UK surname
A patronymic surname derived from the given name Matthew, meaning "gift of God".
In the 1881 census there were 38 people recorded with the Mathewes surname, ranking it #28,285 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 2, ranked #38,825, down from #28,285 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Hawkesbury, Bedworth and Chute. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Mathewes is 109 in 1851. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 94.7%.
1881 census count
38
Ranked #28,285
Modern count
2
2016, ranked #38,825
Peak year
1851
109 bearers
Map years
1
1851 to 1851
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Mathewes surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Mathewes surname density by area, 1851 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 | 109 | #16,212 |
| 1861 | historical | 19 | #31,470 |
| 1881 | historical | 38 | #28,285 |
| 1891 | historical | 17 | #32,787 |
| 1901 | historical | 40 | #29,678 |
| 1911 | historical | 17 | #31,675 |
| 1997 | modern | 3 | #38,317 |
| 1998 | modern | 2 | #38,550 |
| 1999 | modern | 2 | #38,551 |
| 2002 | modern | 1 | #38,709 |
| 2003 | modern | 1 | #38,735 |
| 2004 | modern | 1 | #38,771 |
| 2005 | modern | 1 | #38,814 |
| 2006 | modern | 1 | #38,879 |
| 2007 | modern | 2 | #38,617 |
| 2008 | modern | 1 | #38,949 |
| 2009 | modern | 1 | #38,998 |
| 2010 | modern | 2 | #38,775 |
| 2011 | modern | 3 | #38,546 |
| 2012 | modern | 3 | #38,530 |
| 2013 | modern | 2 | #38,761 |
| 2014 | modern | 2 | #38,791 |
| 2015 | modern | 2 | #38,793 |
| 2016 | modern | 2 | #38,825 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Hawkesbury, Bedworth, Chute, Claverdon and Frensham. 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 | Hawkesbury | Gloucestershire |
| 2 | Bedworth | Warwickshire |
| 3 | Chute | Hampshire |
| 4 | Claverdon | Warwickshire |
| 5 | Frensham | Surrey |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Mathewes 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 Mathewes, 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 Mathewes surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Mathewes 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, Mathewes 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 Mathewes is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Mathewes, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Mathewes has its origins in medieval England, deriving from the given name Matthew. This name is ultimately of Hebrew origin, meaning "gift of God." The Mathewes surname emerged from the patronymic tradition, where it was initially used to indicate "son of Matthew."
In early documents from the 13th century, the surname appears with various spellings such as Matheu, Mathew, and Mathews. It spread across different regions of England, including Yorkshire, Worcestershire, and Lancashire. The name was particularly prevalent in the county of Cornwall, where it can be traced back to the 14th century.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the Mathewes surname appears in the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire from 1275, which lists a Thomas Matheu. Another early reference is found in the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire from 1301, where a John Mathew is mentioned.
The surname Mathewes has a strong association with place names in England. For example, the village of Mathewes in Herefordshire takes its name from the surname, suggesting that the family held land in the area. Similarly, the hamlet of Mathews Green in Worcestershire is believed to be derived from the same source.
Among notable individuals bearing the Mathewes surname, one can mention William Mathewes (c. 1470-1532), a Welsh politician and Member of Parliament for Pembrokeshire. In the literary realm, Charles Mathewes (1776-1835) was an English playwright and author known for his comedies and farces.
Another prominent figure was Sir John Charles Mathew (1870-1923), a British judge and politician who served as Lord Justice of Appeal and a member of the Privy Council. Additionally, Sir Robert Mathew (1506-1557) was a Welsh landowner and Member of Parliament during the reign of Queen Mary I.
The Mathewes surname has also been associated with military service. One example is Lieutenant General Sir Ivor Mathew (1880-1966), a British Army officer who served in both World Wars and received numerous honors, including the Military Cross and the Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Mathewes 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. Gloucestershire leads with 8 Mathewes' recorded in 1881 and an index of 11.01x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Gloucestershire | 8 | 11.01x |
| Monmouthshire | 7 | 26.14x |
| Surrey | 5 | 2.77x |
| Lancashire | 4 | 0.91x |
| Nottinghamshire | 3 | 6.01x |
| Cumberland | 2 | 6.27x |
| Leicestershire | 2 | 4.87x |
| Wiltshire | 2 | 6.11x |
| Berkshire | 1 | 3.60x |
| Herefordshire | 1 | 6.58x |
| Norfolk | 1 | 1.76x |
| Oxfordshire | 1 | 4.37x |
| Yorkshire | 1 | 0.27x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Hawkesbury in Gloucestershire leads with 8 Mathewes' recorded in 1881 and an index of 3200.00x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Hawkesbury | 8 | 3200.00x |
| Bedwellty | 7 | 147.99x |
| Sutton | 5 | 381.68x |
| Todmorden Walsden | 4 | 338.98x |
| Spalford | 3 | 15000.00x |
| Barkby | 2 | 2500.00x |
| Highworth | 2 | 476.19x |
| Rickergate | 2 | 298.51x |
| Ecclesfield | 1 | 37.17x |
| Eggleton | 1 | 5000.00x |
| Great Yarmouth | 1 | 21.19x |
| Oxford St Peter In East | 1 | 1111.11x |
| Sandhurst | 1 | 185.19x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Mathewes 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 Mathewes 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 Mathewes households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 10 |
| Ag Lab | 2 |
| Annuitant (No Occ) | 2 |
| Retired | 2 |
| Discount Agent | 1 |
| Domestic Servant | 1 |
| Foreman Slatlare | 1 |
| Gentleman Cadet | 1 |
| Groom & Gardner (Dom) | 1 |
| Housekeeper | 1 |
| Labourer In Steel Works | 1 |
| Labourers Wife | 1 |
| Monmouthshire | 1 |
| Reyler | 1 |
| Rowler In Steel Works | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 38 people were recorded with the Mathewes surname. That placed it at #28,285 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 2 in 2016. That gives Mathewes a modern rank of #38,825.
A patronymic surname 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 Mathewes 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.