Surname Matteson - Meaning and Origin

Matteson: What does the surname Matteson mean?

The last name Matteson is of Scandinavian origin and is a variant of the name Mathieson, meaning “son of Matthew.” The name Matthew itself is derived from the Hebrew name "Matityahu" which means "gift from God." Therefore, indirectly, Matteson could imply “son of the gift from God.” This surname was generally given to the sons in families to carry forth the father's name, a practice common in patronymic cultures. It should be noted that over time, variations of spelling and derivatives of the name have appeared, including Madison, Mathison, and Matheson among others. While the surname is now spread across the world, it predominantly has been traced back to Scandinavian countries, particularly Denmark.

Matteson: Where does the name Matteson come from?

The last name Matteson is of English origin, specifically derived from the Hebrew personal name Matityahu, which has been Anglicized to Matthew. In the Middle Ages, it was common to adopt a person’s first name as a surname, hence the evolution to Matteson. The name Matthew was prevalent as it was given in honor of the apostle who was a tax collector before he became one of the twelve disciples.

Matteson is not a common last name in England any longer, having been more frequently seen in the Middle Ages. Today, it is most commonly found in the United States, particularly in the state of Rhode Island, where the Matteson family settled in the 17th century after migrating from England. The name is also relatively common in the Midwestern states of the USA, like Wisconsin and Minnesota. Despite its English origins, the surname Matteson is not very common in the UK today.

Variations of the surname Matteson

The surname Matteson has been represented in different forms and is of Scandinavian origin, particularly Danish. It means "son of Mathew". The surname reflects Scandinavian patronymic naming tradition. Similar surnames that have the same origin include Mathieson, Matheson, Mattison, Matthiessen, and Mattiessen.

Variant spellings for Matteson often replace the "s" with a "c", such as Mattecson, or alternatively, the "a" replaced by "o" as in Mottison. The "e" can also be replaced by an "a" yielding Mattisone or even replace the "son" with "sen" giving Mattesen.

Other variations include an extra “t” or swap the "e" with an "o," such as in Mattissoon and Mottesson. Other cultural adaptations of the name comprise Mateoson, Matyson and Mattyson. Very often in some English-speaking countries, the surname is written as Matterson, later modified to Matthews or even Mathews.

Furthermore, it's important to note that these surname variations could result from attempts to Anglicize or simplify the name, clerical errors, or migrating families wanting to fit into new communities. Due to these factors, tracking the genealogy of a surname can be a complex task.

Famous people with the name Matteson

• Kenneth Matteson, American artist and frequent illustrator of books.
• Gypsy Matteson, American actress and singer.
• John Matteson, American historian and author.
• Noah Matteson, American professional basketball player.
• Joe Matteson, American football player.
• Stephanie Matteson, American figure skater.
• Jim Matteson, American musician and songwriter.
• Mary Matteson, American politician.
• Arthur Matteson, American sculptor.
• William Matteson, American lawyer and civil rights activist.
• Diane Matteson, American journalist and editor.
• Deanna Matteson, American poet and novelist.
• James Matteson, American actor.
• Carl Matteson, American entrepreneur and business leader.
• Richard Matteson, American physicist.
• David Matteson, American aviator and educator.
• Gary Matteson, American baseball player.
• Nick Matteson, American video game designer.
• Warren Matteson, American actor.
• Robert Matteson, American military veteran and activist.

Other surnames

MattesMattesen