Contents [hide]

Matheson History Etymology Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables World Ranking

Ireland United States Australia New Zealand West Indies

Contemporary Notables Historic Events Related Stories Sources

Matheson History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Germany
Scotland
Ireland

Etymology of Matheson

What does the name Matheson mean?

The surname Matheson 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 Matheson family

The surname Matheson 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 Matheson family

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

Matheson Spelling Variations

A multitude of spelling variations characterize Norman surnames. Many variations occurred because Old and Middle English lacked any definite spelling rules. The introduction of Norman French to England also had a pronounced effect, as did the court languages of Latin and French. Therefore, one person was often referred to by several different spellings in a single lifetime. The various spellings include Matthew, Matthews, Matthewson, Matheson, Mathew, Mathews and many more.

Early Notables of the Matheson 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 Matheson Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Matheson World Ranking

In the United States, the name Matheson is the 4,442^nd most popular surname with an estimated 7,461 people with that name. 1 However, in Canada, the name Matheson is ranked the 613^rd most popular surname with an estimated 8,323 people with that name. 2 And in Australia, the name Matheson is the 668^th popular surname with an estimated 5,866 people with that name. 3 New Zealand ranks Matheson as 369^th with 1,729 people. 4

Migration of the Matheson family to Ireland

Some of the Matheson 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.

Matheson migration to the United States +

Many English families left England, to avoid the chaos of their homeland and migrated to the many British colonies abroad. Although the conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and some travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute, once in the colonies, many of the families prospered and made valuable contributions to the cultures of what would become the United States and Canada. Research into the origins of individual families in North America has revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name Matheson or a variant listed above:

Matheson Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Alexander Matheson, who arrived in Boston in 1736
Farquhar Matheson, who arrived in America in 1774
Hugh Matheson, who settled in Wilmington, North Carolina in 1774
Hugh and Kathrine Matheson, who settled in Wilmington, North Carolina in 1774
Hugh Matheson, aged 32, who arrived in Wilmington, North Carolina in 1774 5
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Matheson Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Rodk Matheson, who landed in South Carolina in 1811 5
Duncan Matheson, who landed in Georgia in 1811 5
Murdoch Matheson, aged 22, who arrived in Georgia in 1812 5
William Matheson, who arrived in Georgia in 1850 5
Donald Matheson, who arrived in Mississippi in 1892 5
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Matheson Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Alexander Carmichael Matheson, aged 38, who immigrated to the United States from London, England, in 1907
Alexander Matheson, aged 44, who settled in America from Glasgow, Scotland, in 1911
Alexandrina Matheson, aged 21, who landed in America from Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1912
Adam George Matheson, aged 22, who settled in America from Glasgow, Scotland, in 1918
Aeneas Matheson, aged 19, who landed in America from Lockinvar, Scotland, in 1923

Matheson migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Matheson Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

John Matheson, who settled in Pictou, Nova Scotia in 1773
William Matheson, who settled in Pictou, Nova Scotia in 1773
Ann Matheson, who landed in Pictou, Nova Scotia in 1773
Charles Matheson, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1773

Matheson Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Dugald Matheson, who settled in Canada in 1809
Alexander Matheson, Scottish settler who arrived in Churchill in 1812 before arriving in the Red River, Canada in 1814
John Matheson, aged 22, Scottish settler who arrived in Churchill in 1812 before arriving in the Red River, Canada in 1814
Angus Matheson, aged 30, who arrived in Canada in 1815
Helen Matheson, aged 21, who landed in Canada in 1815
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Matheson migration to Australia +

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

Matheson Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. George Matheson, Scottish convict who was convicted in Aberdeen, Scotland for life, transported aboard the "Emperor Alexander"on 6th April 1833, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 6
Mr. James Matheson who was convicted in Aberdeen, Scotland for 7 years, transported aboard the "Bengal Merchant" on 4th August 1836, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 7
Maxwell Matheson, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Competitor" in 1848 8
Henry Matheson, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Cromwell" in 1849 9
James Matheson, aged 22, a labourer, who arrived in South Australia in 1852 aboard the ship "Anglia" 10
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Matheson 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:

