Surname Mattis - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'M'
Mattis: What does the surname Mattis mean?
The surname Mattis is of early medieval English origin. It is derived from the biblical Hebrew personal name Mattityahu, meaning "gift of God". This was adopted into the Greek New Testament as Matthaios, and later shortened to Matthias. Over centuries, in order to make it more understandable and pronounceable for local people, these names evolved into many different forms in different countries and regions. One of these forms is Mattis. The surname may have been a patronymic name, given to someone who was the "son of Matthew" or "son of Matthias". Like many surnames that were derived from the names of saints and biblical figures, the popularity of the name Mattis was spread throughout Europe in the Middle Ages mainly due to devout Christians, who used to name their children after the names of popular saints in the hope of ensuring the child's protection under the saint's patronage. Please bear in mind that surnames' meanings can vary based on their region of origin and the evolution of language.
Order DNA origin analysisMattis: Where does the name Mattis come from?
The surname Mattis is of Hebrew origin. It originates from the biblical name Mattityahu (Matthew) which means "Gift of Yahweh". It primarily evolved in the medieval period in the Ashkenazi Jewish communities of Central and Eastern Europe.
However, the surname is also found in many other regions due to migration and diaspora. It is prevalent in the United States, where it got wider recognition because of James Mattis, the former Secretary of Defense. Additionally, it's also seen in European countries like Germany and France, and it is relatively common in Israel due to the significant Jewish population.
Despite its Hebrew origin, the name is not limited to Jewish individuals or families today. It has crossed cultural and ethnic lines over centuries and has been adopted by Christians, especially in the United States and Western Europe. In some cases, Mattis is also used as a first name.
Variations of the surname Mattis
The surname Mattis originated from the personal name Matthaios or Matthew, which translates to 'gift of Yahweh' in Hebrew. It has undergone various spelling alterations rendering to various derivatives and versions. Some of its variants include: Mattes, Mattes, Matthis, Mathis, Matthes, Matthus, Matthies, Matthiessen, and Mattison - typically of German or Scandinavian origin.
For similar surnames, consider: Matthison, Matthewson, Maddison, Madison, Mattsson, Matson, Matheson, and Mathewson, mainly known in English, Swedish, or Scottish contexts.
Furthermore, it may also be spelled with single "t" such as Matis or Matus. In certain regions, the prefix 'Mac' or 'Mc' (Meaning 'son of') is added, giving rise to surnames such as MacMath, McMath, MacMatthias, McMatthias, MacMaddy, and McMaddy.
Sometimes, an '-s' or '-sen' might be added, which also means 'son of', such as in Mathiesen, Mathewsen, or Mattisens.
It's important to note that the differences in spelling can be due to region, language, or just preference, so it's possible there are other less common variations that aren't listed here.
Famous people with the name Mattis
- Jim Mattis: Former U.S. Secretary of Defense from 2017-2018
- John Mattis: Croatian entrepreneur and hotel owner
- Jane Mattis: British actress and singer
- Robert Mattis: American computer scientist
- John A. Mattis: American politician from the state of Florida
- Peter Mattis: Member of the World Bank Group
- Mel Mattis: American politician from the state of Florida
- Jesse Mattis: American Major League Baseball pitcher
- Kathryn Mattis: American artist
- Raisa Mattis: Russian painter