Easton's Bible Dictionary: M. G. Easton, M.A., D.D.
A surname derived from Magdala, the place of her nativity, given to one of the Marys of the Gospels to distinguish her from the other Marys (Mt. 27:56, 61, 28:1, etc.). A mistaken notion has prevailed that this Mary was a woman of bad character, that she was the woman who is emphatically called "a sinner" (Lk. 7:36-50).