The origin of Maen Madoc is not known. According to Coflein the monolith is:
‘A memorial stone measuring 2.7m high, 0.7m wide and 0.3m thick. On its narrowest, south-west, edge is the following inscription:
‘DERVAC-- FILIUS/IVST – (h)IC IACIT‘
The stone, having fallen, was re-erected in its present position some 5.0m to the north, in 1940. The stone is thought by some to be a burial marker, all traces of human remains having been destroyed by the acid soils of the locality. Others believe it to be a re-used prehistoric megalith.‘