It was named after Mary Magdalene, patroness of Kawit, Cavite.

[1]: 22 The Magdalo was often militarily separated and conflicted with the Magdiwang faction's chapter in Cavite.

When the Manila-based Katipunan supreme leader Andres Bonifacio went to Cavite to mediate between the two factions, the Magdalo argued to replace the Katipunan with a revolutionary government.

[1]: 90  The Magdiwang under Bonifacio put forth that the Katipunan already served as the government.

Some of the civil and military officials of the First Philippine Republic came from the Magdalo.