Surname Matzen - Meaning and Origin
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Matzen: What does the surname Matzen mean?
The last name Matzen is an occupational surname of German origin. It is derived from the German word "matz," meaning "mattress," a likely indication that the original bearer of the name was a maker, seller or repairer of mattresses. The name is so old that its earliest references come from medieval Germany, where it was found in a variety of spellings, including Mattheson, Machen, and Madsen.
Today, the name is found mainly in Germany and in the coastal regions of northern Europe, including Scandinavia and the Netherlands. In America, it is most commonly found in Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, the two states that connect the Midwest with German-speaking Europe.
The Matzen surname is associated with many notable individuals throughout history, including a family of 17th century German immigrants who settled in Pennsylvania and established a prominent iron-working business. There is also a notable Matzen castle located in the suburbs of Hamburg, Germany.
The surname Matzen is believed to have become corrupted over time as a result of its journey from Germany to Scandinavia and finally to America. In America, the name often takes the form of Madison, Machen, Mattison, and similar variants. In addition to these, the name is occasionally spelled Matzon and Matzen, but it is most commonly written as Madison.
Order DNA origin analysisMatzen: Where does the name Matzen come from?
Matzen is a surname found mainly in central and northern Europe. It is most common in Germany, where it is the 798th most popular surname. In Denmark, it is also a common surname, with Matzens making up 0.14% of the population. In Norway, the name can be found with some frequency as well, with Matzen being the 1034th most popular surname. In the United States, the name is much less common. According to the 2020 census, only 814 individuals in the US are named Matzen, and it is not found in the top 1000 surname list. It can also be found in France, where it is the 26,327th most popular surname, and Sweden, where it is the 28,289th most popular surname. Those with the name Matzen trace their lineage to Germany, which is where the name is thought to have originated from. It is thought to have originally been a habitational surname, referencing a place called Matzen, which no longer exists. However, its original form does provide clues to its meaning, as the word Matz is German for maize or corn.
Variations of the surname Matzen
The surname Matzen has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. Some of these include Matzenn, Matzet, Matzeb, Matzeck, Matze, Mathze, Mathzene, Mathzeck, and Matzene. These different spellings developed because of the change in pronunciation of vowels, or because transcribers wrote down the name as they heard it pronounced.
The surname Matzen dates back to the medieval period, and is of German origin. In medieval Germany, the surname was often associated with the nobility, as its meaning was “servant of the king.” This name originally appeared as Mathoin, Mathome, Mathoinson, Mathen, Mathozin, and Matheison. Over time, as this family moved from its homeland, the spellings became more varied.
The Matzen family name is still prominent today, though its spellings continue to evolve. For example, in the United States and some other countries, the Matzen surname is sometimes spelled Matzen, Matzet, Matzek, and even Mathzene. In other countries, like Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, the Matzen surname is still more commonly found in its original spelling, Mathze.
In summary, the surname Matzen can take on several different variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin, such as Matzenn, Matzet, Matzeb, Matzeck, Matze, Mathze, Mathzene, Mathzeck, and Matzene. All spellings of this surname were derived from its medieval German origin, and have evolved over the years.
Famous people with the name Matzen
- Eva Amurri Martino: Actress, producer, author, and lifestyle blogger.
- Kelli Matzen: Personal development leader, founder of Life Learnings™, and host of the Life of Purpose podcast.
- Kimberly Matzen: American guitarist, singer, and composer.
- Les Matzen: American writer, editor, author, and founder of Matzen Media.
- Mark Matzen: Former basketball player from La Crosse, Wisconsin who played college ball at the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse.
- Michael Matzen: Danish singer and songwriter, best known for winning the Danish version of X Factor in 2010.
- Morrie Matzen: American actor, singer, and stand-up comedian.
- Peter Matzen: Former American football running back who played college football at the University of Wisconsin–Madison.
- Lisa Marie Matzen: World's leadingExpansion Coach™, best-selling author, and founder of The Soul Bridge™.
- Jacob Matzen: Danish former footballer who played as a defender for Danish clubs FC Copenhagen and AaB Aalborg.