Contents [hide]

Mathie History Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables

Ireland United States Canada New Zealand

Contemporary Notables Related Stories Motto Citations

Mathie History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Scotland
Ireland

On the western coast of Scotland and on the Hebrides islands the Mathie family was born among the ancient Dalriadan clans. Their name comes from the son of Matthew. 1 In Gaelic, the name was spelled M'Mhathain or Mathanach. The latter names in Gaelic were probably derived from Mac Mhathghamhuin which means son of the bear. Indeed, early references of the name have reference to the Scottish bear. 2 3

Today, early legal records provide a plethora of information about the family with various early spellings. Some of the first records include, "Robertus filius Mathei [who] witnessed a charter by Walter filius Alani, a. 1177. John Mathyson and Michael Mathowson were outlawed as part guilty of the slaughter of Walter de Ogilvy, Sheriff of Angus, in 1392." 3

Early Origins of the Mathie family

The surname Mathie was first found in the Scottish Highlands were they could be found in Lochalsh, Lochcarron and Kintail. They are said to descend from Gilleoin of the ancient and royal house of Lorne. They gave their allegiance to the Clan MacDonald, the Lord of the Isles. Kenneth MacMathan (Cormac Mac Mathian) was the constable of Eilean Donan castle and is recorded in most accounts of the invasion of King Haakon IV of Norway against Scotland in the 13th century. One accounts suggests that McMathan and his clansmen fought under the Earl of Ross, defeating Haaken at Largs in 1263.

There is a record of Kermac Macmaghan in Inverness, receiving 20 cows from the Earl of Ross in 1264. "In the Norse Saga he is called Kjarmak son of Makamal = Corniac Macmathan. The Siol Mhathain, a sept of Matheson, in an old Gaelic song appears as Siol Mhothan. Matheson has been adopted as the English form of the name simply on account of the similarity of sound." 3

Early History of the Mathie family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Mathie research. Another 418 words (30 lines of text) covering the years 1263, 1400, 1411, 1427, 1498, 1514, 1539, 1570, 1600, 1631, 1683, 1688, 1715, 1719, 1796, 1820, 1851, 1878 and 1963 are included under the topic Early Mathie History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Mathie Spelling Variations

In various documents Mathie has been spelled Since medieval scribes still spelled according to sound, records from that era contain an enormous number of spelling variations. Mathieson, MacMaghan, MacMathan MacMaken, Mathie, Mann and many more.

Early Notables of the Mathie family

Notable amongst the Clan from early times was Margaret Matson, one of two women tried in Philadelphia for witchcraft in 1683; Sir James Nicolas Sutherland Matheson (1796-1878), born in Shiness, Lairg, who made a great fortune in the opium trade, and was created the 1st Baronet of Lewis in 1851. His family proceeded to buy the former Clan territories: James Matheson...
Another 60 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Mathie Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

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 30 words (2 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Mathie migration to the United States +

Dalriadan families proliferated in North America. Their descendants still populate many communities in the eastern parts of both the United States and Canada. Some settled in Canada as United Empire Loyalists, in the wake of the American War of Independence. Families on both sides of the border have recovered much of their heritage in the 20th century through Clan societies and highland games. Analysis of immigration records indicates that some of the first North American immigrants bore the name Mathie or a variant listed above:

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.)

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

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 4
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 4
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 4
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 4
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 4
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Mathie (post 1700) +

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

The Mathie Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Fac et Spera
Motto Translation: Do and hope.

Citations +

Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html