UK surname
A variant of the English surname Matthews, derived from the given name Matthew, meaning "gift of God."
In the 1881 census there were 35 people recorded with the Mathes surname, ranking it #28,715 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 15, ranked #37,092, down from #28,715 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard, Northampton St Giles, Northampton St Sepulchre, Northampton Priory and Manchester. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Mathes is 104 in 1891. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 57.1%.
1881 census count
35
Ranked #28,715
Modern count
15
2016, ranked #37,092
Peak year
1891
104 bearers
Map years
1
1891 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Mathes surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Mathes surname density by area, 1891 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 | 21 | #29,550 |
| 1861 | historical | 94 | #21,883 |
| 1881 | historical | 35 | #28,715 |
| 1891 | historical | 104 | #23,388 |
| 1901 | historical | 39 | #29,799 |
| 1911 | historical | 24 | #30,800 |
| 1997 | modern | 9 | #37,214 |
| 1998 | modern | 11 | #36,908 |
| 1999 | modern | 12 | #36,806 |
| 2000 | modern | 12 | #36,749 |
| 2001 | modern | 8 | #37,124 |
| 2002 | modern | 11 | #36,780 |
| 2003 | modern | 7 | #37,397 |
| 2004 | modern | 8 | #37,346 |
| 2005 | modern | 8 | #37,422 |
| 2006 | modern | 7 | #37,634 |
| 2007 | modern | 9 | #37,435 |
| 2008 | modern | 11 | #37,270 |
| 2009 | modern | 10 | #37,446 |
| 2010 | modern | 14 | #37,124 |
| 2011 | modern | 17 | #36,839 |
| 2012 | modern | 17 | #36,811 |
| 2013 | modern | 14 | #37,127 |
| 2014 | modern | 16 | #36,974 |
| 2015 | modern | 15 | #37,070 |
| 2016 | modern | 15 | #37,092 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard, Northampton St Giles, Northampton St Sepulchre, Northampton Priory, Manchester, Dean and Aughton. 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 | Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard | Nottinghamshire |
| 2 | Northampton St Giles, Northampton St Sepulchre, Northampton Priory | Northamptonshire |
| 3 | Manchester | Lancashire |
| 4 | Dean | Lancashire |
| 5 | Aughton | Lancashire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Mathes 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 Mathes, 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 Mathes surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Mathes 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, Mathes 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 Mathes is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Mathes, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Mathes originated in Germany, with its roots tracing back to the 12th century. It is believed to have derived from the Germanic personal name Mathis or Matthias, which itself stems from the Hebrew name Mattathiah, meaning "gift of God."
One of the earliest recorded instances of the Mathes name can be found in the Codex Diplomaticus Saxoniae Regiae, a collection of historical documents from the region of Saxony, dating back to the 13th century. This collection mentions a certain "Mathes de Wilthen" in the year 1292.
In the 14th century, the Mathes name appeared in various records and manuscripts throughout Central Europe. For example, a "Johannes Mathes" is listed in the Stadtbuch von Freiburg im Breisgau, a municipal record book from the city of Freiburg, in the year 1348.
During the Renaissance period, the Mathes name gained prominence in certain regions of Germany. One notable individual was Hans Mathes (c. 1470-1534), a German painter and woodcarver from Nuremberg, renowned for his intricate altarpieces and religious artwork.
In the 17th century, the Mathes name could be found in various parts of the Holy Roman Empire. A prominent figure from this era was Johann Mathes (1617-1673), a German composer and organist who served as the Kapellmeister (chapel master) at the court of the Elector of Saxony in Dresden.
As the Mathes family spread across Europe, variations in spelling emerged, such as Mathies, Matthes, and Mattes. One notable bearer of this variant was Johann Matthes (1808-1892), a German-American artist and painter known for his landscapes and portraits.
Over the centuries, the Mathes name has been carried by individuals from various walks of life, including scholars, artisans, and military personnel. Some examples include Johann Friedrich Mathes (1782-1856), a German philologist and educator, and Friedrich Mathes (1888-1952), a German general who served in both World Wars.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Mathes 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. Lancashire leads with 11 Mathes' recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.64x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Lancashire | 11 | 2.64x |
| Northamptonshire | 10 | 30.28x |
| Middlesex | 5 | 1.42x |
| Midlothian | 2 | 4.25x |
| Staffordshire | 2 | 1.69x |
| Bedfordshire | 1 | 5.50x |
| Derbyshire | 1 | 1.82x |
| Durham | 1 | 0.96x |
| Northumberland | 1 | 1.91x |
| Royal Navy | 1 | 23.92x |
| Yorkshire | 1 | 0.29x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Northampton Priory St in Northamptonshire leads with 10 Mathes' recorded in 1881 and an index of 505.05x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Northampton Priory St | 10 | 505.05x |
| Aughton | 9 | 2195.12x |
| Limehouse London | 4 | 103.90x |
| North Leith | 2 | 91.74x |
| Over Darwen | 2 | 60.06x |
| Stoke Upon Trent | 2 | 15.91x |
| Brightside Bierlow | 1 | 14.66x |
| Luton | 1 | 31.75x |
| Monw Wearmouth Shore | 1 | 1000.00x |
| Tottenham | 1 | 17.89x |
| Westgate | 1 | 30.86x |
| Wingfield South | 1 | 666.67x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Mathes surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Mathes 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 Mathes households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 7 |
| Shoe Finisher | 3 |
| Loomer Cotton Mill | 2 |
| Annuitant | 1 |
| Blacksmith Striker | 1 |
| Domestic Servant | 1 |
| House & Land Owner | 1 |
| Master Baker | 1 |
| Pork Butcher Assistant | 1 |
| Potters Packer | 1 |
| Potters Packer Wife | 1 |
| Rivetter (Boot) | 1 |
| Sea Fareing | 1 |
| Sewer Straw Hat | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 35 people were recorded with the Mathes surname. That placed it at #28,715 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 15 in 2016. That gives Mathes a modern rank of #37,092.
A variant of the English surname Matthews, derived from the given name Matthew, meaning "gift of God."
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Mathes 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.