Surname Matsen - Meaning and Origin
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Matsen: What does the surname Matsen mean?
The last name Matsen is believed to have German origins and is derived from the word ‘Matse’, meaning a big house. The first recorded instance of the name was in the late 17th century, in the Bremen region of Germany.
The history of the Matsen name is tied to a wealthy and influential merchant family from the region. The earliest known ancestor of the family is Johann Matsen, who was born in 1684 and had acquired considerable wealth by trading in grain, cloth, and other goods. This prosperous family established itself as an important part of society, eventually owning large properties and landholdings.
The Matsen family began spreading across the world in the 19th century, with some descendants settling in the United States and elsewhere. Today, the name is most commonly found in Denmark, Norway, Germany, Sweden, and the United States.
In the United States, the name Matsen is frequently used for individuals in the Pacific Northwest. Being of German origin, Matsen is most often considered a patronymic name, meaning it is often followed by a shortened first name or initial. The name usually has a strong, traditional, and family-oriented connotation, being steeped in the proud heritage of the Matsen family.
Order DNA origin analysisMatsen: Where does the name Matsen come from?
The last name Matsen is most commonly found in Norway, Denmark, and Sweden. In Norway, the Matsen surname is closely linked to the city of Bergen in western Norway. It is one of the most common surnames in the area, particularly in the town of Dale where it is the 10th most popular surname.
In Denmark, the Matsen surname is found throughout the country, although it is most prevalent in Jutland and western parts of the country. It is also the 4th most common surname in the capital city of Copenhagen. Matsen is also found in Sweden, particularly in the western and southern parts of the country and in the capital, Stockholm.
The Matsen surname can also be found in other countries. For instance, it has been found in England since at least the 17th century. It is also present in the United States, particularly among people of Scandinavian descent.
Some distant relatives of the Matsen surname can be found in Australia, Canada, Germany, Iceland, and Poland. Finally, the last name can also be found in the Netherlands, where it is a variant spelling of the Dutch last name Matser.
Variations of the surname Matsen
The surname Matsen is of Scandinavian origin and is derived from the Old Norse personal name Mattis. It is translated as “gift of Thor” and can be derived from the given names Matti and Mattias.
Variants of this surname include Mattsen, Mattisen, Mattison, Mathisen, Mattis, Matis, Mattissen, Mattessen, Mattiessen Mattson and Matsson.
The spelling can also change depending on the country. For example, in German countries it is sometimes spelled Mattisohn, Matsohn or Mathsohn. In Dutch countries, it is spelled Mattsen.
In terms of surnames related to Matsen, some of the more common ones include Matteson, Madsen, Matson, Matsonen, Madison, Mattson, Mathieson and Mattis.
Madsen is derived from a Danish nickname for the given names Matthias, Matheus or Mathias and is related to the Scandinavian surname Mattisson, meaning “son of Matti”.
Matson is derived from a Scandinavian given name “Matson”, which is derived from the Old Norse “Maddock”. It was used as an alternative nickname for the given name Maddison.
Matteson is a variant of the English surname Mathewson, which is derived from the Old Norse given name “Madd-hvítur”, meaning “son of Maddoc”. Madison is a derivative of this same given name.
Mattson is a Swedish derivation of the Old Norse “Maddock”, and is often translated as “Maddock’s son”. Mathieson is the Scottish form of the surname, which is derived from "Maddock" and/or "Matthew".
Finally, Mattis is a variation of the Norwegian surname Mattisson. It is derived from the pet name for the given name Matthew, Matthias, or Matheus and is sometimes translated as “son of Matti”.
Famous people with the name Matsen
- Lars Andreas Matsen: Norwegian writer, journalist, and politician.
- Marcus Matsen: Professional American athlete.
- Martin Matsen: Swedish television presenter.
- Olav Matsen: Norwegian long-distance runner and winner of the world's first long-distance running event.
- Per Matsen: Danish sculptor and painter.
- Peter Matsen: Commercial photographer and independent filmmaker.
- Rolf Matsen: Swedish politician and former Member of the European Parliament.
- Sigmund Matsen: Norwegian civil servant and solicitor.
- Stein Matsen: Norwegian diplomat and politician.
- Thomas Matsen: American artist.
- Torbjørn Matsen: Norwegian sailor, aircraft designer, pilot, and businessman.