UK surname
An English surname derived from the given name Matthias, meaning "gift of God".
In the 1881 census there were 133 people recorded with the Matherson surname, ranking it #16,676 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 29, ranked #36,059, down from #16,676 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Newcastle All Saints, Toxteth Park and St Paul Deptford, St Nicholas Deptford. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Matherson is 177 in 1891. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 78.2%.
1881 census count
133
Ranked #16,676
Modern count
29
2016, ranked #36,059
Peak year
1891
177 bearers
Map years
4
1861 to 1901
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Matherson surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Matherson surname density by area, 1881 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.
| Year | Period | Count | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1851 | historical | 54 | #23,577 |
| 1861 | historical | 172 | #13,619 |
| 1881 | historical | 133 | #16,676 |
| 1891 | historical | 177 | #16,330 |
| 1901 | historical | 123 | #20,248 |
| 1911 | historical | 57 | #27,099 |
| 1997 | modern | 44 | #33,275 |
| 1998 | modern | 34 | #34,433 |
| 1999 | modern | 38 | #34,142 |
| 2000 | modern | 28 | #35,080 |
| 2001 | modern | 23 | #35,451 |
| 2002 | modern | 19 | #35,991 |
| 2003 | modern | 25 | #35,471 |
| 2004 | modern | 18 | #36,245 |
| 2005 | modern | 19 | #36,247 |
| 2006 | modern | 21 | #36,179 |
| 2007 | modern | 29 | #35,725 |
| 2008 | modern | 28 | #35,875 |
| 2009 | modern | 27 | #36,045 |
| 2010 | modern | 36 | #35,620 |
| 2011 | modern | 29 | #36,004 |
| 2012 | modern | 28 | #36,048 |
| 2013 | modern | 29 | #36,040 |
| 2014 | modern | 29 | #36,058 |
| 2015 | modern | 30 | #35,979 |
| 2016 | modern | 29 | #36,059 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Newcastle All Saints, Toxteth Park, St Paul Deptford, St Nicholas Deptford, Golspie and Liverpool. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Newcastle All Saints | Northumberland |
| 2 | Toxteth Park | Lancashire |
| 3 | St Paul Deptford, St Nicholas Deptford | London (South Districts) |
| 4 | Golspie | Sutherland |
| 5 | Liverpool | Lancashire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Matherson surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Matherson, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.
These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.
The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.
UK neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Matherson surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Matherson household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Matherson is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Matherson is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Matherson, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Matherson is of Scottish origin, emerging from the Lowlands region in the late 12th century. It is derived from the Old English personal name "Mathurin," which itself stems from the Latin name "Mauritius." This name gained popularity after the canonization of St. Maurice, a 3rd-century Christian martyr from Egypt.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Matherson can be found in the annals of the Clan Matheson, a prominent Scottish clan with roots in the Highlands. The name was initially spelled as "Mathieson" or "Mathison," and it is believed to have originated from the Gaelic words "mac" (son of) and the personal name "Mathurin."
In the 13th century, a certain Gilbert Matherson was mentioned in the Exchequer Rolls of Scotland, which were financial records maintained by the royal treasury. This suggests that members of the Matherson family held positions of authority and influence during that period.
As the name spread throughout the British Isles, variations in spelling emerged, including Mathurson, Mathureson, and Mathurisson. These variations were likely influenced by regional dialects and the preferences of scribes who recorded the names.
One notable figure bearing the Matherson surname was Sir John Matherson (1564-1629), a Scottish landowner and member of the Scottish Parliament. He played a prominent role in the negotiations leading to the Union of the Crowns in 1603, which united the kingdoms of Scotland and England under King James VI of Scotland (also known as James I of England).
Another significant individual was Robert Matherson (1777-1858), a Scottish-born merchant and entrepreneur who made a fortune in the West Indies trade. He was known for his philanthropic efforts, including the establishment of the Matherson Trust, which supported educational initiatives in Scotland.
In the literary realm, the name Matherson was borne by Mary Matherson (1865-1944), a Scottish novelist and poet. Her works, which often explored themes of rural life and folklore, were widely acclaimed during her lifetime.
The Matherson surname also found its way across the Atlantic, with notable individuals such as William Matherson (1812-1890), a Canadian politician and businessman who served as a member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario.
These are just a few examples of individuals who carried the Matherson surname throughout history, reflecting its enduring presence across various regions and walks of life.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Matherson surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Middlesex leads with 24 Mathersons recorded in 1881 and an index of 1.84x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Middlesex | 24 | 1.84x |
| Lancashire | 21 | 1.35x |
| Cheshire | 14 | 4.85x |
| Yorkshire | 13 | 1.00x |
| Durham | 8 | 2.06x |
| Essex | 7 | 2.71x |
| Kent | 7 | 1.57x |
| Nottinghamshire | 7 | 3.97x |
| Staffordshire | 6 | 1.36x |
| Angus | 5 | 4.13x |
| Surrey | 5 | 0.79x |
| Cambridgeshire | 3 | 3.62x |
| Warwickshire | 3 | 0.91x |
| Derbyshire | 2 | 0.98x |
| Sussex | 2 | 0.91x |
| Dumfriesshire | 1 | 3.46x |
| Fife | 1 | 1.29x |
| Glamorgan | 1 | 0.44x |
| Lanarkshire | 1 | 0.24x |
| Midlothian | 1 | 0.57x |
| Monmouthshire | 1 | 1.06x |
| Worcestershire | 1 | 0.59x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Toxteth Park in Lancashire leads with 11 Mathersons recorded in 1881 and an index of 20.94x.
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Matherson surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
| Name | Count |
|---|---|
| Mary | 9 |
| Jane | 4 |
| Ann | 3 |
| Elizabeth | 3 |
| Emma | 3 |
| Sarah | 3 |
| Agnes | 2 |
| Alice | 2 |
| Charlotte | 2 |
| Eliza | 2 |
| Ellen | 2 |
| Louisa | 2 |
| Margaret | 2 |
| Amelia | 1 |
| Annah | 1 |
| Annie | 1 |
| Barbara | 1 |
| Bessie | 1 |
| Caroline | 1 |
| Clara | 1 |
| Edith | 1 |
| Elivina | 1 |
| Elvina | 1 |
| Flora | 1 |
| Florence | 1 |
| Georgina | 1 |
| Gwen | 1 |
| Helen | 1 |
| Hylda | 1 |
| Jeanie | 1 |
| Julia | 1 |
| Kate | 1 |
| Lavina | 1 |
| Lilly | 1 |
| Minnie | 1 |
| Pheobe | 1 |
| Phoebe | 1 |
| Rosa | 1 |
| Sophia | 1 |
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Matherson surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Matherson households.
FAQ
In 1881, 133 people were recorded with the Matherson surname. That placed it at #16,676 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 29 in 2016. That gives Matherson a modern rank of #36,059.
An English surname derived from the given name Matthias, meaning "gift of God".
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Matherson bearers relative to the surrounding population.
The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.