Surname Matthes - Meaning and Origin
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Tracing the Matthes Legacy: An Eye-Opening Journey through the iGENEA DNA Test
Despite a lifelong assumption of possessing solely a German heritage affirmed by the Matthes surname, the unexpected results from the iGENEA DNA test have significantly influenced my perception regarding my family identity. The test results trace my family lineage back to Northwestern Europe, with surprising Jewish connections, prompting an urgent reevaluation of stories passed down my ancestry.
N. Matthes
read moreMatthes: What does the surname Matthes mean?
Matthes is a surname of German origin. It is derived from the Hebrew name "Matthew," which translated means "gift of God". This surname is often associated with early Christian saints and was popular during the Middle Ages in Europe, largely due to St. Matthew the Apostle, who was one of Jesus Christ's twelve apostles, and the author of the first gospel in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. Name bearers of Matthes could be descendants of a person who was given this name due to their religious connections or affiliations. The spelling of the surname varies greatly, with common versions including Matthys, Mathies, Matthies, Matthews, among others.
Order DNA origin analysisMatthes: Where does the name Matthes come from?
The last name Matthes has German origins. It is derived from the Hebrew biblical name 'Matthew,' which means 'Gift of God.' Consistently pronounced as 'mat-thes,' this surname is a pet form, or a diminutive, of the first name Matthew, aided by the addition of the German suffix -es, indicating 'son of.' Thus conveying 'son of Matthew.'
In the old German script, both the letters 't' and 'h' were almost identical, leading to a variety of spellings, such as Mattheis, Matthies, Matthis, Matthias, Matthes, and others. Each of these variants can be traced back to the original surname Matthew in some part of Germany.
Though it is common in Germany, the surname can also be found in places where there has been significant German migration, such as North America, especially in the United States, and parts of South America like Brazil. Matthes is less common than its variants such as Matthews or Mathews in English-speaking countries. However, in parts of Europe, particularly in Germany and to a lesser extent in France, Netherlands, and Denmark, the surname is relatively common.
Variations of the surname Matthes
The surname Matthes is of German origin, and is a derivative of the given name Matthew, meaning 'gift of God'. The primary patronymic spelling is Matthews, an English version, which has been transformed through time and across regions into a variety of forms.
Some of the notable variants and spellings include Matthies, Matthiessen, Matthiesen, and Mattes. In countries such as Denmark and Sweden, the name takes the form of Mattsson or Mattis. A French variant of this surname is Mathis or Mathieu.
Alternate English spellings of this surname can include Mathews, Matthis, Mattes, and Matthias, among others. In Northern Germany, the Low German form Matten is also used.
An original and historical form of the name is Matthaeus, derived from the New Testament Greek name Μαθθαῖος (Matthaios) which was a rendition of the Hebrew name מַתִּתְיָהוּ (Mattityahu) meaning 'gift of YAHWEH'.
Surname derivations that are different in origin but phonetically similar include Matters, Mathers, and Mates, which are predominantly of English origin. While most of the above variants are patronymic (derived from paternal names), some may also be toponymic (associated with geographical locations), adopted from cities named Mathes or Mattes.
Note that exact origins can vary greatly based on historical, geographical, and familial factors, and the above list is not exhaustive.
Famous people with the name Matthes
- Niklas Matthes: German professional volleyball player
- John Matthew Matthes: Noted American organist
- Ruth Matthes: She was the mother of 14-year-old Jon Mattys, who went missing in 1998.
- Thomas Matthes: German football coach
- Carl Matthes: German pianist and accompanist
- Harry Matthes: Former mayor of Chicago from 1895-1897
- Maria Matthes: German actress
- Bobby Matthes: American Major League Baseball player
- Kelly Matthes: American bodybuilder
- Jo Matthes: German weightlifter
- Kurt Matthes: One of the two designers of the notorious 1936 Mercedes-Benz F-Series prototype car
- Andrea Matthes: German triathlete
- Chris Matthes: American singer-songwriter
- Henning Matthes: German actor and theatre director
- Jeroen Matthes: Dutch racing cyclist