Contents [hide]

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

Ireland United States Canada Australia New Zealand West Indies

Contemporary Notables Historic Events Related Stories Suggested Reading Citations

Matthews History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Scotland
Wales
Ireland

The surname Matthews 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 Matthews family

The surname Matthews 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 Matthews family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Matthews 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 Matthews History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Matthews Spelling Variations

Before the advent of the printing press and the first dictionaries, the English language was not standardized. Sound was what guided spelling in the Middle Ages, so one person's name was often recorded under several variations during a single lifetime. Spelling variations were common, even among the names of the most literate people. Known variations of the Matthews family name include Matthew, Matthews, Matthewson, Matheson, Mathew, Mathews and many more.

Early Notables of the Matthews family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was

Father Theobald Mathew (1790-1856), who campaigned in Ireland, England and North America. Shailer Mathews (1863-1941), the eminent American theologian who served as president of the Federal Council of...

Matthews World Ranking

In the United States, the name Matthews is the 169^th most popular surname with an estimated 139,272 people with that name. 1 However, in Canada, the name Matthews is ranked the 285^th most popular surname with an estimated 15,176 people with that name. 2 And in Newfoundland, Canada, the name Matthews is the 125^th popular surname with an estimated 290 people with that name. 3 Australia ranks Matthews as 83^rd with 29,255 people. 4 New Zealand ranks Matthews as 127^th with 3,618 people. 5 The United Kingdom ranks Matthews as 89^th with 52,209 people. 6 South Africa ranks Matthews as 496^th with 14,497 people. 7

Migration of the Matthews family to Ireland

Some of the Matthews 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.

Matthews migration to the United States +

To escape the political and religious chaos of this era, thousands of English families began to migrate to the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. The passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe; however, those who made the voyage safely were encountered opportunities that were not available to them in their homeland. Many of the families that reached the New World at this time went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations of the United States and Canada. Research into various historical records has revealed some of first members of the Matthews family to immigrate North America:

Matthews Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Samuel Matthews, who settled in Virginia from London in about 1618 and established a plantation at the mouth of the Warwick River
Francis Matthews, who landed in New England in 1631 8
James Matthews, who landed in Charlestown, Massachusetts in 1634 8
Edward Matthews, who arrived in Maryland in 1635 8
Mr. Roger Matthews, (b. 1607), aged 28, British settler who arrived in Virginia in 1635 aboard the ship "Abraham" 9
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Matthews Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Elizabeth Matthews, who arrived in Virginia in 1714 8
Elander Matthews, who arrived in Virginia in 1719 8
Maria Crete Matthews, aged 24, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1733 8
Jacob Matthews, who arrived in Georgia in 1739 8
Thomas Matthews, who immigrated to Boston in 1746
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Matthews Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

George Matthews, who arrived in Savanna(h), Georgia in 1805 8
Gilley Matthews, aged 21, who arrived in Delaware in 1812 8
Samuel Matthews, aged 20, who arrived in Connecticut in 1812 8
Richard Matthews, who landed in Charleston, South Carolina in 1819 8
Vincent I Matthews, who landed in Savanna(h), Georgia in 1824 8
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Matthews Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Mr. William Matthews, (b. 1845), aged 55, American mason returning from Cornwall, UK travelling aboard the ship "New York" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 15th April 1900 en route to Rockaway, New York, USA 10
Mrs. Margaret Matthews, (b. 1867), aged 33, Cornish settler, from St Ives, Cornwall, UK travelling aboard the ship "Umbria" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 26th August 1900 en route to Ishpeming, Michigan, USA 10
Mr. George Henry Matthews, (b. 1875), aged 25, Cornish gardener, from Mousehole, Cornwall, UK travelling aboard the ship "Campania" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 7th July 1900 en route to Braddock, Pennsylvania 10
Mrs. Martha Matthews, (b. 1842), aged 59, Cornish housekeeper, from Camborne, Cornwall, UK travelling aboard the ship "Majestic" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 3rd October 1901 en route to Angels Camp, California, USA 10
Mr. George Henry Matthews, (b. 1875), aged 28, Cornish rigger, from Mousehole, Cornwall, UK travelling aboard the ship "Germanic" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 4th September 1903 en route to Braddock, Pennsylvania, USA 10
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Matthews migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Matthews Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Bayard Matthews, who immigrated to Nova Scotia in 1784
Mr. James Matthews U.E. who settled in Canada c. 1784 11
Mr. Jonathan Matthews U.E., (Johnathan) who settled in Canada c. 1784 11
Mr. Thomas Matthews U.E. who settled in Canada c. 1784 11
Mr. Thomas Elmes Matthews U.E. who settled in Canada c. 1784 11

