Surname Matzkeit - Meaning and Origin
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Matzkeit: What does the surname Matzkeit mean?
The surname Matzkeit is a German name originating in the Middle Ages. It is derived from the Middle High German term ‘mezg’, which was an occupational term for a ‘grain measurer’ or merchant who measured and sold grain and other commodities. The ‘it’ suffix is a diminutive of sorts and indicates that the family were likely seen in their community as small, independent merchants.
Matzkeit families were likely urban, though the surname has spread since then, and are likely more widespread today. Family members likely lived in small towns in Germany throughout the medieval period, when the economy centered on agriculture and artisanal activities. Historically, Matzkeit families likely made their living as miners, weavers, masons, tanners, and tradesmen.
The name originally would have been given as a nickname as an indicator of a family’s profession. Over the years, the name has taken different spellings in different countries and in different dialects, which reflects the nomadic nature of many people at the time. Today, ‘Matzkeit’ is used throughout Europe and the United States, with variant forms such as ‘Matzek’, ‘Matzke’, and ‘Matz’. The name has retained its familiarity throughout the ages, and still retains strong ties to the Middle Ages.
Order DNA origin analysisMatzkeit: Where does the name Matzkeit come from?
The last name Matzkeit is most commonly found in Germany today. According to records from the German telephone directory, in 2020 the name was distributed throughout the country with the southern state of Baden Württemberg having the highest concentration of people bearing the surname.
The name is also found in many other countries outside of Germany. Researchers have found that it is especially popular in areas of Eastern Europe such as Belarus, Ukraine, and Poland. In addition, records show that the name has a significant presence in the United States, Canada, and Brazil.
The origin of the Matzkeit surname dates back to Medieval Germany where it was created as a patronymic name based on the first name Matthias. It is also derived from the German word “Maske,” which means mask. As such, the name might originally have been derived from a family who either crafted masks or religious items.
Matzkeit is not a particularly common name today. According to online records, only about 9,000 residents in the European Union bear the surname. However, it is still found throughout the German-speaking world and other parts of Europe.
Variations of the surname Matzkeit
The surname Matzkeit (or Matzkeit, Matzeit, Matz106, Matzkeit, Matzkeit, etc.) is derived from a Germanic word for "kinsman", and it is a common surname found mainly throughout Europe. In Germany, Austria and Switzerland, the spelling of the surname Matzkeit is most commonly seen, while in other countries, such as the Netherlands, France, and Finland, the spelling is often adapted to fit local customs. In the Netherlands, for example, the surname is most often seen as Matzkie, in France as Matzquat, and in Finland as Mätös.
The surnames Maetzke, Metzke, Matzkowitz, Metzkow, Matzoulas, Metzkewitz, and Maetsig are also variants of Matzkeit. These surnames can be found mainly in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Southern Europe, such as Romania, Serbia, Croatia, Bulgaria, and Greece.
Other variant spellings include Maetzkeit, Metzkeit, Matzkowitze, Metzkowitsch, and Matzoule. In some parts of the world, the name may be adapted to fit into the local language, such as Matzkoe in Indonesia, Matzky in Russia, Metsoke in Latvia, and Matzikai in Lithuania.
The surname Matzkeit is also a less common variation of the more widely found Matzke. Matzke is itself a variation of the more commonly found surname Metzger. Matzkeit is also commonly found combined with the Germanic patronymical suffix "-heit", meaning roughly "descendant of ____" in this case usually the original Matzke.
Famous people with the name Matzkeit
- Anton Matzkeit: Matzkeit is a German musician best known for his techno production and DJing in bars and clubs throughout Germany.
- Eva Matzkeit: Matzkeit is a German artist known for her oil paintings and sculptures.
- Johann Matzkeit: Matzkeit is a German actor who has been featured in many films and television shows.
- Oliver Matzkeit: an award-winning German composer who has written the scores for several major motion pictures.
- Konrad Matzkeit: the founder of German electronics manufacturer Meister Electronic GmbH, which is known for its high-quality audio equipment.
- Christian Matzkeit: an industrial designer who has created products for some of the world’s leading brands.
- Wolfgang Matzkeit: a German entrepreneur and investor who has started several successful businesses.
- Gerhard Matzkeit: a German physicist who focused on researching the structure of matter and antimatter.
- Rainer Matzkeit: a German physicist specializing in atomic and nuclear physics.
- Alexander Matzkeit: a German chess player known for his chess strategy and tactics.