Surname Matthiss - Meaning and Origin
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Matthiss: What does the surname Matthiss mean?
The last name Matthiss is of Germanic origin and is believed to be patronymic, derived from the name Matthias. The suffix-iss is a short form of the German surname suffix -issen, meaning 'son of' or 'descendant of'.
The forename Matthias originates from the Greek word ‘Matthaios’, derived from Mattithyah, meaning ‘gift of God’. This is an apt meaning for those with the surname Matthiss, as families who carry this name often take pride in their ancestry and consider it a blessing, striving to make their forefathers proud.
Matthiss is commonly found in regions of the Netherlands, Germany, Austria and Switzerland. As such, it is likely to have been a popular surname in these areas since the spiritual and social reform of the Protestant Reformation that occurred during the 16th century. It is also possible that family members may have also adopted the Matthiss name when they moved to other countries where it was formerly less popular.
The last name Matthiss also carries with it many values of importance. Most notably, it emphasises the importance of family and having respect for one’s heritage. It also encourages individuals to strive for success while remaining true to their traditional roots. Therefore, bearing the Matthiss surname is a source of great pride for many families worldwide.
Order DNA origin analysisMatthiss: Where does the name Matthiss come from?
The last name Matthiss is most commonly found in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Denmark, and Sweden. It is believed to have originated from a medieval personal name Matthias, derived from the Greek Mattathias. It is thought to have originated in the Middle Ages, when it was a popular name among Germanic tribes.
It is estimated that there are over 44,000 people worldwide today with the last name Matthiss. In the United States, Matthiss is most common in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Wisconsin, New York, and California. It is believed that the majority of Matthisses living in the United States today can trace their ancestry back to German immigrants in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Today, the last name Matthiss is also found in areas of Central and Eastern Europe, including Lithuania, Latvia, and Russia. There is even a small presence of Matthiss families in South America, mainly in the countries of Argentina, Colombia, and Peru.
Overall, the Matthiss family name is relatively rare, yet still present in a variety of countries across the world. It is a testament to the many-faceted origins of the family, having descended from Germanic tribes in the Middle Ages to modern-day immigrants seeking a better life in the Western world.
Variations of the surname Matthiss
Matthiss is a unique surname with many potential variations and spellings. Some variants of Matthiss include Mathis, Mattys, Mathes, Matheson, Mathesson, Mathesen, Mattissen, Mathissen, Mathesius, Mathiessen, Mathiaussen, Matthesen, Mattersen, Mathison, Matthiessen, Matison, Matheson, Matheison, Matthisen, Matthaus, Mathausen, Matthisen, Mathiausen, and Mathais.
While many of these names stem from the same origin, the root of the name Matthiss appears to be either German or Danish in origin. Specifically, during the early 19th century in Germany and Denmark, Matthiss was a popular name with many variations. Matthiss was originally derived from “maht” which means might or strength, and “thys” which means people.
Spelling variations of Matthiss may have developed due to the varying languages and cultures throughout Europe. For example, in some German-speaking regions the Matthiss spelling has evolved to Mathis while in other languages, such as Danish, the spelling has evolved to Mathié. Additionally, many of the surnames with similar spellings developed with the adoption of surnames during the 1800s. As populations moved throughout Europe, changes in spelling were naturally adopted due to various dialects.
The surname Matthiss is a unique family name with a long history, and it appears that generations of families have passed down these variations, spellings and surnames for centuries.
Famous people with the name Matthiss
- Laura Matthis: actress best known for her role as Rebecca Donaldson on the television sitcom Full House.
- Matt Matthis: American television host and producer. He was the co-host of The View from 2007 to 2011.
- Clay Matthis: professional baseball player in the Major League Baseball (MLB).
- Robert Matthiessen: German actor and musician in the mid 19th century.
- Susan Matthis: American actress who appeared in many television and movie roles, such as Miami Vice.
- Kristen Matthis: American author and speaker. She is known for her non-fiction and biographical books.
- Russell Matthis: American philantropist and founder of the Matthis Foundation.
- Michael Matthis: American theologian and leader in the African Methodist Episcopal Church.
- Alison Matthis: Australian singer-songwriter and producer.
- Jane Matthis: British artist whose works explore themes of identity, masculinity and the power of the feminine.