Matthews Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Marjorie Matthews, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1816
Thomas Matthews, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1826
Catherine Matthews, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1830
William Matthews, aged 20, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the brig "Dorcas Savage" from Belfast, Ireland
Mr. John Matthews, aged 30 who immigrated to Canada, arriving at the Grosse Isle Quarantine Station in Quebec aboard the ship "Frankfield" departing from the port of Liverpool, England but died on Grosse Isle in August 1847 12

Matthews migration to Australia +

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

Matthews Settlers in Australia in the 18th Century

Miss Elizabeth Matthews, English convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Bellona" in July 1792, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 13
Mr. George Matthews, (b. 1760), aged 37, English convict who was convicted in York, Yorkshire, England for 14 years for receiving stolen goods, transported aboard the "Barwell" in September 1797, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he died in 1806 14
Mr. John Matthews, English convict who was convicted in Lancaster, Lancashire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Barwell" in September 1797, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 14

Matthews Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. William Matthews, British Convict who was convicted in Hertfordshire, England for life, transported aboard the "Earl Cornwallis" in August 1800, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 15
Miss Mary Matthews, British Convict who was convicted in Surrey, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Experiment" on 4th December 1803, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 16
Mr. Robert Matthews, (b. 1773), aged 30, English mariner who was convicted in London, England for life for stealing, transported aboard the "Coromandel" on 4th December 1803, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he died in 1828 16
Mr. Charles Matthews, English convict who was convicted in Bristol, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Fame" on 9th October 1816, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 17
Mr. Richard Matthews (b. 1780), aged 37, Cornish settler convicted in Cornwall, UK on 27th March 1817, sentenced for 7 years for stealing items of clothing from Thomas Vigurs Lawrence and Catherine Roscrow, transported aboard the ship "Lady Castlereagh" on 22nd December 1817 to Van Diemen's Land, Tasmania, Australia 18
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Matthews 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:

Matthews Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

J Matthews, who landed in Kaitaia, New Zealand in 1838
R Matthews, who landed in Kaitaia, New Zealand in 1839
Charles Matthews, who landed in Wairarapa, New Zealand in 1840
Edmund Israel Matthews, who landed in Auckland, New Zealand in 1840
Richard Matthews, who landed in Auckland, New Zealand in 1840
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Matthews migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. 19

Matthews Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century

Mr. John Matthews, (b. 1619), aged 16, British settler travelling aboard the ship "The Dorset" arriving in Barbados in September 1635 20
Ann Matthews, who immigrated to Barbados in 1659

Matthews Settlers in West Indies in the 19th Century

Mr. George Matthews, (b. 1869), aged 23, Cornish rope maker travelling aboard the ship "Majestic" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 28th January 1892 en route to Havana, Cuba 10
Mr. William Matthews, (b. 1866), aged 26, Cornish rope maker travelling aboard the ship "Majestic" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 28th January 1892 en route to Havana, Cuba 10

