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Matheson History Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables World Ranking

United States Canada Australia New Zealand

Contemporary Notables Historic Events Related Stories Citations

Matheson History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Germany
Scotland

The German surname Matheson emerged in the lands that formed the powerful German state of Prussia, which at one time was an immense territory that stretched from France and the Low Countries to the Baltic sea and Poland. After the fall of the Roman Empire, the German territories were inhabited by a variety of barbarian tribes. The borders of the barbarian kingdoms changed frequently, but the region that became known as Prussia was roughly divided between the areas of Brandenburg-Prussia, West Prussia, and East Prussia. By the 19th century, Brandenburg-Prussia had incorporated East Prussia, West Prussia and many other German territories. Moreover, in the late 19th century, it led the German states in the unification of Germany.

Early Origins of the Matheson family

The surname Matheson was first found in Prussia, where the family contributed greatly to the development of an emerging nation, and would later play a large role in the tribal and national conflicts of the area. The name stems from two sources which were continually mixed up throughout the Middle Ages, so they can no longer be differentiated: one was Matthaeus the Evangelist, who was patron saint of tax collectors, and the other was Mattias (Hebrew for "gift of the gods",) who was one of the twelve Apostles. In later years the name branched into many houses, each playing a significant role in local social and political affairs.

Early History of the Matheson family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Matheson research. Another 146 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1504, 1558, 1565, 1681, 1710, 1727, 1761, 1764, 1809, 1811 and 1831 are included under the topic Early Matheson History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Matheson Spelling Variations

Many cultural groups lived in the German states in medieval times. Each had its own dialect and traditions, and unique variations of popular names. Low German, which is similar to contemporary Dutch, was spoken in Westphalia. German names are characterized by additions such as regional suffixes and phrases that tell something about the origin or background of its original bearer. Further contributing to the variation in German names was the fact that there were no spelling rules in medieval times: scribes recorded names according to their sound. The recorded spelling variations of Matheson include Mathias, Matthias, Mathius, Matthius, Matheus, Mathesius, Matheson, Matthisson, Mathies, Mathiessen, Thiessen and many more.

Early Notables of the Matheson family

More information is included under the topic Early Matheson Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Matheson World Ranking

In the United States, the name Matheson is the 4,442^nd most popular surname with an estimated 7,461 people with that name. 1 However, in Canada, the name Matheson is ranked the 613^rd most popular surname with an estimated 8,323 people with that name. 2 And in Australia, the name Matheson is the 668^th popular surname with an estimated 5,866 people with that name. 3 New Zealand ranks Matheson as 369^th with 1,729 people. 4

Matheson migration to the United States +

The state of Prussia was a great influence on the shape of modern Germany. After the Second World War, Prussia's land was divided among the Soviet Union, Poland, East Germany and West Germany and the state was abolished. Some Prussians remained in those countries after the war, while many others migrated to North America in search of a new start. Philadelphia was their primary point of entry to the United States, after which many of them moved on to Ohio, Texas, Illinois, California, New York, and Maryland. A large number of Prussians also migrated to Ontario and the prairie provinces as United Empire Loyalists. Analysis of immigration records has shown some of the first Mathesons to arrive in North America, and among them were:

Matheson Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Alexander Matheson, who arrived in Boston in 1736
Farquhar Matheson, who arrived in America in 1774
Hugh Matheson, who settled in Wilmington, North Carolina in 1774
Hugh and Kathrine Matheson, who settled in Wilmington, North Carolina in 1774
Hugh Matheson, aged 32, who arrived in Wilmington, North Carolina in 1774 5
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Matheson Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Rodk Matheson, who landed in South Carolina in 1811 5
Duncan Matheson, who landed in Georgia in 1811 5
Murdoch Matheson, aged 22, who arrived in Georgia in 1812 5
William Matheson, who arrived in Georgia in 1850 5
Donald Matheson, who arrived in Mississippi in 1892 5
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Matheson Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Alexander Carmichael Matheson, aged 38, who immigrated to the United States from London, England, in 1907
Alexander Matheson, aged 44, who settled in America from Glasgow, Scotland, in 1911
Alexandrina Matheson, aged 21, who landed in America from Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1912
Adam George Matheson, aged 22, who settled in America from Glasgow, Scotland, in 1918
Aeneas Matheson, aged 19, who landed in America from Lockinvar, Scotland, in 1923

Matheson migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Matheson Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

John Matheson, who settled in Pictou, Nova Scotia in 1773
William Matheson, who settled in Pictou, Nova Scotia in 1773
Ann Matheson, who landed in Pictou, Nova Scotia in 1773
Charles Matheson, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1773

