Surname Matthiass - Meaning and Origin
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Matthiass: What does the surname Matthiass mean?
The last name Matthiass is of German origin and is a patronymic surname, meaning it is derived from the given name Matthias. This male given name is derived from the Greek Matthaios (gift of God). Throughout Germanic cultures, biblical names like Matthias were popular throughout the late middle ages, and were further popularized by certain martyrdoms.
The use of Matthiass as a surname began in the 15th century, when it first appeared as a surname in Germany. It was then spread to other countries, becoming especially popular in the United States. During the colonization period, many German immigrants brought their customs and language with them and Matthiass was adopted as a surname by many of them.
Today, people enjoying the surname Matthiass are most commonly found in central Europe, as well as in parts of the United States. As with many German surnames, Matthiass is not exclusively German, and names similar to it are also found in Scandinavia, France, and the United Kingdom.
Due to its popularity, many different meanings and associations have been attributed to the last name Matthiass. Generally, it carries associations of God-given trust and faith, with some attributing the name to mean “Gift of God.” It is seen as a sign of a strong family, one where faith plays an important role, as well as a reminder to be bold and courageous in the face of adversity.
Order DNA origin analysisMatthiass: Where does the name Matthiass come from?
The last name Matthiass is most commonly found today in the countries of Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Luxembourg. According to records, the earliest known instance of this surname dates back to the 17th century in the modern region of Rhineland-Palatinate in Germany. The specific origins of the name, however, are not clear. It is thought to be derived from either the personal names Mattheis or Matthias, both of which are found in the region. The name has also been recorded in various spellings, including Matthiessen, Mathiesen, and Matheis, indicating its strong regional presence.
Beginning in the 18th century, the Matthiass family began to spread across Europe and even to North America. So far, the Matthiass surname has been identified in 36 countries around the world. In the United States, the 2010 census registered 3,300 people with the last name Matthiass. The highest concentration of Matthiass in the US was found in Wisconsin, where there were 278 people with the surname, followed by Minnesota (216), Illinois (211), and Michigan (175).
Outside of the United States, the most common countries of residence for people with the Matthiass name are Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Luxembourg. In Germany, Matthiass is most commonly found in the North Rhine-Westphalia region, followed by nearby Lower Saxony. Elsewhere in Europe, the Czech Republic, the Netherlands, and France have all reported large numbers of people with the Matthiass surname.
In general, the Matthiass surname is believed to be relatively rare today, despite its long history. Population records suggest that it now ranks over 12,000th most common in the world, although this number may not accurately reflect the entire population of Matthiass around the globe.
Variations of the surname Matthiass
Matthiass is an anglicized spelling of the German surname Matthias, which is derived from the Hebrew personal name Mattityahu (from the words for “gift of Yahweh). Variations of the Matthias/Matthiass surname may include Mathias, Matthys, Mathys, Matheis, Mathes, Matheus, Mathesius, Matthaei, Mattaeus, Mattheus, Mattheiss, Matthes, and Matheiss.
Additionally, there are various surnames thought to be of the same origin as Matthiass. Many of these have a similar spelling but are derived from other countries’ versions of the name. For example, variations of Matthiass commonly seen in the United States include Mathie, Matthey, and Mattys. Similarly, variations found in France include Mathiau and Matthieu, while Dutch variations include Matthijs, Matthysen, and Mattheussen. In Germany, Matthiass may take the form of Matthies, Mathielen, Mette, Matthiessen, Most, Motz, and Mueller.
In Spain, variations of Matthiass include Mathias, Matias, Mateo, and Mateu. Polish versions of the name may include Matczak, Maciejewski, or Machalinski. Last, but certainly not least, is Matheson or Mathews from Scotland.
These variants of a name have common origins, allowing us to trace our ancestry much more easily while also making it easier for us to recognize our distant relatives. Although Matthiass is a relatively uncommon name today, it’s clear that it has had a wide influence across the world, from Europe to North America and beyond.
Famous people with the name Matthiass
- Wolfgang Matthiass: Wolfgang Matthiass is a German politician who was the chairman of the Free Democratic Party in the Rhineland-Palatinate state parliament from 2011 to 2015.
- Paul Matthiae: Paul Matthiae is a German actor known for his roles in such films as The Grandmaster, Black Hawk Down, and John Q.
- Klaus Matthiass: Klaus Matthiass is a German musician and composer who has released several albums in Germany, France, Austria, and Switzerland.
- Cornelius Matthiass: Cornelius Matthiass is an Austrian-born composer and conductor. He has composed works for television, radio, and opera, and has conducted orchestras in Europe, America, and Asia.
- Stephen Matthiass: Stephen Matthiass is a film director and producer who has directed such films as The Darkest Hour, The Raid: Redemption, and The Raid 2.
- Robert Matthiass: Robert Matthiass is an Austrian physicist and professor at the Institute for Solid-State Physics at Vienna University of Technology.
- Thomas Matthiass: Thomas Matthiass is the former Chancellor of Austria from 2000 to 2007.
- Helmut Matthiass: Helmut Matthiass is the attorney general of Austria from 2008 to 2016.
- Reinhold Matthiass: Reinhold Matthiass is a German actor known for his roles in such films as Max & Mona, I, Olga, and Kurz und Schmerzlos.