Surname Mattheissen - Meaning and Origin
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Mattheissen: What does the surname Mattheissen mean?
The surname Mattheissen is of German origin, and derived from the given name Matthias. The name Matthias is derived from the Hebrew name Mattatyahu which literally translates to "Gift of God." As a surname, Mattheissen is a patronymic name, which means it is derived from the first name of the father or ancestor. The name is possibly derived from the Old German phrase "mahti-heza," meaning "mighty ruler," indicating that the first person to bear this name was a person of power or strength.
In history, the Mattheissen surname is found among some branches of the nobility in Germany as well as in places in the United States, including Pennsylvania and Ohio. It is also found in Europe in Belgium, France, Luxembourg, and Switzerland.
Today, the surname Mattheissen is not very common, although it does still exist. It is an interesting name to have, as it can provide an insight into the history and culture of the people who bear it. The name is a reminder of the sacrifices of past generations and a reminder that we, as beneficiaries of that sacrifice and hard work, should strive to honor our ancestors in our everyday lives.
Order DNA origin analysisMattheissen: Where does the name Mattheissen come from?
The last name Mattheissen is of German origin and is currently most commonly found in Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium. It is also found in the United States and India in smaller numbers.
The term “Mattheissen” is derived from the German first name Mittheis (meaning “terror”) and the German suffix “-s” (a genitive case used to denote possession). The name emerged into popularity from the Middle Ages onwards, initially being a nickname for a courageous individual with ‘fearless strength’.
In Germany, the name is found most commonly in Bavaria, the Ruhr region and North Rhine-Westphalia. It is also found in the Netherlands and Belgium, notably in the provinces of North Brabant, South Holland and East Flanders.
The name was first brought to the United States by German immigrants in the 19th century and is still relatively present there today, especially in the American midwest States such as Wisconsin, Kansas and Nebraska.
In India, Mattheissen is not a common name, however, it often appears as an output of research into British Army personnel from days gone by. During British occupation, a number of German regiments from Europe were assimilated into the British Army, which lead to a wider spread of the surname throughout India.
Variations of the surname Mattheissen
The surname Mattheissen (also spelled Matheissen, Maatje, Maathuis, Mathys, Mattheus, Matthieu, Mattheussen, Mattius, Mateus, Matess, Maess, Maesss, Mathesz, Matthijssen, Matheisen, Meyers, Meyer, Meyer's, Maes, Meisi, Matthäu, and Matthaeus) is of Dutch origin. It is derived from the given name Matthias, which means "gift of God".
The earliest recorded use of the surname is in 1583. The name has been recorded in various forms with Mattheissen being the most prevalent.
The Mattheissen name is most commonly found in the Netherlands, Germany, and United States. Other countries with people sharing this surname include England, Argentina, Canada, Belgium, Austria, Denmark, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand.
Variants and derivatives of the word tend to vary from place to place, and even within the same country. For instance, in the Netherlands, the surname is sometimes spelled with two h's instead of one, while in Germany it is sometimes spelled Matthias or Matthaeuss. In Austria, alternate spellings include Mathis and Mattheisz.
People who trace their surname back to Dutch settlers in America may find the surnames of Meyer and Maes surfacing. Meyer is derived from the German spelling of Matthew and Maes is derived from the Dutch spelling. Similarly, the American surname Mattison is derived from the Dutch name Matthys.
Regardless of the language and spelling, all of the aforementioned surname variations are all derived from the same root, Matthias.
Famous people with the name Mattheissen
- Peter Matthiessen: renowned American novelist, naturalist, wilderness writer, journalist, explorer, and CIA spy
- William K.Matthiessen: American businessman and investor, former Chairman and Chief Executive of ExxonMobil
- Carolyn Matthiessen: American classical violinist and composer
- Ferdinand Matthiessen: United States Marine Corps officer, captured during the Battle of Wake Island 1941 during World War II
- Grete Matthiessen: Swedish politician, activist, feminist, and social worker
- Leo Matthiessen: Danish ceramic artist, textile designer, silversmith, and porcelain painter
- Fritz Matthiessen: German actor, director, television producer, and playwright
- Aaron Matthiessen: American singer-songwriter and musician
- Walter Matthiessen: American painter who specialized in coastal New England landscapes
- Annika Matthiessen: German athlete, competing in the discus throw