Mathews History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms 

Origins Available: 
  England 
  Scotland 
  Wales 
  Ireland 


The surname Mathews 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 Mathews family

The surname Mathews 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 Mathews family

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

Mathews Spelling Variations

Spelling variations in names were a common occurrence in the eras before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate regularly changed the spellings of their names as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Mathews have been found, including Matthew, Matthews, Matthewson, Matheson, Mathew, Mathews and many more.

Early Notables of the Mathews family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was

Mathews World Ranking

In the United States, the name Mathews is the 552nd most popular surname with an estimated 52,227 people with that name. 1 However, in Australia, the name Mathews is ranked the 653rd most popular surname with an estimated 5,983 people with that name. 2 And in New Zealand, the name Mathews is the 757th popular surname with an estimated 962 people with that name. 3

Migration of the Mathews family to Ireland

Some of the Mathews 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.


Mathews migration to the United States +

For many English families, the social climate in England was oppressive and lacked opportunity for change. For such families, the shores of Ireland, Australia, and the New World beckoned. They left their homeland at great expense in ships that were overcrowded and full of disease. Many arrived after the long voyage sick, starving, and without a penny. But even those were greeted with greater opportunity than they could have experienced back home. Numerous English settlers who arrived in the United States and Canada at this time went on to make important contributions to the developing cultures of those countries. Many of those families went on to make significant contributions to the rapidly developing colonies in which they settled. Early North American records indicate many people bearing the name Mathews were among those contributors:

Mathews Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
Mathews Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
Mathews Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
Mathews Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Mathews migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Mathews Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
Mathews Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Mathews migration to Australia +

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

Mathews Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mathews 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:

Mathews Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Mathews 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. 13
Mathews Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century

Contemporary Notables of the name Mathews (post 1700) +


Suggested Readings for the name Mathews +
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