Meaning and origin
The last name Mathews has its origins in the patronymic surname system, deriving from the given name Matthew. Matthew itself has ancient Hebrew roots, meaning "gift of Yahweh." The surname Mathews emerged in the British Isles during medieval times, particularly in areas influenced by Anglo-Norman culture. Over time, it underwent various phonetic and spelling adaptations, adding to its diverse forms such as Mathew, Matthews, Mathis, and others. The name Mathews signifies a strong connection to biblical heritage and has been carried down through generations, marking familial ties to ancestors bearing the name Matthew.
Surname origins are rarely settled: one spelling can have several sources, and families often took a name for reasons nobody wrote down. Check it against the sources below before you rely on it.
#663
Mathews was the 663rd most common surname in the 2010 US Census, with 51,592 people, about 17 in every 100,000.
Who carries it
Surnames like Mathews
Names it is linked with, then names with the same origin and a similar standing.
Check the sources
- Forebears: where Mathews is found around the world
- The Internet Surname Database: a second opinion on the origin
- US Census Bureau: the 2010 surname figures used here
For a name you are serious about, compare the dictionaries: Reaney and Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames; Hanks, Dictionary of American Family Names.