Show ContentsMattei History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The distinguished surname Mattei can be traced back to the ancient and beautiful region of Piedmont. The most common type of family name found in the region of Piedmont is the patronymic surname, derived from the father's given name. The surname Mattei came from the personal name Matteo, which is the Italian form of the English Matthew. Ultimately, the name was from the Hebrew Matthew the Apostle or Saint Matthew, one of the twelve apostles of Jesus and meant "gift of God."

This name was adopted into Latin as both Matthias and Matthaeus. During the medieval era, the personal name Matteo became popular as people often named their children after popular saints in the hopes that the child would enjoy that saint's patronage in later life.

Early Origins of the Mattei family

The surname Mattei was first found in Abruzzi, a region in central Italy. In those ancient times only persons of rank, the podesta, clergy, city officials, army officers, artists, landowners were entered into the records. To be recorded at this time, at the beginning of recorded history, was of itself a great distinction and indicative of noble ancestry.

Early History of the Mattei family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Mattei research. Another 149 words (11 lines of text) covering the years 1188, 1350, 1480, 1500, 1501, 1577, 1586, 1640, 1643, 1672, 1675, 1694, 1699, 1750, 1753, 1779, 1792, 1832, 1833 and 1863 are included under the topic Early Mattei History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Mattei Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Mattei, Mattedi, Matteini, Matteis, Matteo, Matteolli, Matteoni, Matteotti, Matteucci, Matteuzzi, Mattussi, Mattuzzi, Mattouzzi, Mattevi, Mattia, Mattiassi, Mattiato, Mattiazzi, Mattiello, Mattioni, Mattiuzzi, Mattissi, Mattucci, Matussi and many more.

Early Notables of the Mattei family

Prominent among members of the family was

  • Lapo Mazzei, was a humanist and public official in Prato in 1350 and Luigi Mattei (died 1675) was an Italian military General and Marquis de Belmonte. Vincenzo Matteucci was a renowned military leader...
  • Antonio Mazzoni was maestro di cappella in Bologna at this time, and produced many operas. Stanislao Mattei was a priest and choirmaster in Bologna and became maestro di cappella at San Francesco in 1...

Mattei Ranking

In France, the name Mattei is the 1,237th most popular surname with an estimated 4,548 people with that name. 1


United States Mattei migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Mattei Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Giacomo Mattei, who arrived in New York City in 1881
  • Achille Mattei, aged 23, who landed in America, in 1893
  • Adelina Mattei, aged 6, who immigrated to the United States, in 1896
  • Alessandro Mattei, aged 23, who immigrated to the United States, in 1896
  • Mr. Mattei, aged 27, who settled in America from Cereglia, in 1898
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Mattei Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Mr. Mattei, who landed in America, in 1902
  • Adamo Mattei, aged 24, who immigrated to the United States from Scheggia, in 1905
  • Adele Mattei, aged 32, who settled in America from Paris, France, in 1907
  • Agostino Mattei, aged 30, who landed in America from La Rixoure, Italy, in 1909
  • Alberto Mattei, aged 17, who immigrated to America from Lenola, Caserta, in 1913
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Mattei (post 1700) +

  • Janet Akyüz Mattei (1943-2004), Turkish American astronomer
  • Maurizio Mattei (1942-2021), Italian football referee and refereeing officer who died from COVID-19
  • Roberto de Mattei (b. 1948), Italian Roman Catholic historian and author
  • Giovanni Giacomo Mattei, Italian founder of one powerful branch of the house of Mattei
  • Tommaso Mattei, 17th century Italian architect
  • Attilio Mattei (b. 1902), Italian professional football player
  • Gaspare Mattei (1598-1650), Italian cardinal of the house of Mattei
  • Muzio Mattei (d. 1596), Italian nobleman of the House of Mattei
  • Paolo de Mattei (1662-1728), Italian painter
  • Stanislao Mattei (1750-1825), Italian composer, musicologist, and teacher
  • ... (Another 13 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)


  1. http://www.journaldesfemmes.com/nom-de-famille/nom/


Houseofnames.com on Facebook