Matthews History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

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

Early Origins of the Matthews family

The surname Matthews 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 Matthews family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Matthews research.

Matthews Spelling Variations

Although there are not an extremely large number Welsh surnames, there are an inordinately large number of spelling variations of those surnames. This variety of spellings began almost immediately after the acceptance of surnames within Welsh society. As time progressed, these old Brythonic names were eventually were recorded in English. This process was problematic in that many of the highly inflected sounds of the native language of Wales could not be properly captured in English. Some families, however, did decide to modify their own names to indicate a branch loyalty within the family, a religious adherence, or even a patriotic affiliation. The name Matthews has seen various spelling variations: Mathews, Mathew, Matthew, Matthews, Mathewes and others.

Early Notables of the Matthews family (pre 1700)

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.

Matthews World Ranking

In the United States, the name Matthews is the 169^th most popular surname with an estimated 139,272 people with that name. [1] However, in Canada, the name Matthews is ranked the 285^thmost popular surname with an estimated 15,176 people with that name. [2] And in Newfoundland, Canada, the name Matthews is the 125^th popular surname with an estimated 290 people with that name. [3] Australia ranks Matthews as 83^rd with 29,255 people. [4] New Zealand ranks Matthews as 127^th with 3,618 people. [5] The United Kingdom ranks Matthews as 89^th with 52,209 people. [6] South Africa ranks Matthews as 496^th with 14,497 people. [7]

 Migration of the Matthews family to Ireland

Some of the Matthews family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.

 Matthews migration to the United States +

In the 1800s and 1900s, many Welsh families left for North America, in search of land, work, and freedom. Those who made the trip successfully helped contribute to the growth of industry, commerce, and the cultural heritage of both Canada and the United States. In the immigration and passenger lists were a number of people bearing the name Matthews 

Matthews Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

• Samuel Matthews, who settled in Virginia from London in about 1618 and established a plantation at the mouth of the Warwick River
• Francis Matthews, who landed in New England in 1631 [8]
• James Matthews, who landed in Charlestown, Massachusetts in 1634 [8]
• Edward Matthews, who arrived in Maryland in 1635 [8]
• Mr. Roger Matthews, (b. 1607), aged 28, British settler who arrived in Virginia in 1635 aboard the ship “Abraham” [9]

Matthews Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

• Elizabeth Matthews, who arrived in Virginia in 1714 [8]
• Elander Matthews, who arrived in Virginia in 1719 [8]
• Maria Crete Matthews, aged 24, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1733 [8]
• Jacob Matthews, who arrived in Georgia in 1739 [8]
• Thomas Matthews, who immigrated to Boston in 1746

Matthews Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

• George Matthews, who arrived in Savanna(h), Georgia in 1805 [8]
• Gilley Matthews, aged 21, who arrived in Delaware in 1812 [8]
• Samuel Matthews, aged 20, who arrived in Connecticut in 1812 [8]
• Richard Matthews, who landed in Charleston, South Carolina in 1819 [8]
• Vincent I Matthews, who landed in Savanna(h), Georgia in 1824 [8]

Matthews Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

• Mr. William Matthews, (b. 1845), aged 55, American mason returning from Cornwall, UK travelling aboard the ship “New York” arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 15th April 1900 en route to Rockaway, New York, USA [10]
• Mrs. Margaret Matthews, (b. 1867), aged 33, Cornish settler, from St Ives, Cornwall, UK travelling aboard the ship “Umbria” arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 26th August 1900 en route to Ishpeming, Michigan, USA [10]
• Mr. George Henry Matthews, (b. 1875), aged 25, Cornish gardener, from Mousehole, Cornwall, UK travelling aboard the ship “Campania” arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 7th July 1900 en route to Braddock, Pennsylvania [10]
• Mrs. Martha Matthews, (b. 1842), aged 59, Cornish housekeeper, from Camborne, Cornwall, UK travelling aboard the ship “Majestic” arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 3rd October 1901 en route to Angels Camp, California, USA [10]
• Mr. George Henry Matthews, (b. 1875), aged 28, Cornish rigger, from Mousehole, Cornwall, UK travelling aboard the ship “Germanic” arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 4th September 1903 en route to Braddock, Pennsylvania, USA [10