Surname Mathew - Meaning and Origin

Mathew: What does the surname Mathew mean?

The last name Mathew is of Hebrew origin and means "gift of God". Derived from the Hebrew name Matityahu, it was transformed into Greek as Matthaios, which then became Matthew in English and Mathew in Welsh. The name is often associated with the New Testament of the Bible, where Matthew is one of the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ, known for being a tax collector before becoming an apostle. Many variations of the name exist within different cultures, including the French Matthieu, Spanish Mateo, and Italian Matteo among others. It is a popular surname in Wales and is often a given name in Christian families, chosen in honor of the biblical apostle and the qualities he displayed.

Mathew: Where does the name Mathew come from?

The last name Mathew is derived from the Hebrew personal name "Matityahu" which means gift of God. This name was Latinized to "Matthaeus" and subsequently shortened to "Mathew". It became popular as a given name during the Middle Ages mainly due to the apostle Saint Matthew, who is recognized as one of the twelve apostles of Jesus in Christianity, and is also regarded as a saint in many Christian denominations. After the Protestant Reformation, it became common to use biblical names as surnames.

The surname Mathew is common among Christian communities around the world. It can be found in varying spellings across different regions. It's notably prevalent in Wales, as well as in other parts of the United Kingdom. In modern times, the surname has also become widely used in countries where English is spoken, which includes the United States, Canada, and Australia. Elsewhere, it is common in regions of India, particularly in Kerala, where it is used by Syrian Christian communities.

Variations of the surname Mathew

The surname Mathew is predominantly of Welsh origin. Variants and alternate spellings for this surname include Matthew, Matthews, and Mathews. The name was often Latinized as Mathaeus and its Hebrew form is Mattiyahu. There are also other language variations such as Mattheus in Dutch and Portuguese, Matteo in Italian, Mathieu in French, and Mateo in Spanish.

Surnames derived from the Mathew surname can include Matheson and Mathis in some regions. Mathew is the English form derived from the Greek Matthaios, which is also used as a variant.

However, it's worth mentioning that last names can differ regionally and by country of origin. The spelling of the surname can often change due to cultural differences, phonetic pronunciation, or translation issues between languages, making it a diverse and widespread surname across the globe.

Irish and Scottish forms of the name can also include M'Math and MacMath, respectively. This surname may also have a prefix, such as "Mac," resulting in names like MacMath or McMathew.

It's essential to note that variations in surname spelling can occur due to a range of factors, including regional dialects and phonetic spellings, lineage, and personal preference.

Famous people with the name Mathew

• Alexi Mathew: Alexi Mathew is an actress best known for her roles in long running soap operas like Hollyoaks and Coronation Street.
• Gordon Mathew: Gordon Mathew is an award-winning British producer known for his work on films like "Love Actually" and "The King's Speech".
• Theodore Mathew: Theodore Mathew was a noted Canadian philosopher and author, famous for his works on the philosophy of art.
• Mahesh Mathew: Mahesh Mathew is an Indian journalist and entrepreneur who is the founder of the news and entertainment portal, NewsBarons.
• Kailash Mathew: Kailash Mathew is an Indian scientist and professor of organic chemistry, who has conducted extensive research in the fields of drug design and molecular biology.
• Mary Mathew: Mary Mathew is an Indian Olympian, having represented India in the pole vault events.
• Henley Mathew: Henley Mathew is a famous English painter, who is known for his paintings of landscapes, still life and portraits.
• Calen Mathew: Calen Mathew is an Indian actor, best known for his roles in the popular TV series, Mann Ki Awaz.
• Ardechir Mathew: Ardechir Mathew is an international journalist and media personality, who is well known for his work in BBC World Service.
• Montez Mathew: Montez Mathew is an American actor and singer, best known for his role in the popular musical, "Oklahoma!"

Other surnames

MatheasMatheisMatheiselMatheisenMatheislMatheisonMatheissMatherMatherellMathernMathernerMathesMathesiusMathesonMatheusMathewesMathewsMathewson