Surname Mathiessen - Meaning and Origin

Mathiessen: What does the surname Mathiessen mean?

The last name Mathiessen is an occupational surname originating in Germany. It is derived from the German phrase "Mathes Alternate", which means "mattress maker". In some cases, the name might have been adopted by someone with a connection to that profession, such as a son or grandson of a mattress maker. Alternatively, it could have been adopted by a family that moved to a region where mattress making was particularly widespread or profitable.

In the mid-19th century, the surname Mathiessen spread beyond Germany to other parts of the world, including England, France, and the United States. As a result, the name is now widespread across multiple countries, with variations in spelling, such as Mathisen, Matheison, and Mattesen.

Today, the name Mathiessen is still associated with mattress makers and upholsterers. In fact, some families have preserved the tradition for generations. Others may simply appreciate the tradition associated with the name, or the familial connection that comes with having a shared surname. Whether the name is rooted in a profession or passed down through the generations, it remains an indicator of one's heritage.

Mathiessen: Where does the name Mathiessen come from?

The last name Mathiessen is most common in Germany, where it ranks at 173rd according to proven.org. It is also found in Scandanavia, particularly Norway, where there are pockets of people bearing the name. In Sweden, Mathiessen is the 2,213th most common last name, and in Norway it is the 2,793rd.

However, the name is found all around the world as people of Scandinavian descent have migrated and settled in Europe, USA, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. In the United States, the name Mathiessen is ranked 10,453rd.

The last name Mathiessen derives from the Germanic personal name Mathematias. It is believed that it was brought to Scandinavia by German settlers. The name is also found as Mattiesen and Matissen; variations that sometimes rotate back to the original spelling over time.

The Mathiessen name was popular in the 14th to 16th centuries in northern Germany. Many Mathiessens made their living as fishermen. Several branches of the Mathiessens settled in the northern region of Jutland, which is at the base of the Danish territories.

In today's day and age, the Mathiessen legacy lives on throughout the world.

Variations of the surname Mathiessen

Mathiessen is a German surname which can be spelled in many different variations. One of the common variations is Matthiessen, with double EE in the middle instead of a single I. Whilst this spelling is most common in Germany, it can also be found in other countries such as Sweden, Denmark, Norway, and the United States. Other variants include Mathiassen, Matthaessen, Mathesen and Mathiasson.

The Mathiessen surname can also be found with slight changes in spelling in different countries. In Dutch, for example, the surname can be seen spelled as Matheesen, Matheessen or Matheissen. In some cases, the surname can be spelt with two Ts instead of one, for example Matthiesen, Matthisse, Matthise, Mathiesse and Mathise.

In the United States, the Mathiessen surname can also be found with variations such as Mathisen, Mathiesen, Mathisson and Mattison, as well as Matuscak, Mauthe and Mathewson – although these last variants probably came from a different origin altogether.

The various spellings of Mathiessen are probably a result of adaptation to different languages, such as Dutch, from the original German form. Such adaptation and spelling variations have been seen throughout history, and the fact that these surnames have endured for centuries is evidence of the popularity of the name.

Famous people with the name Mathiessen

• Peter Mathiessen: American writer, naturalist, and political activist
• Christian Mathiessen: Norwegian film director
• Laurits Mathiessen: Norwegian photographer
• Christopher Mathiessen: American musician and composer
• Ingrid Mathiessen: Canadian singer-songwriter and storyteller
• Robert Mathiessen: American publisher and politician
• Henry Mathiessen III: American industrialist and philanthropist
• Robert Mathiessen Jr.: American investment banker
• Harry Mathiessen: Dutch Olympic gymnast
• Ernst Mathiessen: German actor and singer
• Henk Mathiessen: Dutch cyclist
• Stephen Mathiessen: Canadian philosopher
• Chantal Mathiessen: Austrian figure skater
• Torsten Mathiessen: German footballer
• Klaas Mathiessen: Dutch handballer
• Günther Mathiessen: German bobsledder
• Krista Mathiessen: Danish actress and dancer
• Michael Mathiessen: Danish composer and saxophonist
• Nancy Mathiessen: French violinist and educator
• Christopher Mathiessen: American actor and producer

Other surnames

MathiesMathiesenMathieson