Matheson Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Mrs. J. Matheson, Canadian settler from Baddeck travelling from Cape Breton aboard the ship "Spray" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 25th June 1857 11
Mr. Angus Matheson, Canadian settler from Baddeck travelling from Cape Breton aboard the ship "Spray" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 25th June 1857 11
Mr. Duncan Matheson, Canadian settler from Baddeck travelling from Cape Breton aboard the ship "Spray" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 25th June 1857 11
Mr. George Matheson, Scottish labourer from Lybster travelling from Leith aboard the ship "Strathallan" arriving in Dunedin, Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 8th January 1858 11
Miss Betty Matheson, (b. 1828), aged 30, Scottish settler travelling from Glasgow aboard the ship "Strathfieldsaye" arriving in Port Chalmers, Dunedin, Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 29th April 1858 11
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Matheson (post 1700) +

John Ross Matheson OC, CD (1917-2013), Canadian lawyer, judge, and politician who was assigned by Prime Minister Lester Pearson to develop a new Canadian flag and the Order of Canada
Ivan Mack Matheson (1926-2016), American politician and farmer, Member of the Utah Senate (1977-1988)
Roderick Nicol Matheson (1824-1862), American commanding officer in the Union Army during the American Civil War
Richard Burton Matheson (1926-2013), American author and screenwriter, probably best known for his work "I am Legend" and his Twilight Zone screenplays, recipient of the World Fantasy Award for Life Achievement in 1984 and the Bram Stoker Award for Lifetime Achievement
Timothy Lewis "Tim" Matheson (b. 1947), American actor, director, and producer, best known for his role in the 1978 comedy National Lampoon's Animal House
Scott Milne Matheson (1929-1990), American politician, 12th Governor of Utah (1977-1985)
Max Matheson, American Chemist
Mac C. Matheson, American Republican politician, Candidate for U.S. Representative from Arizona 2nd District, 1960 12
L. Keith Matheson, American Republican politician, Elected New Hampshire State House of Representatives from Center Harbor 1956 12
John Hubbard Matheson (b. 1908), American Republican politician, Rock County District Attorney, 1935-40 12
... (Another 18 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Matheson family +

Halifax Explosion

Mr. John Robert Matheson (1868-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 13
Mr. Albert C. Matheson (1871-1917), English Warrant Officer aboard the HMCS Niobe from Todmorden, England, United Kingdom who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 13
Mr. Clifford Harold Matheson (1893-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 13
Miss Catherine Matheson (1916-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 13

HMAS Sydney II

Mr. Edward Austin John Matheson (1923-1941), Australian Ordinary Seaman from Wentworth Falls, New South Wales, Australia, who sailed into battle aboard HMAS Sydney II and died in the sinking 14

SS Atlantic

Joseph Matheson, who was traveling aboard the ship "SS Atlantic" when it struck rocks off Nova Scotia in 1873, died in the sinking

USS Indianapolis

Richard Robert Matheson, American crew member on board the ship "USS Indianapolis" when she was on a top secret trip for the first nuclear weapon, she was sunk by Japanese Navy on 30th July 1945, he was one of the many who were killed in the sinking due to exposure, dehydration, saltwater poisoning and shark attacks 15

Vimy Ridge

Andrew Colin Matheson (1892-1917), Canadian farmer, Private in the 44th Battalion from Manitoba who died at Vimy Ridge April 1917

Sources +

"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
"Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
"Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
"Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
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)
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 11th April 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/emperor-alexander
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 7th October 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/bengal-merchant
State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) COMPETITOR 1848. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1848Competitor.gif
State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) CROMWELL 1849. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1849Cromwell.htm
South Australian Register Tuesday 3 February 1852. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) ANGLIA 1852. Retrieved http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/australia/anglia1852.shtml
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 19) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
Halifax Explosion Book of Remembrance | Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. (Retrieved 2014, June 23) . Retrieved from https://maritimemuseum.novascotia.ca/what-see-do/halifax-explosion/halifax-explosion-book-remembrance
HMAS Sydney II, Finding Sydney Foundation - Roll of Honour. (Retrieved 2014, April 24) . Retrieved from http://www.findingsydney.com/roll.asp
Final Crew List, retrieved 2021, October 30th Retrieved from https://www.ussindianapolis.com/final-crew