Surname Matwienko - Meaning and Origin
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Matwienko: What does the surname Matwienko mean?
The last name Matwienko is derived from a Polish word meaning “son of Matthew” or “son of Matwiej”. The name is of Slavic origin and is associated with the region of Galicia, which is now located in the Ukraine and southwestern Poland.
The original form of the surname was Matwijenko, which was adopted when family members moved to Russia. It was further adapted when they spread across the world. Thus, surnames such as Matviienko, Matwjenko, Matviyenko, Matvingo, and Matvjenko can be seen in some countries.
The surname is very common in both Ukraine and Russia. In the Ukraine, the most common variant is Matviyenko. The popularity of this surname can be attributed to Ivan Matvejenko, a noted Ukrainian painter and sculptor from the 19th century. In Russia, the most common variant is Matwjenko.
The Matwienko family has a rich, varied history. Over the centuries, the family has made significant contributions to business, science, and industry. They have been influential in the politics, art, and culture of countries including Ukraine, Russia, Poland, Belarus, Australia, the United States, Lithuania, and Canada.
Today, the Matwienko family is synonymous with respect, intelligence, and hard work. Despite the various adaptations of the last name, the original meaning — “son of Matthew” — remains the same and is a testament to the family's long, remarkable history.
Order DNA origin analysisMatwienko: Where does the name Matwienko come from?
The last name Matwienko is most commonly found today in Eastern European countries, particularly in Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus. It is derived from a Slavic personal name, Matvei, which was commonly associated with the name Matthew. Matwienko is likely a patronymic surname, meaning it was derived from the father's given name. Due to the frequency of patronymic surnames in Eastern Europe, Matwienko is one of the more commonly found last names in the region.
The variant spelling “Matveenko” is also found in Russia and surrounding countries. This likely is due to the great variability of how surnames were spelled in the Russian Empire prior to the establishment of more standard spelling conventions.
Although the name is not found as frequently in the United States, North America, or Australia, some Matwienko families have emigrated to these regions. It is also found in other regions of the world such as parts of Europe, Asia, and Africa, among migrant families and individuals.
The frequency of Matwienko around the world, however, has decreased in recent years due to changing societal trends and naming conventions. As names like Matwienko become less used, it is important to remember those with this last name and celebrate their cultural roots.
Variations of the surname Matwienko
Matwienko is a surname of Slavic origin and is commonly spelled and pronounced as Matveyenko or Matviienko. Belonging to the same origin, it can also be spelled as Matveenko, Machienko, Macviienko, Matvienco, and Matvejenko. Its alternate spellings and surnames of similar origin include Matwiejenko, Matajenko, Matveenco, Matvinenko, Matwinenko, and Macveenko.
It was found first in Eastern Europe in Ukraine and Russia and has spread throughout Europe, the Americas, and Australia. It is believed to be derived from the Latin forename Matthaeus or the Greek forename Matthaios, both appearing as an occupational surname for a beekeeper.
People with the surnames Matwienko, Matveyenko, or any others derived from it, have produced several notable people. While the earliest known person with this surname is Dr. Dmitry Semenovich Matveyenko who lived around the late 15th century in Moskovskaya, Russia, the most famous is the Russian professional ice hockey defensemen Dmitry Matveyenko who was born in 1982.
In some cases, the Matwienko spelling has been modified into the Asian countries where it has been adopted. For example, in China it is transcribed as Ma Teiwen Ke and pronounced using Chinese characters transcribed as Ma Te Yuan Ke.
Famous people with the name Matwienko
- Galina Matwienko-Kovalenko: Russian retired swimmer and Olympic silver medalist
- Yulia Matwienko: Ukrainian camogie player
- Artem Matwienko: Ukrainian basketball player
- Sergey Matwienko: Ukrainian photographer and photojournalist
- Marat Matwienko: Azerbaijani dancer, choreographer and film director
- Cândida Matwienko: Brazilian volleyball player
- Taras Matwienko: Ukrainian pole vaulter
- Ihor Matwienko: Ukrainian economist
- Oleksandr Matwienko: Ukrainian chess grandmaster
- Lucie Matwienko: French biathlete