EtymologyMadoc is a masculine given name of Welsh origin. It derives from the Old Welsh name Matauc, which is formed from the element mad meaning "good, fortunate" combined with a diminutive suffix. The name thus carries connotations of goodness or good fortune.Historical and Literary BearersThe name Madoc appears in early Welsh literature, notably in the 7th-century poem Y Gododdin, where it is borne by a warrior. In medieval history, Madoc ap Maredudd (died 1160) was the last prince of the kingdom of Powys. The name is also associated with the legendary figure Madoc ab Owain Gwynedd, a supposed 12th-century Welsh prince who, according to folklore, sailed to the Americas in 1170—over three centuries before Christopher Columbus. This tale, often called the "Madoc story," became particularly prominent in Elizabethan times when it was used to bolster English claims to North America based on prior discovery. Later embellishments held that Madoc's followers intermarried with Native Americans, and that their descendants still spoke Welsh—a claim that has been debunked but persists in popular lore.Variants and Related NamesVariants of Madoc include Madog, and the Old Welsh form Matauc. The surname Maddox is a Welsh surname descendant of Madoc.Meaning: "good, fortunate" (from mad + diminutive suffix)Origin: Old WelshType: First nameUsage regions: Wales (historically and in legend)