Madilyn is a feminine given name of English origin, derived from the combination of the names Madison and Lynn. The name Madison itself can be traced back to the Old English surname "Maddi" or "Maddy," which was a pet form of the name Matthew, meaning "gift of God." The suffix "-son" was later added, creating the patronymic surname Madison.

On the other hand, Lynn is a gender-neutral name with multiple origins. It can be derived from the Old English word "linn" meaning aPoolOrWaterfall or the Celtic word "llyn" meaning a lake. Lynn was also used as a short form of names like Linden or Lynette.

The earliest recorded instance of the name Madilyn dates back to the late 20th century when it gained popularity as a combination of the two names Madison and Lynn. While the individual components have a longer history, the specific spelling and combination of "Madilyn" is relatively modern.

Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals who bore variations of the name Madison or Lynn, but the name Madilyn itself is quite rare in historical records. One of the earliest recorded individuals with a similar name was Madeleine de Verchères (1678-1747), a French-Canadian heroine who defended her family's fort against an attack by the Iroquois in 1692.

Another notable figure was Madeleine L'Engle (1918-2007), an American writer best known for her young adult novel "A Wrinkle in Time." While her name was spelled slightly differently, it shares the same root as Madilyn.

In more recent times, Madelyn Pugh (1921-2011) was an American writer and producer who worked on popular television shows such as "I Love Lucy" and "The Lucy Show."

Madelyn Fernstrom (born 1943) is an American psychologist and author known for her work in the field of weight management and nutrition.

Madelyn Cain (born 1991) is an American actress and singer, best known for her role in the Netflix series "The OA."

While the name Madilyn may not have a long and storied history like some other names, its unique combination of elements from different sources contributes to its charm and distinctiveness. The name continues to grow in popularity, particularly in the United States, as parents seek out unconventional and creative names for their children.