Show ContentsMathie History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The surname Mathie is a patronymic name derived from the well known first name Matthew. This name is ultimately derived from the Hebrew personal name "Mattathaigh," meaning "gift of Jehovah;" it was Latinized as Matthaeus and Mathaeus. It was introduced to England by the Normans, and quickly became quite a popular name.

Early Origins of the Mathie family

The surname Mathie was first found in the Domesday Book in 1086, listed as Mathiu and Matheus. They family came to England following the invasion of William the Conquerer in 1066.

Early History of the Mathie family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Mathie research. Another 74 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1260, 1273, 1395, 1546, 1577, 1628, 1655, 1790, 1797, 1824, 1856, 1863, 1889, 1890 and 1941 are included under the topic Early Mathie History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Mathie Spelling Variations

Anglo-Norman names are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. When the Normans became the ruling people of England in the 11th century, they introduced a new language into a society where the main languages of Old and later Middle English had no definite spelling rules. These languages were more often spoken than written, so they blended freely with one another. Contributing to this mixing of tongues was the fact that medieval scribes spelled words according to sound, ensuring that a person's name would appear differently in nearly every document in which it was recorded. The name has been spelled Matthew, Matthews, Matthewson, Matheson, Mathew, Mathews and many more.

Early Notables of the Mathie family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Tobias Matthew (1546-1628), Archbishop of York, statesman and writer; Sir Tobie Matthew (1577-1655), English MP, courtier, diplomat and writer; Father Theobald Mathew (1790-1856), who campaigned in Ireland...
Another 34 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Mathie Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Mathie family to Ireland

Some of the Mathie family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 108 words (8 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Mathie migration to the United States +

For many English families, the political and religious disarray that plagued their homeland made the frontiers of the New World an attractive prospect. Thousands migrated, aboard cramped disease-ridden ships. They arrived sick, poor, and hungry, but were welcomed in many cases with far greater opportunity than at home in England. Many of these hardy settlers went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations in which they landed. Among early immigrants bearing the name Mathie or a variant listed above were:

Mathie Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Mrs. Margaret Mathie, aged 34, Scottish settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Cynosure" in 1863
  • Miss Margaret Mathie, Infant, Scottish settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Cynosure" in 1863
  • Miss Mary Mathie, aged 13, Scottish settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Cynosure" in 1863
  • Mr. William Mathie, aged 6, Scottish settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Cynosure" in 1863
  • John Mathie, aged 4, who landed in America, in 1897
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Mathie Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Annie Mathie, aged 17, who immigrated to the United States from Shettleston, in 1903
  • Helen Mathie, aged 27, who landed in America from Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1909
  • Andrie Lea Mathie, aged 27, who immigrated to the United States from Audincourt, France, in 1910
  • Alex Mathie, aged 19, who landed in America from Shettleston, Scotland, in 1911
  • Alexander Mathie, aged 20, who settled in America from Wishan, Scotland, in 1911
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Canada Mathie migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Mathie Settlers in Canada in the 20th Century
  • John William Mathie, aged 34, who immigrated to Toronto, Ont., Canada, in 1916

New Zealand Mathie migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Mathie Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Mrs. Priscilla Mathie, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "George Canning" arriving in Dunedin, Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 28th November 1857 [1]
  • Miss Agnes Mathie, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "George Canning" arriving in Dunedin, Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 28th November 1857 [1]
  • Miss Helen Mathie, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "George Canning" arriving in Dunedin, Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 28th November 1857 [1]
  • Miss Emy Mathie, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "George Canning" arriving in Dunedin, Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 28th November 1857 [1]
  • Miss Catherine Mathie, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "George Canning" arriving in Dunedin, Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 28th November 1857 [1]
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Mathie (post 1700) +

  • Marion Mathie (1925-2012), English actress, best known for her role on the last four series of Rumpole of the Bailey
  • Ross Clarkston Mathie (b. 1946), Scottish football former player and coach
  • Scott Mathie (b. 1983), South African rugby union player
  • Alexander "Alex" Mathie (b. 1968), Scottish former footballer and manager


  1. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html


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