Surname Matherner - Meaning and Origin

Matherner: What does the surname Matherner mean?

The last name Matherner is a surname that originated in central Europe. It is a combination of two distinct words: the German word "Mutter" meaning mother, and the Old High German word "Erner" meaning butcher. The name is therefore thought to refer to someone who was a "mother butcher".

In the Middle Ages, attitudes towards women in butchering roles varied greatly. It was thought that only men could handle dangerous tasks and cutting-up large pieces of meat. But on the other hand, some communities allowed women to do the same work, albeit for a more limited range of functions. It is likely that the name Matherner refers to a butchering family which allowed women to do the butchering.

The name first appeared in the records in the 15th century in the town of Number in present day Germany. The Matherner family appears to have had a history of making important contributions to their local community and by the 17th century, the family had become prominent members of German society.

Today, the Matherner surname remains common amongst German-speaking populations and is found in countries around the world. And while its original meaning has been lost to the present day, the name still stands as a testament to the ingenuity and resourcefulness of the medieval forebears who first bore it.

Matherner: Where does the name Matherner come from?

The last name Matherner is mostly found today in the United States, particularly in Florida, California, New York, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania. It also has roots in South Africa, and its existence is believed to have originated there in the 16th or 17th century.

Matherners of Germanic origin living in the United States are generally descended from immigrants from the Palatinate region of Germany around the 1700s. They were among the early settlers of New England in the 1600s and 1700s, and later spread all over the country.

The Matherner name in South Africa has been prevalent since the 1600s, when German immigrants established small farms there. It has since influenced the English language in the region, forming the basis of many Afrikaans words.

Matherner is the shortened form of the German surname “Matterner”, which was derived from Matthias, the German version of Matthew. The modern forms of the name Matherner include Matterner, Mahner, Maderner, Mattner, Maederner, and Matraner. It is often mispronounced as Maunder.

Matherner is a relatively uncommon name even today, although it is one of the oldest and most respected Germanic surnames. It carries a long and proud history, and is an important reminder of the Germanic people’s rich cultural heritage.

Variations of the surname Matherner

The Matherner surname is commonly spelled as ‘Matherner’, ‘Matheuer’, ‘Mathauer’ and ‘Matthaur’. It is believed to have descended from a Hungarian or German origin and is also shared by other related surnames that originate from the same source. These related surnames include Mathauer, Matheuer, Mattherner, Mathner, Mahner, Mahrner, Matherney, Mathesner, Mathisen, Mahnken, Matthaus, Matthes, Mattern, and Mahn.

The surname Matherner is traditionally associated with a specific region located in Southwestern Germany known as Alsace-Lorraine. This area is now divided between France and Germany, but the Matherner family is most likely of German origin. The Matherner surname is relatively rare and can be found in records dating as far back as the 16th century.

It is possible that the Matherner surname is a variation of the name Matheuse, which is also found in German records. This and other variations such as Matheuer, Matthaur, Mathauer, Mahner, Matherney, and Mathesner, are all derived from the German name Mather which means “master” or “lord of soil”.

The research of ancient family trees indicates that the Matherner family began in the 28th century, when a family from the kingdom of Bavaria began using the name Matherner. This family also spread to Czechoslovakia, Romania, and Austria in the early 19th century and later emigrated to the United States in the mid-1800s.

The Matherner family name still survives in many areas of the world, including the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, Germany, Austria, and France. The descendants of these families are likely to carry a variation of the name, either from an ancestral surname or a more modern adaptation.

Famous people with the name Matherner

• Henry Matherner: an American theatre producer and stage director whose credits include The Music Man, 1776, Oklahoma!, and Fiddler on the Roof.
• Max Matherner: an American doctor and researcher who was influential in the development of the medical specialty of anesthesia.
• Charles Matherner: an American Violin virtuoso and the first American to appear as a soloist with the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra.
• Eric Matherner: an American actor, best known for his work in the films Rocky IV, Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure, and Die Hard 2.
• Mark Matherner: an American theatre and film composer, whose works include A Chorus Line and Sweeney Todd.
• Sophia Matherner: an American singer-songwriter and actress, known for her work in the musicals Into the Woods and Little Shop of Horrors.
• Alexander Matherner: an American sculptor and painter, who created the sculpture of George Washington that graces the U.S. Capitol Rotunda.
• Mary Matherner: an American writer and editor who was influential in the growth of the environmental movement in the United States.
• Seth Matherner: an American philanthropist and investor, who has contributed to charities such as the Children's Hospital of Los Angeles and the United Nations World Food Programme.
• Howard Matherner: an American businessman and inventor most well-known for pioneering advancements in the fields of robotics and computer science.

Other surnames

Mathern