Surname Mathieson - Meaning and Origin

Mathieson: What does the surname Mathieson mean?

The last name Mathieson is of Scottish origin and it is a patronymic surname derived from the given name Matthew, which in turn is derived from the Hebrew name Matityahu meaning "gift of God." The suffix -son implies 'son of,' hence, Mathieson can be understood as 'son of Matthew.' This method of surname formation was common in Scotland in the Middle Ages, where a son would often be identified by his father's name. The spelling variations of this surname include Matheson, Mathison, Mathewson, and others. The name Mathieson is popularly seen in Scotland and other countries due to Scottish diaspora. Over centuries, this surname has been associated with many notable personalities in various fields like arts, sports, politics, science, and more.

Mathieson: Where does the name Mathieson come from?

The surname Mathieson originates from Scotland. It is a patronymic name derived from the personal name Matthew and literally means "son of Matthew". Matthew comes from the Hebrew personal name "Mattathiah" meaning "gift of God."

In the late 13th century, the name Mathieson was first found in the Scottish region of Caithness, and over time spread throughout Scotland and into northern England. However, due to historic migration patterns, it is also found globally wherever there are Scottish diasporas. While still common in Scotland, it is pervasive in countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, where many Scottish people have emigrated over the centuries.

Being a fairly common name, it is seen across these countries in varying numbers. However, it is most prominently seen in the areas of Scotland and the United States. Various spelling variations of the name Mathieson have also been documented, including Matheson, Mathieson, Mathie, Mathis, Mathes, Mathies, Mateson, Matheison, Mathison, Matthison, Mathyson, Madyson, and many more.

Variations of the surname Mathieson

The surname Mathieson originates from Scotland and it essentially means "son of Matthew." Because of different phonetic interpretations and translations, several variants and spellings have developed over time.

Some prominent variants include Mattison, Mathison, Matheson, Matthieson, Matthewson, Mathewson, and Mathiasen. In addition, due to the patronymic nature of the name - which denotes "son of Matthew" - other surnames that come from the same root, Matthew, can be considered. This could extend to names such as Matthews, Mattson, Maddison, Madison, and Matthiessen.

It should be noted that differences in spelling might also be due to geographical regions, for instance, people in Denmark or Norway might have the surname Mathiasen, which has the same origin but different spelling due to language differences. Furthermore, names can also evolve over time, adding more confusion to tracking down the exact derivatives. For instance, Madison started as a derivation of Mathieson, but it is now widely accepted as a standalone name.

Therefore, one single surname could have myriad derivatives, making genealogical research complex and intricate.

Famous people with the name Mathieson

• Alf Mathieson: Film Editor. Alf Mathieson was an English film editor who worked on over a hundred films between 1945 and 1973. He began his career at the BBC in the 1930s.
• Chad Mathieson: American Actor. Chad Mathieson is an American actor who has starred in films such as The Coen Brothers' Intolerable Cruelty, The Italian Job and The Break-Up.
• Andrew Mathieson: English Actor. Andrew Mathieson is an English actor who has appeared in TV shows such as The Bill, Heartbeat, Waking the Dead and Midsomer Murders.
• Joe Mathieson: Scottish Footballer. Joe Mathieson was a Scottish football player who played for Celtic and Hearts in the 1930s and 1940s.
• Dave Mathieson: Scottish Musician. Dave Mathieson is a Scottish musician who has toured with bands such as Altered Images, Big Country and Ross Anderson.
• Dick Mathieson: Scottish Journalist. Dick Mathieson was an acclaimed Scottish journalist who worked for the Glasgow Herald, The Scotsman and BBC Radio.
• Archie Mathieson: Scottish Composer. Archie Mathieson was a Scottish composer who wrote the songs ‘When Scotsmen Gather’ and ‘The Battle for Scotland’.
• Peter Mathieson: British Academic. Professor Sir Peter Mathieson is a British academic who was previously the Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Edinburgh.
• Lorna Mathieson: British Writer. Lorna Mathieson is a British author who has written several children’s books, such as the Waterman Series and The Rhyme of Artful Dodging.
• Jim Mathieson: Canadian Politician. Jim Mathieson was a Progressive Conservative Canadian politician who represented the riding of Albany from 1982 to 1997.

Other surnames

MathiesMathiesenMathiessen