MADRID Surname Meaning and Family History

Madrid, Spain Cityscape

SeanPavonePhoto/Getty Images 

The Madrid surname was often used to denote someone who came from Madrid. During the Middle Ages when the surname came into being, Madrid was a modest-sized town; only becoming the capital of Spain in 1561. The origin of the name is uncertain, but possibly a derivative of Late Latin matrix, meaning "riverbed."

When Jews converted to Christianity in Spain in the 15th century, whether voluntarily or by force, they often took a last name based on their town or city or origin.

Surname Origin: Spanish, Jewish

Alternate Surname Spellings: Lamadrid, De La Madrid

Famous People with the Surname MADRID

  • Miguel de la Madrid - President of Mexico from 1982–1989
  • Juan Madrid - Spanish writer

Places the MADRID Surname Is Common

The Madrid surname is most prevalent in Mexico, according to surname distribution data from Forebears, where it ranks 449th in the nation. Based on population percentage, however, it is most common in Honduras, where it ranks as the nation's 58th most common surname. Madrid is also a frequent surname in many other Hispanic countries, including the Philippines, Spain, Chile, Colombia, Venezuela, Guatemala, El Salvador, and Panama.

WorldNames PublicProfiler identifies the Madrid surname as being somewhat common in Spain, especially in the regions of Murcia and Castilla-La Mancha, followed by Andalucia, Communidad Valencia, Cataluna, and Castilla Y Leon. Madrid is also found in more significant numbers in northwest Argentina and the southwestern United States, particularly in the state of New Mexico.

Genealogy Resources for the Surname MADRID

  • 50 Common Hispanic Surnames & Their Meanings
    Garcia, Martinez, Rodriguez, Lopez, Hernandez, are you one of the millions of people sporting one of these top 50 common Hispanic last names?Get started researching your Jewish roots with this guide to basic genealogy research, unique Jewish resources and records, and suggestions for the best Jewish genealogy Web sites and databases to search first for your Jewish ancestors.
  • How to Research Hispanic Ancestry
    Explore these 10 steps to help you uncover your Hispanic ancestors, including the basics of family tree research in Spain, Latin America, Mexico, Brazil, and other Spanish speaking countries.
  • Madrid Family Crest - It's Not What You Think
    Contrary to what you may hear, there is no such thing as a Madrid family crest or coat of arms for the Madrid surname. Coats of arms are granted to individuals, not families, and may rightfully be used only by the uninterrupted male-line descendants of the person to whom the coat of arms was originally granted.
  • MADRID Family Genealogy Forum
    Search this popular genealogy forum for the Madrid surname to find others who might be researching your ancestors, or post your own Madrid query.
  • FamilySearch - MADRID Genealogy
    Explore over 270,000 historical records which mention individuals with the Madrid surname, as well as online Madrid family trees on this free website hosted by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
  • DistantCousin.com - MADRID Genealogy & Family History
    Free databases and genealogy links for the last name Madrid.
  • GeneaNet - Madrid Records
    GeneaNet includes archival records, family trees, and other resources for individuals with the Madrid surname, with a concentration on records and families from France and other European countries.
  • The Madrid Genealogy and Family Tree Page
    Browse family trees and links to genealogical and historical records for individuals with the last name Madrid from the website of Genealogy Today.

Sources:

  • Cottle, Basil. Penguin Dictionary of Surnames. Baltimore, MD: Penguin Books, 1967.
  • Dorward, David. Scottish Surnames. Collins Celtic (Pocket edition), 1998.
  • Fucilla, Joseph. Our Italian Surnames. Genealogical Publishing Company, 2003.
  • Hanks, Patrick, and Flavia Hodges. A Dictionary of Surnames. Oxford University Press, 1989.
  • Hanks, Patrick. Dictionary of American Family Names. Oxford University Press, 2003.
  • Reaney, P.H. A Dictionary of English Surnames. Oxford University Press, 1997.
  • Smith, Elsdon C. American Surnames. Genealogical Publishing Company, 1997.

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Powell, Kimberly. "MADRID Surname Meaning and Family History." ThoughtCo, Aug. 28, 2020, thoughtco.com/madrid-surname-meaning-and-origin-4079993. Powell, Kimberly. (2020, August 28). MADRID Surname Meaning and Family History. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/madrid-surname-meaning-and-origin-4079993 Powell, Kimberly. "MADRID Surname Meaning and Family History." ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/madrid-surname-meaning-and-origin-4079993 (accessed March 29, 2024).