Surname Matthäs - Meaning and Origin
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Matthäs: What does the surname Matthäs mean?
The last name Matthäs is a German surname. It originates from the given name Matthäus, which is derived from the Greek name Mattathias. This name is composed of two elements: “mattan”, meaning “gift” or “gift of God”, and “thouas”, meaning “twin”. Thus, the name Matthäs makes a very meaningful statement about the bearer of the name when translated into English: “Twin Gift of God”.
Throughout the centuries, the surname has been used as a sign of loyalty and faithfulness. The Matthäs family name is associated with strong traditional values of faithfulness. The name has sometimes been used to denote a family who has endured years of loyalty to a specific line of work or tradition. It also signifies that the family is tied together by hardworking values and a sense of loyalty that spans generations.
Taking all of this into account, it can be said that the Matthäs surname carries significance and meaning. It speaks of a longstanding tradition of loyalty and faithfulness, and it is a reminder to the current generation of Matthäs descendants to remain true to their faith, family, and traditions.
Order DNA origin analysisMatthäs: Where does the name Matthäs come from?
The last name Matthäs is most commonly found in Germany today. It is one of the most common German surnames, with an estimated 250,000 people bearing this name. It is most common in the east of the country, particularly in Hessen and Nordrhein-Westfalen, but is widespread throughout Germany.
The surname Matthäs is of patronymic origin, derived from the personal name Matthäus which was borne by Saint Matthew in the Gospels. It is a variation of the Latin name Matthaeus, which is derived from the Hebrew Mattityahu, meaning "gift of Yahweh". It was common among the Bavarians, who began to immigration to other areas before the 15th century.
Outside of Germany, Matthäs is most common in Nordic countries such as Sweden and Finland as well as in Austria, Switzerland, and the Netherlands. It is also fairly common in the United States, particularly in areas with large German-American communities such as Wisconsin, New York, and California.
In the Anglo-Saxon world, Matthäs is often anglicized as Matthews or Mathis. Following immigration to other countries, many people bearing this name have adapted it in order to better suit their new contexts, with variations appearing in dialects such as Mattias and Matias in Spanish-speaking countries, Matija in Croatia, and Mathewos in Ethiopia.
Variations of the surname Matthäs
The most common spellings and variants of the surname Matthäs are Mathew, Matthew, Matthias, Mathies, Matheys and Matheis.
The Matthew spelling is particularly popular in English-speaking countries, while Matthäs and its variants are traditionally German in origin.
Other forms of the name include Matheysen, Matheessen, Matherson, Matheson, Maatheson, Mathesen, Materson, Matterson, Matthiesen, Matheussen and Mathiessen.
In some cases, the Matthäs surname can be traced back to the Molachen or Macyhen family, which is based in northern Germany. Matthias, meaning “gift of God” is a descendant of this family.
Similarly, the Latin form Matthiae and the Dutch spelling Matheuse can also derive from the same family roots.
The persistence of the Matthäs surname has been made possible by its continued popularity in countries with German influence. For example, Matthäs is still a common surname in countries such as the United States, Canada and Australia.
In today’s globalised world, Matthäs is an increasingly common surname in other parts of the world such as South America, Africa and Asia. As people from these countries move around and settle in different places, the Matthäs name is gaining currency, even outside of its traditional homeland.
Famous people with the name Matthäs
- Alexander Matthäs: German athlete and Olympic Gold medalist in the decathlon
- Andreas Matthäs: whistleblower and former member of the Central Intelligence Agency
- Fabian Matthäs: German footballer who plays for Augsburg in the Bundesliga
- Guido Matthäs: Cypriot investor, founder of SolidFX and Akropolis group
- Josef Matthäs: German World War II fighter pilot
- Julia Matthäs: German artist whose works focus on geopolitical issues
- Karl Matthäs: German television presenter and actor
- Mark Matthäs: American professional tennis player
- Nico Matthäs: American football player for the Hamburg Sea Devils
- Rudi Matthäs: German snowboarder and Olympic Silver medalist in the parallel giant slalom