Surname Mattheß - Meaning and Origin
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Mattheß: What does the surname Mattheß mean?
The surname Mattheß is of German origin and is a patronymic surname derived from the given name Mattheis (Mathias). Patronymic surnames are derived from the given name of the father of the bearers. In this case, it is a variant of the given name Mathias, which is ultimately derived from the Hebrew name Mattiyahu, meaning "gift of YHWH".
The German surname Mattheß is somewhat uncommon in some parts of Germany, and even more uncommon outside of the German speaking world. In some records, the name is found spelled with a double-s, indicating that it may have originally been a contraction of some longer given name, such as Matthäus, Matthaus, or Matthias.
As with many German surnames, Mattheß is an occupational surname, mainly derived from the most common occupation of the family, which is usually farming or working the land. These families may also have worked as smiths or craftsmen, as well as other professions.
Many families bearing the surname Mattheß remain in Germany to this day, and some have migrated to other countries, where their surname may have various spellings, either through immigration or the process of adapting to new languages. Here, the surname Mattheß may also have been adapted into other surnames, such as Matthews, Matthäus, Matthieu, Mathieu, and others categories.
Order DNA origin analysisMattheß: Where does the name Mattheß come from?
The last name Mattheß is most commonly found in the German-speaking parts of Europe, especially in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein. It is also known to appear in other countries, although its prevalence may be lower. The earliest historical records of the Mattheß surname appears in Germany in the late 1500s, indicating it has been an established family name for hundreds of years.
Most people with the Mattheß last name have their roots in the German culture, and some may trace their family lineages back to almost 500 years ago. While the frequency of the last name may have varied over time, it is likely that some Mattheß are descendants of the same ancestor.
The exact origin of the last name Mattheß is unknown, but it is generally believed to be derived from the Germanic words “matt,” meaning hemp, and “heß,” meaning onerous. Some people believe it may refer to someone who wore hemp clothing or worked with hemp fibers. Other interpretations suggest it could be a reference to someone with a strong or prominent presence, as the word “heß” can also mean powerful or authoritative.
Today, Mattheß is most commonly seen in German-speaking parts of Europe, particularly Germany. This is likely due to the fact that the family likely originated in that area, although there may be other Mattheß descendants elsewhere as well.
Variations of the surname Mattheß
The surname Mattheß can be found in many alternative variants and spellings, depending on the region or country.
In Germany, some common variations include Mattes, Matthes, Matusek, and Mattesser. In the Netherlands, the name is spelled as Mathissen, which is the most common variation. In France, the name may be spelled as Mathez, Mathis, or Mathieu. Other variations in different countries may include Mathay, Mathe, Mathel, Mathys, and Mathieu.
In addition, there are several associated surnames that share the same origin and may be variants of Mattheß. These include Maders, Mathizon, Maderic, Mattheus, Matheau, Mathon, Mathou, Matthieu, and Mathee.
The Mattheß surname is derived from the Old German word “mathez”, which means “gift”. The name is most likely a patronymic name - a name derived from the father’s given name - and is a common surname throughout Germany. It is also believed to be an occupational surname, originally referring to a person who worked in the law, or as a counselor or advisor.
Famous people with the name Mattheß
- Reinhard Matheß: German actor who has starred in various films and TV series.
- Berthold Matheß: Late medieval German composer, organist, and cleric.
- Ulrich Matheß: German theologian, philosopher, and professor at the University of Jena.
- Dietrich Matheß: Late 17th century German painter
- Gotthelf Matthäß: Former Mayor of Mainz, Germany
- Bob Mattheß: Former German athlete, shot putter, javelin thrower, and decathlete who represented West Germany in the 1952 and 1956 Olympics
- Alfred Matheß: Former Austrian gymnast
- Johann Michael Matheß: 18th century German painter
- Shiva Mattheß: German musician and songwriter
- Antonio Mattheß: Brazilian-German pop artist and singer
- Egon Matheß: Former Austrian boxer and Olympic silver medalist