Matz History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Germany

The German surname Matz emerged in the lands that formed the powerful German state of Prussia, which at one time was an immense territory that stretched from France and the Low Countries to the Baltic sea and Poland. After the fall of the Roman Empire, the German territories were inhabited by a variety of barbarian tribes. The borders of the barbarian kingdoms changed frequently, but the region that became known as Prussia was roughly divided between the areas of Brandenburg-Prussia, West Prussia, and East Prussia. By the 19th century, Brandenburg-Prussia had incorporated East Prussia, West Prussia and many other German territories. Moreover, in the late 19th century, it led the German states in the unification of Germany.

Early Origins of the Matz family

The surname Matz was first found in Prussia, where the family contributed greatly to the development of an emerging nation, and would later play a large role in the tribal and national conflicts of the area. The name stems from two sources which were continually mixed up throughout the Middle Ages, so they can no longer be differentiated: one was Matthaeus the Evangelist, who was patron saint of tax collectors, and the other was Mattias (Hebrew for "gift of the gods",) who was one of the twelve Apostles. In later years the name branched into many houses, each playing a significant role in local social and political affairs.

Early History of the Matz family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Matz research. Another 146 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1504, 1558, 1565, 1681, 1710, 1727, 1761, 1764, 1809, 1811 and 1831 are included under the topic Early Matz History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Matz Spelling Variations

One can encounter great variation in the spelling of surnames: in early times, spelling in general, and thus the spelling of names was not yet standardized; and later, spellings would change with branching and movement of families. Variations of the name Matz include Mathias, Matthias, Mathius, Matthius, Matheus, Mathesius, Matheson, Matthisson, Mathies, Mathiessen, Thiessen and many more.

Early Notables of the Matz family

Notable figures of the time with the name Matz were Johannes Mathesius (1504-1565), who was a friend and disciple of Martin Luther. He is the author of the first biography of Luther, and himself wrote hymns and sermons. Johann Mattheson (1681-1764) was a musician and translator and produced the first German imitation of "The Spectator."...
Another 54 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Matz Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Matz Ranking

In the United States, the name Matz is the 7,140^th most popular surname with an estimated 4,974 people with that name. 1

Matz migration to the United States +

Much of German history has been shaped by the state of Prussia. It was an enduring military power until after the Second World War. At that time, the state was abolished altogether and its land divided between the Soviet Union, Poland, East Germany and West Germany. While some Prussians were content to remain in those countries, others moved away, many of them migrating to North America. They entered the United States mostly through Philadelphia, moving on to Ohio, Texas, Illinois, California, New York, and Maryland. Others went to Canada, settling on the prairies and in the province of Ontario. Among those of this surname listed in various historical records were:

Matz Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Stephan Matz, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1732 2
Jacob Matz, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1735 2
Johann Michael Matz, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1763 2
Georg Matz, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1768 2
Paul Matz, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1773 2
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Matz Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Conrad Matz, who arrived in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1842 2
Wilhelmine Matz, who arrived in New York, NY in 1850 2
Anna Matz, who landed in Texas in 1854 2
Philip Matz, who arrived in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1856 2
Henriette Matz, who landed in Chile in 1887 2

Contemporary Notables of the name Matz (post 1700) +

Michael Matz, American equestrian rider
W. J. Matz, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Pennsylvania, 1876 3
Simon Matz, American Republican politician, Postmaster at Hays City, Kansas, 1872-78 3
Max Matz, American Republican politician, Alternate Delegate to Republican National Convention from West Virginia, 1932 3
Lewis E. Matz, American Democratic Party politician, Candidate for U.S. Representative from Ohio 16th District, 1903 3
Howard L. Matz, American Democratic Party politician, Candidate for Wisconsin State Assembly from Waukesha County 1st District, 1956 3
Edward M. Matz, American Democratic Party politician, Alternate Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Massachusetts, 1924 3
Roy Matz Goodman (1930-2014), American politician, Member of the New York State Senate from 1969 to 2002
Sally Matz Susman, American Democratic Party politician, Candidate for West Virginia State House of Delegates 27th District, 2010 4

Citations +

"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
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)
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 7) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, December 8) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html