MATTERSON
The surname Matterson is a patrilineal derivative of the personal name Matthew, which itself originates from the Hebrew Mattithyahu, meaning “gift of Yahweh”. By appending the patronymic suffix -son, the name conveys the literal sense of “son of Matthew” or “descendant of Matthew.”
Historical records attest to the early use of the surname across the British Isles. In 1382 a Heinrich Matthaus appears in the archives of Uberlingen, Germany; 1395 records a John Mathows of Whitby, England; 1379 the Poll Tax rolls of England contain a Hugh Mathewman; and 1475 a Clewi Mathisen is documented in Freiburg, Germany. The first documented spelling within England is that of Alan Mathew, dated 1260 in the Assize Rolls of Cambridge, during the reign of King Henry the First, known as The Frenchman.
From the 11th century onwards the name proliferated throughout Christendom, often arising as a baptismal name before becoming fixed as a surname. The Norman–English Domesday Book of 1086 lists the personal name Matthaeus and the French rendering Mathieu; both appear in the form of priests, illustrating the name’s early ecclesiastical prevalence. The surname later spread to the New World with settlers such as Samuell Matthews, noted as living at the plantation by James Cittie in Virginia in February 1623.
The surname has evolved into a variety of spellings under linguistic influence and regional dialect. More than two hundred and fifty variants are recorded, including Matteson, Materson, Mattersen, Mattheson, Mattison, Mattisone, Mattyson, Mattysson, and Mateson. Prefixes such as Mac, Mc, and the Irish O give rise to forms like MacMatterson, McMatterson, and O’Matterson. These variations are often associated with Scottish or Irish heritage but remain rooted in the same biblical origin.
In contemporary times the surname is relatively uncommon. Its presence is most noticeable in English‑speaking countries, particularly within the United Kingdom, where it is more prevalent in the counties of Yorkshire and Lancashire. In the United States it can be found across many states, with notable concentrations in New York, Texas, and California, whereas in Australia it occurs mainly in New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria. The uneven distribution reflects historical migration patterns and the persistence of regional naming traditions.
Typical given names associated with the Matterson surname
Male
- David
- John
- Joseph
- Luke
- Matthew
- Neil
- Nicholas
- Paul
- Peter
- Thomas
- Timothy
- William
Female
- Brenda
- Catherine
- Deborah
- Elaine
- Elizabeth
- Georgia
- Helen
- Jacqueline
- Jean
- Patricia
- Pauline
- Rachael
- Sally
- Sarah
Similar and related surnames
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.
How to communicate the surname Matterson in...
Braille
⠍⠁⠞⠞⠑⠗⠎⠕⠝
Morse
--.---..-....----.
Semaphore
There are approximately 228 people named Matterson in the UK. That makes it one of Britain's least common surnames. Only around four in a million people in Britain are named Matterson.
Surname type: From name of parent
Origin: English
Region of origin: British Isles
Country of origin: England
Religion of origin: Christian
Language of origin: English