Contemporary Notables of the name Matthews (post 1700) +

Mussenden Ebenezer Matthews (1750-1830), early settler in Iredell County, North Carolina, military officer in the American Revolution, speaker pro tem of the North Carolina House of Commons, plantation owner, and elder in the Fourth Creek Congregation Presbyterian Church
Auston Taylour Matthews (b. 1997), American professional ice hockey center and alternate captain for the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League (NHL)
Will Bunn "Bunny" Matthews III (1951-2021), American cartoonist and writer from the Greater New Orleans Area
Jason Matthews (1951-2021), American author of the Red Sparrow spy novel trilogy
Mildred Shapley Matthews (1915-2016), American book editor and writer known for her astronomy books
Michael Shane Matthews (b. 1970), former American college and professional football quarterback
Charles Ray Matthews (b. 1939), American businessman, former member and chairman of the Texas Railroad Commission
Don Matthews (b. 1939), a.k.a. "The Don", American retired head coach of several teams in the CFL, won 231 games, inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in September 2011
Clay Matthews III (b. 1986), American NFL football linebacker for the Green Bay Packers, NFC Defensive Player of the Year (2010), Butkus Award (2010)
Christopher John "Chris" Matthews (b. 1945), American news anchor and political commentator, known for his show, Hardball with Chris Matthews
... (Another 26 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Matthews family +

Air New Zealand Flight 901

Miss Barbara Dawn Matthews (1919-1979), New Zealander passenger, from Palmerston, South Island, New Zealand aboard the Air New Zealand Flight 901 for an Antarctic sightseeing flight when it flew into Mount Erebus; she died in the crash 21

Empress of Ireland

Mr. John Matthews, British Trimmer from United Kingdom who worked aboard the Empress of Ireland (1914) and survived the sinking 22

Halifax Explosion

Master Willie Matthews (1917-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 23
Mr. William Matthews (1883-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 23
Mrs. Clara Matthews (1886-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 23
Miss Doris Melba Matthews (1915-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 23

Hillsborough disaster

Brian Christopher Matthews (1950-1989), English financial consultant who was attending the FA Cup semi-final at Hillsborough Stadium, in Sheffield, Yorkshire when the stand allocated area became overcrowded and 96 people were crushed in what became known as the Hillsborough disaster and he died from his injuries 24

HMS Dorsetshire

William Arthur Leonard Matthews (d. 1945), British Supply Chief Petty Officer aboard the HMS Dorsetshire when she was struck by air bombers and sunk; he died in the sinking 25

HMS Hood

Mr. William D Matthews (b. 1921), English Able Seaman serving for the Royal Navy from Petersfield, Hampshire, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 26
Mr. Stanley G Matthews (b. 1918), English Ordinary Telegraphist serving for the Royal Navy from London, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 26
Mr. Albert G Matthews (b. 1917), English Stoker 2nd Class serving for the Royal Navy from Bordon, Hampshire, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 26

HMS Prince of Wales

Mr. Robert Matthews, British Chief Sailmaker, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and died in the sinking 27

HMS Repulse

Mr. William Edward Matthews (b. 1922), British Able Bodied Seaman, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse (1941) and died in the sinking 28
Mr. Norman Leonard Matthews (b. 1920), English Stoker 1st Class from Shirehampton, Bristol, England, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse (1941) and died in the sinking 28
Mr. Edward J Matthews (b. 1921), English Able Bodied Seaman from Portsmouth, England, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse (1941) and survived the sinking 28

HMS Royal Oak

Francis Herbert Matthews (1921-1939), British Seaman with the Royal Navy aboard the HMS Royal Oak (1939) when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he died in the sinking 29

RMS Lusitania

Mr. Henry Matthews, English Second Waiter from England, who worked aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and survived the sinking 30
Mr. Thomas Matthews, American 3rd Class passenger from Calumet, Illinois, USA, who sailed aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and survived the sinking 31
Mrs. Annie Matthews, Canadian 2nd Class passenger from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, who sailed aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and died in the sinking 31
Lieutenant Robert Matthews, Canadian 2nd Class passenger from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada going to England to enlist, who sailed aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and died in the sinking and was recovered 31

RMS Titanic

Mr. William John Matthews (d. 1912), aged 30, English Second Class passenger from St Austell, Cornwall who sailed aboard the RMS Titanic and died in the sinking 32

