Surname Mate - Meaning and Origin
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Mate: What does the surname Mate mean?
The surname Mate is derived from the Latin given name Matthaeus, meaning “gift of God”. It is most commonly found in Hungary and Croatia and originally referred to someone who was the son or descendant of someone named Matthaeus. It is said to be an occupational surname for a servant of a prominent family, or a name given to someone of a humble background.
The surname Mate also had a religious connotation in Hungary, as it was also used to denote a member of the priestly order. This likely comes from the Latin derivation, as Matthaeus was one of the twelve apostles of Jesus. It is believed to be of Greek origin, as all twelve apostles were men of Greek descent.
Over the centuries, the surname Mate has spread to other countries such as Spain, Germany, and Romania. In some instances, it has become a patronymic name denoting the paternal descent of a family.
Today Mate is relatively common, although it is still most commonly associated with Hungarian and Croatia. Its meaning has stayed true throughout the centuries, and it is indicative of a humble and generous nature and a spiritual nature.
Order DNA origin analysisMate: Where does the name Mate come from?
The last name Mate is most commonly found in Latin American countries. It is a Portuguese and Spanish surname that originated in the Iberian Peninsula. It is most often seen in Mexico, Colombia, Argentina, Chile, Spain, and Portugal. Some people with the last name Mate have also settled in other countries such as the United States, Australia, and New Zealand.
In Spain, one of the most common variants of the surname is Matar a which has been changed to Mate over time. The name is thought to mean "one who harvests" which would make sense since the name is so common in countries with large agricultural industry.
In Mexico, the prevalence of the Mate surname is linked to several historical events. It is believed that a Basque landowner in Mexico gave the surname to his Native American laborers during the colonial period. This is why it is much more common in rural areas of Mexico and Latin America where there were higher concentrations of Native American labor.
The Mate surname is also popular in Colombia where it is thought to have been introduced by Spanish clergy during the colonial era. It is also prevalent in Chile, Argentina, and other Latin American countries. Generally, the Mate surname means something different to every family it is applied to, but it almost always reflects Spanish or Portuguese roots.
Variations of the surname Mate
Mate is a surname of multiple origins. One origin comes from Medieval English, deriving from an occupational name for someone who worked as a servant, from the Middle English word in terms of “bondservant”. Another origin comes from Ancient French, deriving from the word “mate” in terms of “friend”. The surname also has roots in the Polish language, deriving from the Polish word “mata or maty” in terms of “bit or piece of land”.
At its core, the surname Mate is spelled the same; however, its variants include Matey, Matay, Matee, and Matty.
The surnames MacMatee, MacMatay, and MacMatey are also derived from the same origin as Mate. These surnames can be found in Ireland as a result of the numerous migrations that occurred after 17th century revolutions.
Other surnames that are related to the surname Mate include Mates, Matts, Mattis, Mateau, Matheo, Mateson, Matisen, Matys, Mather, Mathes, Mathews, and Maday. These surnames are found throughout a variety of countries, such as the United States, United Kingdom, France, Canada, and Germany.
In conclusion, the surname Mate has multiple origin stories and is spelled in many different variants. Additionally, it has created an immense array of related surnames throughout numerous countries.
Famous people with the name Mate
- Nicolás Mate: A retired Uruguayan footballer who last played for Millonarios in Colombia.
- Adam Mate: An American multi-Grammy-winning music producer.
- Ana Mate: A popular Venezuelan singer who is known for her Latin pop and romantic pop music.
- Mike Mate: An actor from New Zealand who is best known for his role in the popular TV show The Lord Of The Rings.
- Cheng-Yao Mates: A Chinese composer and musician who is known for his works in Chinese orchestral music.
- Zoltan Mate: A Hungarian author who is widely recognized for his works in postmodern literature.
- Rikki Mate: An Australian runner and triathlete who was an Olympic bronze medalist in 2000.
- Eric Mate: An American basketball player who is a current NBA player for the Phoenix Suns.
- Yaron Mate: An Israeli Paralympic triathlete who is known for his inspirational journey after losing his right leg to cancer.
- Mary Mate: An American author and motivational speaker who is known for her work on topics such as health, wellness, and positive thinking.