Surname Mathieu - Meaning and Origin
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Through iGENEA DNA Test: An Intriguing Journey into Family Roots and the Mystique of Mathieu
iGENEA took me on a journey of self-discovery, unlocking layers of buried history and facets of my identity. The experience made me appreciate my surname Mathieu in a new light, connecting me to ancient Celtic roots and instilling a sense of profound belonging.
R. Mathieu
read moreMathieu: What does the surname Mathieu mean?
The surname Mathieu is derived from the Middle Ages French name Matthieu, which was the French form derived from the Greek Matthaios. The word Matthaios comes from the Hebrew language and has its roots in the Hebrew name Mattityahu or Matityah. This name originally refers to the gift of God and is roughly translated to mean “gift of God.” It can also be translated as “gift from God” or “Gift of Yahweh”.
The name is likely of biblical origin, as it was used in the Old Testament to refer to the successor of Moses, Mattityahu, son of Levi. It was then adopted by French emigrants to a variety of other European languages. The name can be found in German, Dutch, and Spanish, as well as English.
The first references to the surname Mathieu date back to the 15th century in France, where it was primarily a Christian name. It has since then been used in other countries and has remained popular throughout the centuries. Today, the name still exists as a family name in many countries around the world.
The Mathieu surname is still popular all over the world, and many famous people have the name, including writers, composers, actors, athletes, and business people. Today, many people with the Mathieu surname are successful entrepreneurs, lawyers, investors, and academics. It is a respected name in modern society, and people with the surname are often seen as modern-day achievers.
Order DNA origin analysisMathieu: Where does the name Mathieu come from?
The last name Mathieu is most often found in France today, where it is the 124th most common surname. It is also found in the French-speaking Canadian provinces and Louisiana in the United States. In France, Mathieu is thought to have come from the Latin name Mattheus, derived from the Greek Matthaios, meaning "gift of God". In the French region of Anjou, it first appears in the 10th century as a patronymic surname, borne by members of the noble Mathieu family.
Throughout its history, the Mathieu family has produced famous figures in various fields. These include Jacques Mathieu, who served as secretary to King Henry IV of France, and staff sergeant Thérèse Mathieu, a decorated female veteran of World War II.
Today, Mathieu can be most commonly found in France, where it is the 124th most common surname. It is also found throughout French-speaking Canada, mainly in the provinces of Quebec and New Brunswick. Louisiana in the United States is home to the second-largest concentration of Mathieu’s outside of France. Additionally, the name is also present in various African countries such as Benin, Cameroon, and Senegal, due to the large numbers of people who emigrated during the 19th century.
Overall, Mathieu is a surname with a long history and a widespread presence today. It is most closely associated with France, but it can also be found in many French-speaking nations and parts of the world.
Variations of the surname Mathieu
The surname Mathieu is a patronymic surname, originating from a given name associated with St. Matthew. There are a number of variations, spellings, and surnames derived from the same origin.
The more common variations in spelling are Matheu, Mathiau, and Mathew. Other variations include Mathewau, Mathyeu, Matyieu, Mattheu, and Matyau. In the Spanish language, the surname is often modified to become “Matteo” and “Matteus”. Likewise, in Italian the variation is often “Matteo” or “Matteoli”.
Surnames associated with Mathieu are Matthieu, its French form; Mateus, its Portuguese form; MacMahon, its Gaelic form; Matthys, its Dutch form; MacThew, its Scottish form; Mathis, its German form; Mattia, its Italian form; and Matteucci, its Italian form.
In countries such as Poland, the surname is often found spelt as 'Matthews'. Some Danish and Swedish variants include Mathiesen and Matheson, while Mathisen is the Norwegian variation. It is not uncommon for people with the surname Mathieu to be found with Jewish roots and spelling variations such as Matua, Matlua, Matl, and Matlo.
The derivatives of the name Mathieu can have different spellings and pronunciation depending on which language the name-bearer speaks. The various forms and variants of Mathieu illustrate the diversity of the surname. Although diverse, all the versions of this surname ultimately trace back to one origin.
Famous people with the name Mathieu
- Paul Mathieu: A French tennis player who has been ranked as high as 23rd in the world in singles.
- Lauren Sesselmann: A Canadian soccer player and former Olympian. She is currently a co-owner of the National Women's Soccer League team the Houston Dash and a coach at the MLS side FC Dallas.
- Florent Mathieu: A French musician, composer, and past French Music Academy President.
- Jérémy Mathieu: A French International Footballer who has featured for clubs such as FC Barcelona, Valencia, and Sporting CP.
- Rose Mathieu: A Haitian-Canadian author, political activist, and professor.
- Bob Mathieu: A French-Canadian professional wrestler, better known by his ring-name Bob St-Laurent.
- Pierre Mathieu: A French rugby union footballer who has featured for the French National Rugby League team, as well as Clermont and various other clubs throughout the league.
- David Mathieu: A French sprint canoer who competed in the 1992 Summer Olympics.
- Tom Mathieu: An American lacrosse player and former All-American at the University of Virginia, and currently the head coach of the Brown Bears men's lacrosse team in the Ivy League.
- Richard Mathieu: A French film director and screenwriter best known for his 1986 film Manon des sources.