Surname Matteus - Meaning and Origin
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Matteus: What does the surname Matteus mean?
The last name Matteus is an Italian surname from the Latin word "mattheus" which means "gift of God". The surname is often found in Italian families and has likely been used in Italy for many generations.
In Italian, the final syllable is pronounced "os" giving Matteus its unique pronunciation. It may be spelled as Mattaeus, Matteus, or Mattheus.
As a given name, Matteus refers to the biblical character, St. Matthew the Apostle and Evangelist, who is believed to have been one of Jesus' twelve disciples. The name is sometimes associated with Matthew, the tax collector, because of his reputation for working diligently and living a virtuous life.
In Italy, the name is primarily used as a surname. It is believed to be most common in the region of Marche, located in east-central Italy.
Its literal meaning "gift of God" and connection to St. Matthew make it a great name for those whose faith is important to them. For this reason, some have chosen to give the name Matteus to their children.
The historic legacy of the Matteus family can provide a strong sense of belonging for those who carry the surname today. And, for those who don't, the meaningful nature of the name itself can provide a sense of comfort.
Order DNA origin analysisMatteus: Where does the name Matteus come from?
The last name Matteus is most commonly found today throughout the United States and Europe. In the United States the name is primarily among white Americans of mostly German ancestry, as well as some Scandinavian backgrounds. In Europe, Matteus has been recorded in several countries including Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands and Sweden.
In the United States, two of the highest concentration of Matteus are in Baltimore, Maryland, and Washington, DC, according to the US Census Bureau from 2018. In Maryland, there are 313 people with the last name Matteus, mostly spread throughout the center of the state. In Washington, DC, there are 54 people with the name.
The name may have originated in medieval Germany as a nickname for individuals with a reputation for being biblical scholars. It comes from the Latin phrase Matthaeus, also known as Matthew, one of the twelve apostles.
Matteus is increasingly being used as a first name, in addition to its popularity as a last name, particularly in Europe, where it ranked among the top 500 first names in Germany, Sweden, Belgium, and the Netherlands in 2019.
Variations of the surname Matteus
The surname Matteus is most likely of Germanic origin and is derived from the personal name Matthaeus. Variations of the name Matteus include the following; Mattaeus, Mathaeus, Matthaes, Matthias, Mathias, Matheus, Mathus, Mattheus, Madteus, Mattaeus, Mattheos, and Mattheaus. Surnames related to Matteus include Matthaei, Mattah, Mathaei, Mathei, and Mathai.
The most popular variant of the Matteus surname is spelled Matthias in Germany where it is derived from the Hebrew form “Mattathias”. It is more common in English speaking countries, however, to see this name spelled as Matthaeus, Matthew, or Matthai. The modern spelling of the name Matthias is often transliterated from Greekets to Matthew. In Swedish culture the spelling Mathaeus is favored, while in Latin America the spelling Matthaeus is often seen. The Italian variation of the name Matteus is often spelled Matteo or Matheo.
In some cases, variants of Matteus have also become surnames. Examples of surnames derived from Matteus include Mathes, Matthis, Matthiessen, and Mattingly. In Scotland, the surname Mathieson is a patronymic derived from the male given name Matthias or Matthew. It is a common surname in Scotland, and is found with some frequency in The United States. In Germany, the surname Mattheis is a habitational name derived from a place with a similar surname.
Finally, surnames derived from the Italian variant Matteo include D'Amato, D'Amico, D'Angelo, De Matteo, Di Matteo, and Matozzo. In Portugal, patronymic surnames such as Mattos and Matos are derived from the personal name Matteus.
Famous people with the name Matteus
- Sylvester Matteus: He is a renowned professional basketball coach based in the Netherlands. He was a member of the Dutch National Team at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, South Korea and the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, Spain.
- Martin Matteus: An American politician who served in the New Jersey General Assembly from 1914 to 1917, where he represented the 16th District and later the 17th District. He was a Republican.
- Claus-Peter Matteus: A German social philosopher best known for his book Being and Time (1927), written in the phenomenological style. His work influenced many of the philosophers and theologians of his time.
- Hubertus Matthus: The CEO and Chairman of the Board of Juwelier Matthus GmbH, one of Germany’s leading independent jewelry stores. He is known for his entrepreneurial spirit and dedication to customers, making sure they have the best experience possible.
- Christian Matthus: An Austrian photographer, best known for his documentary works, particularly images of his homeland of Salzburg. He was awarded the Austrian Press Photo Prize and had exhibitions in Vienna and Berlin.
- Anne Matthus: A film and television actress who is known for her roles in productions like “Two of a Kind” and “Hi and Lois.” She also had appearances in a number of other productions, including “Gargoyles,” “Under the Dome,” and “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation.”
- Konrad Matthus: A German composer and organist during the 16th century. He composed numerous vocal works, motets, a capella and organ pieces. Pieces by Matthus are still performed by ensembles throughout Europe.
- Thorsten Matthus: A German automobile designer who has worked for various automotive companies, including Audi, returns to Munich in 2002 to join the Design Department at BMW Group. He is best known for his innovative design concepts and is most famously credited with developing the BMW X cars.