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Magdalen

Magdalen, also spelled Magdalene, is a name and toponym used in several English-speaking contexts. The most well known reference is Mary Magdalene, a 1st‑century figure described in the New Testament as a devoted follower of Jesus and a witness to his death and resurrection. The given name derives from Magdala, a village on the shores of the Sea of Galilee, meaning “woman from Magdala.” Over time, Magdalen has appeared in literary and religious contexts as an English form of Magdalene.

The Magdalen Islands, or Îles de la Madeleine in French, are an archipelago off the coast of

In higher education, Magdalen (or Magdalene) appears in the names of historic colleges. Magdalen College, Oxford,

As a given name or surname, Magdalen/ Magdalene continues to appear in English-language usage, reflecting its

Quebec,
Canada,
in
the
Gulf
of
Saint
Lawrence.
The
English
name
is
an
older
transliteration
of
the
same
place,
and
the
islands
are
known
for
fishing
communities
and
coastal
scenery.
is
a
constituent
college
of
the
University
of
Oxford,
founded
in
the
15th
century
by
William
of
Waynflete
and
named
after
Mary
Magdalene.
It
is
noted
for
its
distinctive
tower,
gardens,
and
traditions
such
as
the
May
Morning
celebrations.
Magdalene
College,
Cambridge,
another
ancient
college
of
the
University
of
Cambridge,
shares
the
same
dedication
to
Mary
Magdalene
and
represents
the
Cambridge
spelling
variant
of
the
name.
historical
and
religious
associations.