Matheson Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Dugald Matheson, who settled in Canada in 1809
Alexander Matheson, Scottish settler who arrived in Churchill in 1812 before arriving in the Red River, Canada in 1814
John Matheson, aged 22, Scottish settler who arrived in Churchill in 1812 before arriving in the Red River, Canada in 1814
Angus Matheson, aged 30, who arrived in Canada in 1815
Helen Matheson, aged 21, who landed in Canada in 1815
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Matheson migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Matheson Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. George Matheson, Scottish convict who was convicted in Aberdeen, Scotland for life, transported aboard the "Emperor Alexander"on 6th April 1833, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 6
Mr. James Matheson who was convicted in Aberdeen, Scotland for 7 years, transported aboard the "Bengal Merchant" on 4th August 1836, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 7
Maxwell Matheson, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Competitor" in 1848 8
Henry Matheson, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Cromwell" in 1849 9
James Matheson, aged 22, a labourer, who arrived in South Australia in 1852 aboard the ship "Anglia" 10
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Matheson 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:

Matheson Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Mrs. J. Matheson, Canadian settler from Baddeck travelling from Cape Breton aboard the ship "Spray" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 25th June 1857 11
Mr. Angus Matheson, Canadian settler from Baddeck travelling from Cape Breton aboard the ship "Spray" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 25th June 1857 11
Mr. Duncan Matheson, Canadian settler from Baddeck travelling from Cape Breton aboard the ship "Spray" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 25th June 1857 11
Mr. George Matheson, Scottish labourer from Lybster travelling from Leith aboard the ship "Strathallan" arriving in Dunedin, Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 8th January 1858 11
Miss Betty Matheson, (b. 1828), aged 30, Scottish settler travelling from Glasgow aboard the ship "Strathfieldsaye" arriving in Port Chalmers, Dunedin, Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 29th April 1858 11
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Matheson (post 1700) +

John Ross Matheson OC, CD (1917-2013), Canadian lawyer, judge, and politician who was assigned by Prime Minister Lester Pearson to develop a new Canadian flag and the Order of Canada
Ivan Mack Matheson (1926-2016), American politician and farmer, Member of the Utah Senate (1977-1988)
Roderick Nicol Matheson (1824-1862), American commanding officer in the Union Army during the American Civil War
Richard Burton Matheson (1926-2013), American author and screenwriter, probably best known for his work "I am Legend" and his Twilight Zone screenplays, recipient of the World Fantasy Award for Life Achievement in 1984 and the Bram Stoker Award for Lifetime Achievement
Timothy Lewis "Tim" Matheson (b. 1947), American actor, director, and producer, best known for his role in the 1978 comedy National Lampoon's Animal House
Scott Milne Matheson (1929-1990), American politician, 12th Governor of Utah (1977-1985)
Max Matheson, American Chemist
Mac C. Matheson, American Republican politician, Candidate for U.S. Representative from Arizona 2nd District, 1960 12
L. Keith Matheson, American Republican politician, Elected New Hampshire State House of Representatives from Center Harbor 1956 12
John Hubbard Matheson (b. 1908), American Republican politician, Rock County District Attorney, 1935-40 12
... (Another 18 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Matheson family +

Halifax Explosion

Mr. John Robert Matheson (1868-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 13
Mr. Albert C. Matheson (1871-1917), English Warrant Officer aboard the HMCS Niobe from Todmorden, England, United Kingdom who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 13
Mr. Clifford Harold Matheson (1893-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 13
Miss Catherine Matheson (1916-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 13

HMAS Sydney II

Mr. Edward Austin John Matheson (1923-1941), Australian Ordinary Seaman from Wentworth Falls, New South Wales, Australia, who sailed into battle aboard HMAS Sydney II and died in the sinking 14

SS Atlantic

Joseph Matheson, who was traveling aboard the ship "SS Atlantic" when it struck rocks off Nova Scotia in 1873, died in the sinking

Citations +

"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
"Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
"Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
"Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 11th April 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/emperor-alexander
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 7th October 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/bengal-merchant
State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) COMPETITOR 1848. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1848Competitor.gif
State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) CROMWELL 1849. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1849Cromwell.htm
South Australian Register Tuesday 3 February 1852. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) ANGLIA 1852. Retrieved http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/australia/anglia1852.shtml
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 19) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
Halifax Explosion Book of Remembrance | Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. (Retrieved 2014, June 23) . Retrieved from https://maritimemuseum.novascotia.ca/what-see-do/halifax-explosion/halifax-explosion-book-remembrance
HMAS Sydney II, Finding Sydney Foundation - Roll of Honour. (Retrieved 2014, April 24) . Retrieved from http://www.findingsydney.com/roll.asp