Matthysen History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Scotland
Ireland

The surname Matthysen 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 Matthysen family

The surname Matthysen 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 Matthysen family

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

Matthysen 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 Matthysen family name include Matthew, Matthews, Matthewson, Matheson, Mathew, Mathews and many more.

Early Notables of the Matthysen family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Tobias Matthew (1546-1628), Archbishop of York, statesman and writer; Sir Tobie Matthew (1577-1655), English MP, courtier, diplomat and writer; Father Theobald Mathew (1790-1856), who campaigned in Ireland...
Another 34 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Matthysen Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Matthysen family to Ireland

Some of the Matthysen 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.

Matthysen 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 Matthysen family to immigrate North America:

Matthysen Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Peter Matthysen, who landed in New York in 1663 1
Pieter Matthysen, who arrived in New Netherland(s) in 1663 1

Contemporary Notables of the name Matthysen (post 1700) +

Elise Matthysen (b. 1992), retired Belgian swimmer
Hugo Matthysen (b. 1956), Belgian singer, guitarist, columnist, writer
Jan Matthysen, former Belgian ambassador to the United States (2009-2013)

Citations +

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)