Surname Medlin - Meaning and Origin

Unraveling Emotional DNA Double Helix: My iGENEA Journey and the Medlin Connection

Embarking on a DNA journey with iGENEA was an emotional whirlwind, transforming my perception of my lineage and the surname Medlin. The experience fostered an appreciation of heritage, a sense of belonging, and an introspective journey that probed into centuries of family history.

K. Medlin

Medlin: What does the surname Medlin mean?

The surname Medlin is of English origin, deriving from the medieval personal name Medwin. The name Medwin itself is composed of elements that may mean "counsel" and "friend." It could also be derived from the Welsh given name Medwyn, meaning "greatly good" or "greatly white" in the ancient Celtic language. Like many other surnames, Medlin would have originally served as a way to identity individuals, by their name of Medwin or Medwyn, in a time when not everyone had a surname. Over time, surnames like this evolved to become hereditary and carried on through generations. As with all surnames, it's important to note that while this meaning can provide historical context, it doesn't necessarily define the individuals who carry the surname today.

Medlin: Where does the name Medlin come from?

The last name Medlin appears in records of European, North American, and Australian families, though it is much more common in some locations than others. In the United States, the name is most common in the states of Kentucky, Tennessee, and North Carolina, where there are more Medlins than in any other states. In the United Kingdom, the name is particularly common in Scotland and northern England. As well, the name appears in records in New Zealand, South Africa, and the Australian continent.

In the United States, records show that the highest concentration of the surname Medlin is in the towns of Harlan, Hyden, and Rockholds in Kentucky. West of Tennessee, records show that Medlin is most common in the small town of Robbinsville, North Carolina.

In Scotland, the town of Killearn reports that the name has become more popular over the past few decades; likewise, records reveal that the last name is well established in Eccleshall and Wheaton Aston, located in Stafford, England.

According to records, the name Medlin is also common in parts of Ireland—though not as much as in other regions covered. It appears that most people of Irish heritage named Medlin arrived in North America sometime during the 19th century, where the name continues to thrive in some regions more than others.

Variations of the surname Medlin

Medlin is a surname originated in Britain. Variants of Medlin include Medlan, Medlen, Medlam, Medlyne, Medline, Miedlin, and Midline. The name is an Anglicized variation of the Old Norse name “Meðill,” which is derived from the words “með” and “ill,” meaning “middle island.” The name was originally given to someone who came from an island in the middle of a nearby lake or river.

Medlin is also the Anglicized version of the Gaelic name “Mag Fhiodhnaill,” which means “son of Fhiodhnaill.” This surname is derived from the given name “Fhiodhnaill,” which was derived from the Irish language words “fiodh,” meaning “wood,” and “naill,” meaning “valley.” The name was likely given to someone who lived in or near a wooded valley.

Other variants of the surname Medlin include Meadlin, Melden, Meldin, Melding, Meldoni, and Melton. Surnames of the same origin include Medland, Medling, Medlow, Medlind, Medlyd, Medlyn, and Medlingham.

The name Medlin is most commonly found in North America, especially in the United States and Canada. It is also relatively common in England, Scotland, and Wales, where it is derived from Old Norse.

Famous people with the name Medlin

• Melanie Medlin: American actress known for her roles in "The Perfect Storm" (2000) and "The Asset" (2004).
• Cody Medlin: Country music singer and songwriter who released his debut album "The Everlasting Shine" in 2019.
• Martha Medlin: American Olympian who won a bronze medal in archery at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece.
• Ralston Medlin: Baseball player who was drafted by the New York Yankees in 2011 and again in 2012 and is currently playing minor league baseball.
• Allen Medlin: Retired professional basketball player who played for the Seattle SuperSonics from 1975-1980.
• Russell Medlin: Professional ski racer who won a bronze medal in the men's slalom at the 2002 FIS Alpine World Ski Championships.
• Henry Medlin: American actor who starred in films such as "The Final Countdown" (1980), "Taps" (1981), and "The Great Outdoors" (1988).
• Lou Medlin: American comedian who was a regular on the television series "Caroline in the City" (1995-1998).
• Jeff Medlin: Canadian politician who served as the leader of the Saskatchewan Mixed Martial Arts Association from 2001-2006.
• Wanetta Medlin: American musician and DJ who has released several albums on her own label.

Other surnames

MedlieMedling