentioned as a church warden.
The Madson surname has been associated with several notable individuals throughout history. One of the earliest was Olaf Madson, a Norwegian explorer who is believed to have accompanied Leif Erikson on his voyage to North America around the year 1000 AD. Another prominent figure was Ingrid Madson, a Swedish noblewoman and landowner who lived in the 13th century and was known for her philanthropic work.
In the 17th century, a man named Peder Madson was a respected shipbuilder in the Danish town of Aalborg. His craftsmanship and attention to detail contributed to the town's reputation as a center for shipbuilding during that era.
Moving to the 18th century, the name Madson appears in the records of the Swedish East India Company, with a merchant named Nils Madson trading spices and textiles between Scandinavia and Asia.
In more recent times, one of the most renowned individuals with the Madson surname was the Norwegian writer and poet, Bjørn Madson (1841-1912), whose works explored themes of nature, love, and the human condition. His poetry collection, "Skogens Sange" (Songs of the Forest), remains a beloved classic in Norwegian literature.
While the Madson surname has its roots in Scandinavia, it has since spread to other parts of the world through migration and cultural exchange. The name continues to carry the legacy of its Norse origins and the diverse individuals who have borne it throughout history.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Madson surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Durham leads with 8 Madsons recorded in 1881 and an index of 11.04x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Durham | 8 | 11.04x |
| Lancashire | 5 | 1.73x |
| Hampshire | 2 | 4.00x |
| Lincolnshire | 2 | 5.13x |
| Middlesex | 2 | 0.82x |
| Suffolk | 2 | 6.74x |
| Aberdeenshire | 1 | 4.43x |
| Essex | 1 | 2.08x |
| Gloucestershire | 1 | 2.09x |
| Yorkshire | 1 | 0.41x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Chester Le Street in Durham leads with 5 Madsons recorded in 1881 and an index of 892.86x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Chester Le Street | 5 | 892.86x |
| Liverpool | 4 | 22.78x |
| Ipswich St Clement | 2 | 266.67x |
| Pelton | 2 | 588.24x |
| Southampton All Sts | 2 | 232.56x |
| Boston | 1 | 84.75x |
| Kensington London | 1 | 7.38x |
| Lamesley | 1 | 256.41x |
| Leake | 1 | 555.56x |
| Mile End Old Town | 1 | 25.97x |
| Peterhead | 1 | 84.03x |
| Preston | 1 | 12.92x |
| Sheffield | 1 | 13.00x |
| Stapleton | 1 | 109.89x |
| West Ham | 1 | 9.42x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Madson surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Madson surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Madson households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 3 |
| (Dom) | 1 |
| (Farm Svt Indoor) | 1 |
| (Serv) | 1 |
| Annuitant | 1 |
| Coal Miner | 1 |
| Coal Miners Wife | 1 |
| Errand Boy | 1 |
| Housewife | 1 |
| Laborer Manure Works | 1 |
| Ladys Maid Dom Serv | 1 |
| Office Cleaner | 1 |
| Plumber | 1 |
| Surgeon Genl (Army Medicine Capt Active List) | 1 |
| Weaver Cotton | 1 |
| Widow Of Francis A Farrier | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 25 people were recorded with the Madson surname. That placed it at #30,077 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 29 in 2016. That gives Madson a modern rank of #36,059.
Derived from the Scandinavian personal name "Mattias" or "Mathias," combined with the patronymic suffix "-sen" or "-son."
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Madson bearers relative to the surrounding population.
The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.