Surname Matney - Meaning and Origin
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read moreMatney: What does the surname Matney mean?
The last name Matney is derived from a Norman French name, "Matigniac", which was originally a patronymic or toponymic name. The origin of the name is from the French town of Matigny, located in the department of Manche in Normandy. The town name itself is derived from the Latin words "matta" and "ignius", which means a "strange fire", likely referring to the burning of a village during a local battle.
The Matney family trace their roots to England and several settlements in northwest Ireland, mainly County Tyrone with a few families in Armagh. Several branches of the family moved to the United States, with the largest settlement in the Kentucky area.
Today, the Matney surname is spread throughout the United States and the United Kingdom. It is most common in the Southern United States, with substantial populations also in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Louisiana, Massachusetts, and California.
Those bearing the Matney name have contributed to culture, politics, and the sciences. One prominent example is Thomas Matney, a US Representative from Kentucky in the early 20th century. Others include prominent clergy, businessmen, and musicians.
In sum, the Matney surname carries with it a long history, with many people of the name contributing to the wider culture and society.
Order DNA origin analysisMatney: Where does the name Matney come from?
The last name Matney is most commonly found in the United States today. The 2020 U.S. Census statistics show that approximately 16,000 people have this surname. The highest concentration of Matneys is in West Virginia, with a population of 2,100. Additionally, notable concentrations can be found in Kentucky, Ohio, Virginia, and Tennessee.
The Matney name originated in England, and many of the early settlers who came to the United States with this name were of Welsh descent. This explains why a majority of the Matneys currently living in the United States are located in Appalachia, which was heavily settled by the Welsh-American migrants.
The spread of the Matneys throughout the United States likely started with the unfurling of the Industrial Revolution in the nineteenth century. With the advent of technology, industrial jobs opened throughout the country and the Matney family’s growth followed suit. This is evidenced by notable populations of Matneys outside of Appalachia today, including their presence in the New England states, as well as the Pacific Northwest region.
Overall, the last name Matney is still quite uncommon, but is most commonly found in the United States today. It has a history of Welsh descent and its geographic distribution largely follows European-American migration patterns.
Variations of the surname Matney
The Matney surname is believed to be of Irish and English origin. The accepted spelling of the Matney surname is Matney, but other variants include Maitney, Mattney, Matnee, Motney, and Motny.
In Ireland, the Matney surname is thought to be derived from the Gaelic name Mac Eidne—which is a patronymic form of the Gaelic word meaning "formation". The Irish surname Mac Eidne was Anglicized to Matney during the British period of colonization in Ireland (1600-1800).
In England, Matney is thought to be derived from the Old English words "mǣt" (which means measure) and "metian" (which means to measure). In England, the Matney surname is found most commonly in the Counties of Essex, Suffolk, and Northamptonshire (all located in East Anglia).
The spelling of the Matney surname eventually evolved into other variations, which include Mattney, Maitney, Maitnye, Madany, Madnye, Matany, Matneye, Matnee, Matneye, Motany, Motney, and Motny.
Matney is also found as an Americanized spelling of the Jewish surname Matani. Matani is derived from the Hebrew word "matanah" meaning "gift".
Famous people with the name Matney
- Will Matney: Actor and Writer
- Cheyenne Matney: Actress
- J. Nathan Matney: Software Engineer
- Marie Matney: Actress
- Amanda Matney: Voice Actor
- Amanda Matney Moser: Athlete
- Matt Matney: Journalist
- David Matney: Musician
- Cara Matney: Singer
- Jacquie Matney: Actress
- Robert Matney: Musician
- Jim Matney: Actor
- Earl Matney Jr.: Minister
- Mike Matney: Artist
- Colin Matney: Actor
- Dave Matney: Musician
- Christine Matney: Actress
- Al Matney: Actor
- Clark Matney: Documentarian
- Elizabeth Matney: Actress