Surname Matthiassen - Meaning and Origin
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Matthiassen: What does the surname Matthiassen mean?
The last name Matthiassen is a patronymic German surname derived from the given name Matthias, meaning “gift of God.” The name is believed to have originated in southwestern Germany, Denmark or Norway, and was first used to designate a person who was the son of a Matthias. Matthiassen is the dominant spelling of the name in Denmark, while Matthiessen is the dominant spelling in Germany.
In its early origins, Matthiassen () was likely associated with a group of people known as the Matthissingers, who took their name from the founder of their group, Matthias. These people formed a society of Christian workers who voluntarily gathered together to serve and aid members of their community in their time of need, a spirit of charity that is reflected in the meaning of the name.
Through the centuries, the name Matthiassen has evolved considerably in spelling, pronunciation, and in its meaning. Today, the name can be found all over the world, as many people with this last name have emigrated during the 19th and 20th centuries. While some still use the original German meaning of the name, the most common modern-day interpretation is “son of Matthias”, one who is the son of a Christian worker.
Order DNA origin analysisMatthiassen: Where does the name Matthiassen come from?
The last name Matthiassen is a fairly common surname in Denmark, where it is thought to have originated. The name has a patronymic origin, meaning it derived from either the first name of a father or ancestor. According to records, the name first appeared in the 13th century in the town of Helsingborg. With the migration of Danes to other parts of Europe, the name is now common in several other countries.
In the Netherlands, the name Matthiassen is found mainly in the provinces of Limburg and South-Holland. It is thought that the name was first carried over to the Netherlands in the 16th to 17th centuries. Records also show the name in Flanders, now part of Belgium, as far back as the 17th century.
In the United States, the name is most common in California, followed by New York and New Jersey. Around 7,000 people with the name Matthiassen currently reside in the US.
The name is also present in Germany, with a concentration of the surname in the areas around Hamburg and Bavaria. In Norway and Sweden, the Matthiassen name is present due to the influx of Danish migrants. Records show the surname in Norway dating back to the 19th century, and in Sweden as far back as the 17th century.
Today, Matthiassen is a fairly common surname in Europe, particularly in the North and Nordic regions.
Variations of the surname Matthiassen
The variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for the surname Matthiassen include Matthiasen, Matthiessen, Matiasen, Mathiesen, Mathiassen, Matthiósson, Matiasson, Mathiasson, Mattiasson, Mattiessen, Mattson, and Mattiasen. Some variants of this surname include Matheson, Madson, Medson, Matheissen, Mathisen, and Matthisen.
The surname Matthiassen is of Scandinavian origin. It is a patronymic surname deriving from the given name Matthias. It is an ancient name, deriving from the Hebrew personal name Mattatha, which appears in the Bible. In Scandinavia, it was adapted into Matthias. In Scandinavia, patronymic surnames were formed by adding -s or -sen to a father’s given name. Matthiassen thus means “son of Matthias”.
The first recorded use of the Matthiassen surname dates back to 1199 in Denmark. During the Middle Ages, when Europe was mainly comprised of nobility, Matthiasen was a popular name, especially among the Viking population of Scandinavia. As a result, the Matthiasen surname spread to other parts of Europe, particularly to Germany and the Netherlands. It is also found in limited numbers in the United States, Canada, and Australia.
The Matthiassen surname is still common in some parts of Scandinavia, even in the 21st century. It is also found in other countries around the world, such as Germany, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, and Australia.
Famous people with the name Matthiassen
- Freja Beha Erichsen: Danish supermodel
- Emmerik Warrer Matthiassen: Danish engineer and seismologist
- Effie Matthiassen: Danish ultramarathoner
- Uffe Møller Matthiassen: Danish judge
- Kalle Matthiassen: Australian musician
- Niels Matthiassen: Danish politician
- Claus Matthiassen: German equestrian
- Eivind Matthiassen: Norwegian footballer
- Christen Matthiassen: Norwegian mycologist
- Carl Matthiassen: Danish zoologist