Surname Matthiess - Meaning and Origin
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Matthiess: What does the surname Matthiess mean?
The last name Matthiess is an occupational surname derived from the Old Germanic word "matze," meaning a "mattock," a kind of hoe. This was used as part of the name of an individual who manufactured mattocks or supplied them for sale.
The Germanic version of the name also can be found as various spellings in other countries, such as Mattice, Mattaix, Mettethaeus, Matthee, and Mattieus. It is generally assumed to have originated in Germany, but as it has evolved over the centuries, it has been used by many different cultures, including Dutch, English, French, and Swedish.
Interestingly, the same word, "matze," also can refer to a small amount of money; this was commonly used as a nickname for someone who was industrious and successful in reaching financial goals.
The Matthiess surname undoubtedly played a significant role in the immigration of people from continental Europe to other countries such as the United States and Canada. Many settlers with the Matthiess name came to these countries in search of a better life, and these early settlers have left a lasting legacy for the people who now bear the Matthiess name.
Since Matthiess is an occupational surname, it still holds an important connection to the past, as it indicates the hard work that the earliest settlers put into making a living and working hard to succeed. The last name Matthiess has an interesting and long history, and it is still associated with great resourcefulness and ambition.
Order DNA origin analysisMatthiess: Where does the name Matthiess come from?
The last name Matthiess is most commonly seen in Germany today. It is derived from the German personal name Matthias. During the Middle Ages, this name became very popular in northern Europe, particularly in Germany and the Netherlands.
Matthiess is also common in some eastern European countries such as Lithuania and Poland. As people migrated from Germany to other parts of Europe in the past, so did the last name Matthiess and it spread throughout Europe.
The last name is also seen in the United States today, many of whom are of German or eastern European descent. Matthiess is a common surname, not only in the US but also in other countries, such as Canada, Australia, and Brazil.
There have been several prominent men in the US with the surname Matthiess, including Henry Matthiess, a former US Congressman from Minnesota, and Francis Matthiess, a former Attorney General of Wisconsin.
Today, people with the last name Matthiess can be found living all over the world. It is one of the most common surnames globally, with an estimated half a million people bearing it.
Variations of the surname Matthiess
The spelling variants for Matthiess are Mattiess, Matthess, Matthys, Matthews, Mattheyss, Mathyss, Mathiss, Mathies, Mathiess, Mattheyss and Mathes.
Matthiess is a patronymic surname that is derived from the ancient German given name Matthaeus, which in turn was derived from the Hebrew name Mattityahu, anglicized as Matthew. Matthiess is a common German surname and can be found scattered across many of the states in Germany.
In the United States, Matthiess is often spelled Matthews or Mattheyss, and other spelling variants can be found for this surname in the US. All of the spelling variants are related and point to the same origin.
In the Netherlands, Matthiess is often spelled Mathys. In France, Matthiess is often spelled Mathyss or Mathies. In Sweden, Matthiess is often spelled Mathiss. In Denmark, Matthiess is usually spelled Mattiess.
Patronymic surnames are commonly found throughout many countries in Europe. In some cases, when a family immigrated to a new home, they may choose to use a different spelling to differentiate themselves from other families with the same surname.
Regardless of where they live, many families who share the Matthiess surname derive their name from a common ancestor which is shared by all of the different spelling variants.
Famous people with the name Matthiess
- Alfred "Alfie" Matthiess: AFL footballer with the Carlton Football Club and former Brisbane Lions player
- David Matthiess: SIL International linguist
- A. Matthiess: Dutch entomologist
- Peter Matthiess: former Mayor of Palm Springs, California
- Marius Matthiess: former German footballer who represented his country at the 1974 World Cup
- Beverly Matthiess: operatic soprano
- Johannes Matthiess: Manager Corporate Communication at Wilnsdorf, Germany
- Jeff Matthiess: late American professional horse jockey
- Günter Matthiess: former German sports shooter
- Paul Matthiess: American entrepreneur and the founder of Marco's Pizza