Surname Mattock - Meaning and Origin
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Mattock: What does the surname Mattock mean?
The surname Mattock is of English origin and is believed to be occupational, derived from the tool, 'mattock'. A mattock is an agricultural hand tool similar to a pickaxe, used for digging and chopping. The surname may have been given either to someone who made such tools or to someone who frequently used them, perhaps a farmer or a miner. It was common in medieval times to assign surnames based on a person's occupation or the tools they used. The name Mattock started appearing in English written records in the 12th Century. Certain spellings variations include Mattocks, Mattacks, and Mattix. Some of the earliest recorded instances of the surname belong to Robert and Richard Mattock, listed in the Poll Tax Records of Yorkshire, England, in 1379. The Rare British Surnames database also cites Mattock as a name with less than 200 current bearers in the UK.
Order DNA origin analysisMattock: Where does the name Mattock come from?
The surname Mattock is of Anglo-Saxon origin, deriving from the Old English term "mattuc," which refers to a kind of tool similar to a pickaxe. It was typically used as an occupational surname for someone who made or used mattocks. It is also possible that it has been a locational surname for individuals residing near a field where mattocks were regularly employed. Though the name originates from the UK, spread of the descendants has led to its presence in other countries as well. The Mattock surname is not extremely common today but it does have a presence in the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada, among other English-speaking countries. Like other surnames, its distribution has been influenced by patterns of migration, economic opportunities, and other historical events. However, it is still relatively rare when compared with other more common surnames.
Variations of the surname Mattock
The surname Mattock is of English origin, and is derived from the Old English word "mattuc," which means mattock, a type of tool similar to a pickaxe. This could have been an occupational surname for someone who made or used mattocks. It's also possible that it was a nickname for someone who was perceived to work as hard as a person who uses a mattock.
Different spellings or variants of the surname Mattock may include: Mattox, Mattocks, Mattox, Mattucks, Matticks, Matox, and Mattek.
Similar surnames that may share the same root or have a similar origin include Metcalf and Mettler, which are derived from the Old English words for "meadow" and "calf" or "measure" and "maker" respectively. Other similar English occupational surnames include Smith (for a blacksmith) and Baker (for a baker).
Please note that surnames can vary significantly in their spelling and construction due to factors such as regional dialects, phonetic spelling, and changes in language over time. Therefore, finding comprehensive list of all possible variants for a surname can be a challenging task.
Famous people with the name Mattock
- Jack Mattock: Former English cricketer, played for Nottinghamshire from 1963-1980
- Anthony Mattock: Former professional footballer, played for clubs such as Northampton Town, Kettering Town, and Sunderland.
- Les Mattock: Former professional boxer, featherweight fighter who fought in the British and European championships in the 1940s.
- Chris Mattock: Current English professional footballer who plays for Stevenage in League Two.
- Kenny Mattock: Former English professional footballer, played in the Football League with clubs such as Birmingham City, Aldershot, and Nottingham Forest.
- Jody Mattock: Current English cricketer, currently playing for Durham County Cricket Club in the County Championship.
- Steve Mattock: Former English footballer, played for clubs such as Barnet, Chesterfield, Wycombe Wanderers, and Oxford United.
- Marty Mattock: Former American professional football player, played for teams such as the San Francisco 49ers and the New England Patriots.
- Austin Mattock: Current American professional basketball player, plays in the NBA for the Charlotte Hornets.
- Ryan Mattock: Current English professional footballer, plays for Southend United in League One.