MATES
Mates is a surname with origins in both the English and Hebrew traditions. It derives from the medieval given name Matthew, which itself comes from the Hebrew name Matityahu, meaning gift of Yahweh. Thus the surname is traditionally interpreted as indicating son of Matthew or a descendant of an ancestor named Matthew.
The earliest documented use of the name appears in the Hundred Rolls of Warwick, dated 1275, where an individual named Adam Matte is recorded. This predates the introduction of fixed surnames by several decades and establishes the name as a patronymic form used as early as the reign of King Edward I (1272 –1307).
Throughout the medieval period, the name existed in a variety of spellings and forms. In addition to Mates, the surname was often recorded as Matt or Matts. These variants are all affectionate or diminutive derivations of Matthew. Notable early examples from parish registers include Thomas Matt who married Mary Toner at St Dunstans, Stepney, in 1561; Susan Mayte who married John Hadocke at St. Andrews by the Tower, London, in 1614; and Robert Mates christened at St Botolphs Church, Bishopgate, London, in 1684.
The name Matthew became highly popular after the Norman Conquest of 1066, ranking as the fourth most common name behind William, John and Richard. Its popularity generated a plethora of surnames within English, Scottish and even French contexts, such as Matthewman, Matthewson, Mathes, Mattys, Mathieson (Scottish), Mattingson and Mattimoe. In France the name was latinised as Matthaeus and later adopted in its Norman form Mathieu.
Geographically, the surname has continued as a common name in many English‑speaking communities. Within the United Kingdom, individuals bearing the surname are most frequently found in London, Glasgow and Birmingham. In the United States, the highest concentrations occur in Pennsylvania and Ohio, particularly in the cities of Philadelphia and Allentown in Pennsylvania. The surname also appears in Canada, South America and other countries, reflecting historical immigration patterns.
In Dutch historical records, Mates is identified as a patronymic name derived from the Dutch form Mathaeus, a variant of Matityahu. Early documentary evidence places the name predominantly in the provinces of Fryslân, Utrecht and Drenthe. Notable Dutch bearers of the name have participated in a broad spectrum of professional fields, including business, politics, education, the military and the sciences. The name embraces a storied legacy that has contributed to the cultural and intellectual life of the Netherlands, including involvement in the Arts and Crafts movement.
The surname is also linked to etymological roots in Old English describing a person connected with a small matting or a person who wove mats or baskets. Though the precise historical origin of this occupational derivation remains uncertain, it illustrates how a single surname can arise from both patronymic and occupational sources.
Variants of the surname Mates may differ in spelling across regions, and related forms include Mateson, Mathes and other adaptations such as MacMasters or Mater. In some contexts, regional prefixes such as Mc or De may appear; however, these are considered separate surnames rather than direct variants of Mates.
Typical given names associated with the Mates surname
Male
- Alan
- Brian
- David
- Ian
- John
- Michael
- Owen
- Peter
- Rory
- Stephen
- Steven
- Thomas
- William
Female
- Amanda
- Christine
- Elizabeth
- Jill
- Joanna
- Julie
- Karen
- Krystal
- Laura
- Lisa
- Patricia
- Paula
- Ruth
- Sarah
- Susan
Similar and related surnames
- Maat
- Mades
- Maeght
- Maes
- Mahtey
- Mait
- Maite
- Maites
- Maitz
- Mat
- Matas
- Mataz
- Mate
- Mateas
- Matee
- Matees
- Matei
- Mateias
- Mateo
- Mateos
- Mateu
- Mateus
- Mateusz
- Matey
- Mathe
- Matheas
- Matheis
- Mathes
- Matheus
- Mathewes
- Mathews
- Mathies
- Maths
- Mathues
- Mathwes
- Matias
- Matie
- Maties
- Matis
- Matiz
- Matos
- Matous
- Matre
- Mats
- Matsa
- Matsi
- Matt
- Mattas
- Matte
- Mattei
- Matteis
- Mattes
- Mattess
- Mattew
- Mattews
- Mattey
- Matthees
- Matthes
- Matthies
- Matthwes
- Mattie
- Mattis
- Mattke
- Mattos
- Matts
- Mattus
- Matues
- Matus
- Matuz
- Matys
- Matz
- Mayes
- Mayott
- Mayted
- Meadows
- Meat
- Meate
- Meates
- Meats
- Meets
- Meite
- Mete
- Metos
- Mets
- Mette
- Metts
- Metz
- Meyts
- Mietus
- Mietz
- Mites
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.
How to communicate the surname Mates in...
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There are approximately 329 people named Mates in the UK. That makes it one of Britain's least common surnames. Only around five in a million people in Britain are named Mates.
Origin: English
Region of origin: British Isles
Country of origin: England
Religion of origin: Christian
Language of origin: English
Famous people named Mates
- Michael Mates - Politician
- Jack Mates - Football player
Names and descriptions courtesy of Wikipedia, and may contain errors. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of every famous person with this name.