Surname Matthijssen - Meaning and Origin

Matthijssen: What does the surname Matthijssen mean?

The last name Matthijssen is of Dutch origin, and is a patronymic surname derived from the personal name Matthijs. Commonly found in the Dutch province of Friesland as a form of Matthijsen, the name is a combination of the two elements, “Matthijs” and “-sen”, meaning “son of Matthijs”. It spread to the Netherlands, as well as various other countries in Europe, such as Germany, France, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. It is especially popular in the Netherlands, and is also found in the United States, where it was imported by Dutch immigrants who settled in America during the period between 1660 and 1725.

It is believed that the Matthijssen surname originated in Medieval times. It was traditionally given to the son of a Matthijs, meaning “Matthijs’ son”, and was often used to distinguish between sons of a father with the same name. The name was also used to distinguish between extended families who share a female ancestor with the same surname.

The Matthijssen family is part of a larger Dutch population that kept its last name when countries began to implement new laws requiring that all citizens adopt a standard surname, usually derived from the father’s name. As a result, many people kept their original family name, which enabled individuals of the same family to trace back their roots more easily.

Matthijssen: Where does the name Matthijssen come from?

Today, the last name Matthijssen is most commonly found in the Netherlands, particularly in the provinces of Noord-Holland and Friesland. It is also somewhat prevalent in Germany and Belgium. The literal translation of Matthijssen is 'son of Matthijs', which in itself is fairly common in Dutch culture. Its earliest known usage dates to 1245, when the name was used to refer to a particular inhabitant of the Dutch city of Utrecht.

The Matthijssen surname is well-represented in the Netherlands today, especially within the larger cities like Amsterdam, Utrecht, Arnhem, and Rotterdam. Matthijssen is also one of the most popular surnames among Netherlands-based emigrants who have settled in the United States, where it is seen in some parts of the Midwest and in Florida.

The Netherlands may be the country with the highest proportion of people with the last name Matthijssen, but other countries where Matthijssen is popular include Germany, Belgium, Canada, France, Australia, Austria, and the United Kingdom. Additionally, certain branches of the family have relocated to South Africa and the Caribbean.

Considering its longevity, it is unsurprising that the last name Matthijssen is still found in many parts of the world today. Its presence is a reminder of a rich and continuous Dutch cultural heritage.

Variations of the surname Matthijssen

The surname Matthijssen can vary in several ways, including Matthiasen, Matthisson, and Mattson. It is a patronymic surname, meaning the name is based on the personal name of the father of the original bearer of the surname. Matthijssen is derived from the Dutch given name Matthijs, which is the Dutch variant of the Greek name Matthias.

Variations of the name Matthijssen that are less commonly seen include Mathiasen, Mathiassen, Matthesen, Matheisen, Mathesen, Matheason, Matheson, Mattheson, Matheusen, Mathiusen, Mathiuson, Mathiesen and Mathison.

The surname Matthijssen can also be found with a variety of spellings, including Mattijsen, Matthiessen, Mattiessen, Mattijssen, Matijssen, Mattijsen, Matijsen, Mattizsen, Matizsen, Matiszen and Matthizsen. All of these spellings are associated with the Dutch given name Matthijs.

The spelling variants of the surname Matthijssen can also be found with double O’s and I’s, such as Mattioessen, Mattiioessen, Matthioessen, Matthiioessen, Mathioessen and Mathiioessen.

A few derivative surnames also exist, such as Matthijsse, Matthijssema and Matthijsser.

In summary, there are many possible variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Matthijssen. Depending on the region or country, many variations of the spelling and pronunciation of the name can be found.

Famous people with the name Matthijssen

• Veerle Matthijssen: Flemish film, television and theater actress. She is best known for her role as Marijke in De Helaasheid der Dingen (2009).
• Erwin Matthijssen: Dutch soccer player. He most notably played for Groningen, and scored their first two goals in continental competition against FC Differdange 03.
• Pim Matthijssen: Dutch speed skater. He won a bronze medal in the 5,000 metre event at the 1938 FIS World Allround Speed Skating Championships.
• Joeri Matthijssen: Belgian professional racing cyclist. He currently competes for Burgos-BH.
• Julien Matthijssen: Belgian football defender. He currently plays for Genk in the Belgian Pro League.
• Maud Matthijssen: Dutch equestrian. She won a bronze medal at the 2012 Summer Olympics in Eventing in London, as part of the Dutch team.
• Mathieu Matthijssen: Belgian footballer, who currently plays for Waasland-Beveren in the Belgian Pro League.
• Rianne Matthijssen: Dutch professional beach volleyball player. She most notably competed with Roxanne van Aalst at the 2019 FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championships.
• Nikki Matthijssen: Dutch professional volleyball player. She currently plays for Chemik Police in the Orlen Liga.
• Bob Matthijssen: Dutch film director and screenwriter. His most notable works include the fashionable teen-drama 'Angst' (1994).

Other surnames

Matthijs