Surname Matt - Meaning and Origin
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read moreMatt: What does the surname Matt mean?
The last name Matt is of German or Italian origin. It's believed to come from the Latin word "matta", which means "an old, worn out mat". There's some dispute on where the name originated from. It's possible that it may be a short form of the German word "Mattes", which means "gift of God". Alternatively, it may be derived from the Italian word "Matteo", which means "gift of Yahweh".
The surname Matt is often found among the Jewish population of eastern Europe, as it was brought into existence by Christians in the late Middle Ages. This occurred when Jews were forced to adopt Christian surnames. In some cases, the new surname reflected the original Hebrew or Jewish name, but in others, the name was completely different.
In modern times, those with the surname Matt may be found in many parts of the world, in countries such as the United States, Canada, the UK, Australia, and other countries across Europe. It is unknown how widespread the name is beyond these areas.
In recent years, the surnames Matt and Matte have both gained some popularity. So, while the exact origin of this last name is uncertain, it's likely that those with the surname Matt have some Jewish ancestry, though it may be far removed.
Order DNA origin analysisMatt: Where does the name Matt come from?
The last name Matt is most commonly found in English-speaking countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. Within the United States, the surname is distributed across the country but is most common in the southern states of Virginia and North Carolina. The name Matt is also quite common in the New England region of the country.
The last name Matt has a long history in England, and it is among the few surnames that have persisted from the Norman Conquest. It is derived from the Hebrew name Matthias, which was brought to England by Normans in the eleventh century. The origin of the name Matt is not completely certain, as some sources suggest it could be derived from various other names, such as Matthew and Marmaduke.
Today, the Matt surname is used by thousands of people around the world and has become a global phenomenon. It is the 83rd most common surname in the United States and the 276th most common surname in the United Kingdom. Furthermore, the surname is also popular in the Netherlands, Germany, France, and Sweden.
Overall, the last name Matt is quite common in today’s world, considering its long history and wide geographical distribution. It is used by countless people in English-speaking countries as well as other parts of the world.
Variations of the surname Matt
The surname Matt is an Anglicized version of the Irish name Mac Giolla Mhaoil, which is a patronymic name derived from the Gaelic given name Maol. Additionally, the English and German spelling of Matt is Matthaei or Matthaeuss. In some cases, variants or spellings of Matt may have been influenced by a particular dialect or pronunciation, leading to variant names like Mattis, Mathews, Mathewes and Mathewsons.
Other surnames derived from Mac Giolla Mhaoil include MacAulay, MacIlwraith, MacMillan, MacIlwain, MacGillivray and MacGill. These surnames are all derived from the same root and can sometimes be found spelled differently in different parts of the world.
Variant spellings can also be found because of certain regional dialects or pronunciations, such as Max,Mact, Matoo and McIlwraith. Different spellings can also occur in different countries and regions, such as Matheson in Ireland, Matos in Portugal and Mattison in England.
In the United States, it is also common to see surname variants of Matt such as Matuszak, Mathäus, Maddox, Mattson and Mathieu. Some of these variant forms also have their own unique spellings, such as Mathaeus and Matheis.
In summary, the surname Matt is an Anglicized version of the Irish name Mac Giolla Mhaoil. Variants, spellings and surnames that are also derived from this root include MacAulay, Mathewes, MacIlwraith, Maddux, Mattson, Mathaeus and Matheis. As such, there are a wide variety of surnames that can be traced to the same origin.
Famous people with the name Matt
- Matt Damon: Matt Damon is a prominent Hollywood actor and producer who is most famous for his starring roles in action films such as the "Bourne" series, "The Talented Mr. Ripley" and "Good Will Hunting".
- Matt LeBlanc: Matt LeBlanc is an American actor most recognized for his portrayal of Joey Tribbiani on the popular television sitcom "Friends".
- Matt Roberts: Matt Roberts is a songwriter, recording artist and lead singer of the American rock band, 3 Doors Down.
- Matt Lauer: Matt Lauer is an American television journalist who is best known for his lengthy tenure with "The Today Show" and as the host of the annual "Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade".
- Matt Lattanzi: Matt Lattanzi is an American actor most famous for his roles in the films such as "My Tutor" and "Xanadu".
- Matt Moylan: Matt Moylan is an Australian professional rugby player who is widely regarded as one of the best players in the National Rugby League.
- Matt Bellamy: Matt Bellamy is an English musician, singer and songwriter who is the lead singer and guitarist for the alternative rock band Muse.
- Matt Hughes: Matt Hughes is an American Mixed Martial Artist who is a former Ultimate Fighting Championship Welterweight Champion.
- Matt Bomer: Matt Bomer is an American actor, producer, director and singer who is most recognized for his roles in "White Collar", "The Normal Heart" and "Magic Mike".
- Matt Stafford: Matt Stafford is an American football player who is currently the quarterback for the Detroit Lions.