Surname Altermatt - Meaning and Origin

Altermatt: What does the surname Altermatt mean?

Altermatt is a surname of Swiss origin. It is derived from a place name, specifically a town named Altermatt in Switzerland. The name itself is composed of two parts 'alter', which means 'old' in German, and 'matt', which is a term found in many Swiss-German place names that means 'meadow'. Therefore, Altermatt roughly translates to 'old meadow'. It signifies a family that originally came from this place. Like many European surnames, Altermatt is an example of a toponymic surname, a type of surname which is based on a geographical location. It's important to note that variations of the spelling can exist due to regional dialects and variations in the translation over time.

Altermatt: Where does the name Altermatt come from?

The surname Altermatt has Swiss-German origins. It is a topographic name for someone who lived in or near a pasture or a meadow, deriving from the Middle High German terms "alter," meaning old, and "matte," meaning meadow or pasture. So, the literal translation would be "old pasture". This suggests that the earliest bearers of the name might have lived or worked in such a location.

Today, the surname Altermatt remains commonly found in Switzerland, particularly in the German-speaking region. It is less common in other parts of the world. Small populations bearing the surname can also be found in countries like the United States, Germany, Argentina, and Chile, usually due to migration. Although it is not a highly common name globally speaking, it has significance within the Swiss diaspora community.

Variations of the surname Altermatt

The surname Altermatt, of Swiss origin, seems to be fairly unique with not many known variations. It is most common in Switzerland, specifically in the regions of Lucerne and Aargau. The name probably derives from a place name, i.e., a “Altermatten” that means “old meadow,” however there are few significant spelling variants or closely related surnames due to its uncommonness and specific regional usage. Names of similar spelling but not necessarily related would include Alterman or Alter.

The surname could have variant spellings based on regional dialects and interpretation, such as "Aaltermatt" or "Altermatte". It's also possible that there could be non-Swiss variations or adaptations of the name in countries where Swiss emigrants have settled, for example in Germany or within the United States. If a member of the Altermatt family emigrated, the spelling of their surname might have been altered to fit the phonetic and/or spelling norms of their new home.

There may also exist surname variations for those tied to the Altermatt family through marriage or non-traditional means. Even with these potential variations, this surname is unique and specific, more often maintaining its original form, Altermatt.

Famous people with the name Altermatt

• Jennifer Altermatt: American model and artist
• Urs Altermatt: Swiss sociologist and political scientist
• Thomas Altermatt: Swiss footballer
• Rob Altermatt: Australian sculptor
• Benno Altermatt: Swiss painter
• Justus Altermatt: Swiss-American actor and producer
• Jon Altermatt: Swiss politician and business executive
• Alex Altermatt: Swiss-American engineer and entrepreneur
• Alexander Altermatt: Swiss chess Grandmaster
• Bette Altermatt: American professional bowler
• Katrina Altermatt Romano: American model
• Stephen Altermatt: American lawyer
• Marius Altermatt: Swiss programmer and web developer
• Denis Altermatt: Swiss basketball coach
• Mathias Altermatt: Swiss mineralogist and scientist

Other surnames

Alterman