Show ContentsMathes History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The surname Mathes is a patronymic surname created from the personal name Matthew.

Early Origins of the Mathes family

The surname Mathes was first found in Glamorganshire (Welsh: Sir Forgannwg), a region of South Wales, anciently part of the Welsh kingdom of Glywysing, where they held a family seat from early times and their first records appeared on the early census rolls taken by the early Kings of Britain to determine the rate of taxation of their subjects.

Early History of the Mathes family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Mathes research. Another 109 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1378, 1400, 1408, 1484, 1546, 1577, 1600, 1628, 1655, 1656, 1660, 1676, 1751, 1797 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Mathes History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Mathes Spelling Variations

Compared to other ancient cultures found in the British Isles, the number of Welsh surnames are relatively few, but there are an inordinately large number of spelling variations. These spelling variations began almost as soon as surname usage became common. People could not specify how to spell their own names leaving the specific recording up to the individual scribe or priest. Those recorders would then spell the names as they heard them, causing many different variations. Later, many Welsh names were recorded in English. This transliteration process was extremely imprecise since the Brythonic Celtic language of the Welsh used many sounds the English language was not accustomed to. Finally, some variations occurred by the individual's design: a branch loyalty within a family, a religious adherence, or even patriotic affiliations were indicated by spelling variations of one's name. The Mathes name over the years has been spelled Mathews, Mathew, Matthew, Matthews, Mathewes and others.

Early Notables of the Mathes family

Prominent amongst the family during the late Middle Ages was Sir David Mathew (1400-1484) was a Welsh knight, Lord of Llandaff, Seneschal of Llandaff Cathedral, one of the ten Great Barons of Glamorgan, Marcher Lord and Standard Bearer of England; Pope Matthew I of Alexandria (Matheos) (1378-1408), 87th Coptic Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St...
Another 59 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Mathes Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Mathes Ranking

In the United States, the name Mathes is the 5,188th most popular surname with an estimated 4,974 people with that name. 1

Migration of the Mathes family to Ireland

Some of the Mathes family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 92 words (7 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Mathes migration to the United States +

The Welsh began to emigrate to North America in the late 1800s and early 1900s in search of land, work, and freedom. Those that arrived helped shape the industry, commerce, and the cultural heritage of both Canada and the United States. The records regarding immigration and passenger show a number of people bearing the name Mathes:

Mathes Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • George Mathes, who arrived in New York in 1847 2
  • Cael Mathes, aged 28, who landed in Missouri in 1848 2
  • Catharine Mathes, aged 25, who arrived in New York, NY in 1849 2
  • Christian Mathes, who landed in Illinois in 1852 2
  • Maria Mathes, who arrived in North America in 1852 2
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Mathes (post 1700) +

  • Charles Mathes (b. 1949), American author of mystery novels
  • William Carey Mathes (1899-1967), United States federal judge
  • Harry Mathes (1882-1969), American painter in the New York art scene
  • Joseph John Mathes (1891-1978), American Major League Baseball infielder
  • Rob Mathes, American record producer, music arranger, composer, songwriter, and performer
  • Samuel Jay Mathes (1849-1927), American pioneer printer and newspaperman
  • Paul Mathes, American Democratic Party politician, Alternate Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Tennessee, 1944 3
  • Joseph A. Mathes, American Democratic Party politician, Candidate in primary for Michigan State House of Representatives from Kent County 3rd District, 1942 3
  • John D. Mathes, American Democratic Party politician, Postmaster at Columbus, Indiana, 1856-60 3
  • G. M. Mathes, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from North Carolina, 1876 3
  • ... (Another 4 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Bismarck
  • Fritz Mathes (1914-2002), German Bootsmannsmaat serving aboard the German Battleship Bismarck during World War II when it was sunk heading to France; he survived the sinking 4


The Mathes 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: Y fyn Duw a fydd
Motto Translation: What God wills, will be.


  1. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  2. 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)
  3. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 19) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
  4. Bismarck & Tirpitz Class - Crew List Bismarck. (Retrieved 2018, February 06). Retrieved from https://www.bismarck-class.dk/bismarck/crew/bismarck_crew.html#crew_details


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