Surname Mat - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'M'
Mat: What does the surname Mat mean?
The last name Mat is believed to be derived from the Spanish word "mata," which means "forest." It is thought that this name began as an occupational surname for someone who worked in or around a forest. In some cases, the name may have also come from German mat, which means "knob stick" or "cudgel," and may refer to a profession such as a craftsman or librarian.
In some countries, the surname Mat is also associated with the Latin word mater, which means "mother." It is related to the English word "maternal." In these cases, the surname may have derived from a nickname or an indicator of an ancestor's respect or affection for a mother figure.
The surname Mat is widespread, particularly in regions of Eastern Europe, with notable concentrations in Latvia and Poland. Other regions where the surname is especially popular include Portugal, Spain, the Caribbean, and the United States.
Beyond its origin, the surname Mat is also associated with various historical figures. French mathematician Jean-Paul Mat was an early leader in new approaches to probability and Sylvia Mathews Burwell was the 22nd United States Secretary of Health and Human Services.
Overall, the last name Mat is derived from words meaning forest, knob stick, or mother. It is most popular in Eastern Europe, the Caribbean, and the United States, and it is associated with various figures throughout history.
Order DNA origin analysisMat: Where does the name Mat come from?
The last name Mat is most commonly found in French-speaking countries such as France, Belgium, and Switzerland, as well as in former French and Belgian colonies such as Algeria, Mauritius, and Haiti. It is also found in some parts of Italy and Spain. The name is also common in some parts of India, especially in the state of Goa, where many Goans have adopted the surname. In the US, the name is primarily found in states with large French-speaking populations, such as Louisiana and New England.
The origin of the surname is uncertain, although some experts believe that it is derived from the Old French personal name Matheus, which is related to the biblical name Matthew. It may also be a diminutive of the ethnic name Mac, which means "son of". Other possible origins of the name include Arabic, Portuguese, and Catalan.
The surname is related to the French, English, Italian, and Spanish names Mathieu and Mattieu, which come from the Latin personal name Matthaeus. It is also related to the Old German name Matheo. All of these variants of the name can be traced back to the same Hebrew origin, which means "gift of G-d".
Variations of the surname Mat
The surname Mat is derived from the Latin given name Matheus which is from the Hebrew name 'Mattathia'. The most common variants of Mat are Matt, Matte, Matthews, and Matteson. The spelling variations of Mat include Matthias, Matthew, Matthews, Maatthews, Mathewes, MacMahon, Mathie, Mathews, Mathewsons, Mathewssen, Maher, Mahr, Mahon, Maitland, Matheu, MacMahon, Matheus, and Mathieson.
The town of 'Mathy' in the French region of Artois is believed to be the origin of the Mat surname. As 'Mathy' was often mispronounced as 'Mat' the name gradually became known as Mat.
The surname Matthews is derived from the Welsh personal name Mathew, which is a form of the Greek name Matthias. The original form of the name was 'Matheu' and Mathew is the Welsh translation. Mathew was a common first name among medieval Welsh people, so the surname is fairly common in Wales.
The surname Mathie is derived from the German personal name Matheis which is a form of the Greek name Matthias. The original form of the name was 'Matheus', and it is believed to have been brought to Scotland by the Anglo-Saxon settlers.
The surname Mathewson is derived from the Old Norse personal name 'Matteuson', which is a form of the Greek name Matthias. The original form of the name was 'Matheuson' and Matthias is the Greek Translation. This name was later shortened to Mathewson.
The surname Mathewssen is derived from the Old Norse personal name 'Matteusen', which is a form of the Greek name Matthias. The original form of the name was 'Matheusen' and Matthias is the Greek Translation. This name was later anglicized to Mathewssen.
The surname Mahon is derived from the Irish surname of 'O Mahon', which is an anglicized form of the Gaelic 'O Mathghamhna'. The original form of the name was 'Magamha' and Mathghamhna is the Gaelic translation.
The surname Maitland is an Anglicized form of the Gaelic 'Mac Mhaolain', which is derived from the Gaelic personal name Maolain. The original form of the name was 'Maelan' and Maolain is the Gaelic translation.
The surname MacMahon is derived from the Irish 'O Mathghamain', which is an anglicized form of the Gaelic 'O Mathghamhain'. The original form of the name was 'Magamhan' and Mathghamhain is the Gaelic translation.
The surname Maher is derived from the Irish 'O Mathair', which is an anglicized form of the Gaelic 'O mathghair'. The original form of the name was 'Magar' and Mathghair is the Gaelic translation.
Famous people with the name Mat
- Max Matzker: American entrepreneur and investor
- Davide Matteini: Italian footballer
- Claude Maté: Chilean actor
- Henrique Matias: Portuguese graphic designer
- Martin Matin: French actor
- Gabriel Mat increased: Argentine singer
- Martin Mat fin: French singer
- Jorge Mateos: Mexican footballer
- Francisco Mat grosso: Venezuelan football player
- Laurie Mat loom: American professional volleyball player
- Claudia Mateo: Spanish singer
- Yael MatTO: Israeli singer
- Anne-Marie Mat: French singer
- Magun Mat thews: Dutch rower
- Luciano Mat ta-Gomes: Brazilian footballer
- Max Mat hanga: Zimbabwean musician
- Antonio Mat tarella: Italian politician
- José Mat os: Brazilian actor
- Fabio Mat ozzo: Italian swimmer
- Ignazio Mat dico: Italian sculptor