Senghenydd colliery

Mr. Edward Matthews (b. 1852), Welsh coal miner from Penyrheol, Caerphilly, Wales who was working at the Senghenydd colliery when there was an explosion on the 14th October 1913; he died
Mr. Richard Matthews (b. 1876), Welsh coal miner from Senghenydd, Caerphilly, Wales who was working at the Senghenydd colliery when there was an explosion on the 14th October 1913; he died

SS Caribou

Mr. John Matthews (b. 1923), British crew member was travelling aboard the railway ferry "SS Caribou" when it was struck by a German submarine torpedo on 14th October 1942, the most significant sinking in Canadian waters at that time, he survived the sinking, died in 2008

SS Newfoundland

Mr. Robert Matthews (1888-1914), Newfoundlander from New Perlican, who on the 30th March 1914 he was part of the Seal Crew of the "SS Newfoundland" leaving the ship to intercept the Stephano which took him to the hunting grounds, he disembarked to begin sealing, but was caught in a thickening storm, attempting to return to the Newfoundland he and the 132 crew made camp for two days the sealers were stranded on the ice in a blizzard attempting to return to the ship, he died during this time

Victoria steamboat disaster

Annie May Matthews, Canadian passenger who was killed in the Victoria steamboat disaster when the boat capsized in 1881

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
The order of Common Surnames in 1955 in Newfoundland retrieved on 20th October 2021 (retrieved from Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland by E.R. Seary corrected edition ISBN 0-7735-1782-0)
"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
"UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
"Most Common Last Names in South Africa." Forebears, https://forebears.io/south-africa/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)
Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's. Retrieved January 6th 2023 from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 3rd May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_ellis_island_1892_on.pdf
Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X
Charbonneau, André, and Doris Drolet-Dubé. A Register of Deceased Persons at Sea and on Grosse Île in 1847. The Minister of Canadian Heritage, 1997. ISBN: 0-660-198/1-1997E (p. 42)
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 5th October 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/bellona
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 29th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/barwell
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 13th August 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/earl-cornwallis
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 22nd March 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/coromandel-and-experiment
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 27th September 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/fairlie
Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 30th May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_australia_convicts.pdf
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
Pilgrim Ship Lists Early 1600's retrieved 29th September 2021. Retrieved from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
Mount Erebus, Memorial, Roll of Remembrance (Retrieved 2018, February 21st). Retrieved from http://www.erebus.co.nz/memorialandawards/rollofremembrance.aspx
Commemoration Empress of Ireland 2014. (Retrieved 2014, June 17) . Retrieved from http://www.empress2014.ca/seclangen/listepsc1.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
Hillsborough Victims (retreived 21st March 2021). Retreived from https://metro.co.uk/2019/04/15/remembering-96-victims-hillsborough-disaster-30-years-9206566/
Force Z Survivors HMS Dorsetshire Crew List, (Retrieved 2018, February 13th), https://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listdorsetshirecrew.html
H.M.S. Hood Association-Battle Cruiser Hood: Crew Information - H.M.S. Hood Rolls of Honour, Men Lost in the Sinking of H.M.S. Hood, 24th May 1941. (Retrieved 2016, July 15) . Retrieved from http://www.hmshood.com/crew/memorial/roh_24may41.htm
HMS Prince of Wales Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listprincecrew.html
HMS Repulse Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listrepulsecrew.html
Ships hit by U-boats crew list HMS Royal Oak (08) - (Retrieved 2018 February, 9th) - retrieved from https://uboat.net/allies/merchants/crews/ship68.html
Lusitania Passenger List - The Lusitania Resource. (Retrieved 2014, March 7) . Retrieved from http://www.rmslusitania.info/lusitania-passenger-list/
Lusitania Passenger List - The Lusitania Resource. (Retrieved 2014, March 6) . Retrieved from http://www.rmslusitania.info/lusitania-passenger-list/
Titanic Passenger List - Titanic Facts. (Retrieved 2016, July 13) . Retrieved from http://www.titanicfacts.net/titanic-passenger-list.html