NameCensus.

UK surname

Mathie

A surname of Scottish origin derived from the personal name Matte or Matthew.

In the 1881 census there were 616 people recorded with the Mathie surname, ranking it #5,709 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 612, ranked #8,580, down from #5,709 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Kilbride, Govan Combination and Edinburgh. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Keppochhill, East Clober and Mains Estate and Copeland.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Mathie is 669 in 2000. Compared with 1881, the name has stayed broadly stable by 0.6%.

1881 census count

616

Ranked #5,709

Modern count

612

2016, ranked #8,580

Peak year

2000

669 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Mathie had 616 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #5,709 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 612 in 2016, ranked #8,580.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 667 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Legacy and Demographically Mixed Communities.

Mathie surname distribution map

The map shows where the Mathie surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.

Distribution map

Mathie surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Mathie over time

The 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 493 #5,073
1861 historical 390 #6,567
1881 historical 616 #5,709
1891 historical 629 #6,149
1901 historical 667 #6,517
1911 historical 134 #19,131
1997 modern 647 #7,677
1998 modern 648 #7,930
1999 modern 660 #7,857
2000 modern 669 #7,758
2001 modern 649 #7,803
2002 modern 645 #7,998
2003 modern 617 #8,150
2004 modern 623 #8,109
2005 modern 615 #8,113
2006 modern 622 #8,073
2007 modern 618 #8,174
2008 modern 612 #8,279
2009 modern 615 #8,440
2010 modern 628 #8,485
2011 modern 618 #8,490
2012 modern 609 #8,508
2013 modern 606 #8,678
2014 modern 612 #8,667
2015 modern 601 #8,723
2016 modern 612 #8,580

Geography

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Where Mathies are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Kilbride, Govan Combination, Edinburgh, Greenock and Glasgow. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Keppochhill, East Clober and Mains Estate, Copeland, Kingston upon Hull and Wirral. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Some modern areas include a three-digit suffix, such as Leeds 110. The suffix is a small-area code, so it stays in the table while the prose uses the plain place name.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 Kilbride Bute
2 Govan Combination Lanark
3 Edinburgh Edinburgh
4 Greenock Renfrew
5 Glasgow Lanark

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Keppochhill Glasgow City
2 East Clober and Mains Estate East Dunbartonshire
3 Copeland 008 Copeland
4 Kingston upon Hull 025 Kingston upon Hull, City of
5 Wirral 034 Wirral

Forenames

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First names often paired with Mathie

These lists show first names that appear often with the Mathie surname in historical and recent records.

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Mathie

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Mathie, 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

UK Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Legacy Communities

Group

Legacy and Demographically Mixed Communities

Nationally, the Mathie surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Legacy and Demographically Mixed Communities, within Legacy Communities. This does not mean every Mathie household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Households in these areas often include divorced or separated parents and commonly include children and young adults. The age structure is heavily skewed towards the most advanced age groups. Individuals identifying as members of ethnic minorities are not present in large numbers. Flats predominate, with some terraced, semi-detached, and detached units. Multiple car ownership is low, and housing is predominantly in the private and social rented sectors. Employment is less skewed towards traditional routine industrial occupations. Levels of educational attainment are generally low. The Group occurs principally in the Central Lowlands of Scotland and other Scottish towns.

Wider pattern

These neighbourhoods characteristically comprise pockets of flats that are scattered across the UK, particularly in towns that retain or have legacies of heavy industry or are in more remote seaside locations. Employed residents of these neighbourhoods work mainly in low-skilled occupations. Residents typically have limited educational qualifications. Unemployment is above average. Some residents live in overcrowded housing within the social rented sector and experience long-term disability. All adult age groups are represented, although there is an overall age bias towards elderly people in general and the very old in particular. Individuals identifying as belonging to ethnic minorities or Mixed or Multiple ethnic groups are uncommon.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Mathie is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Mainly located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Mathie is most concentrated in decile 2 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the less healthy end of the index.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

2
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Mathie falls in decile 1 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

1
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Mathie is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of Over 70 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

10
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

This describes the area pattern most associated with Mathie, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Mathie

The surname Mathie originated in Scotland, with the earliest records dating back to the 13th century. It is believed to have derived from the personal name Matthias, which is a Greek name meaning "gift of God." The name may have been introduced to Scotland by early Christian missionaries or through cultural exchange with other parts of Europe.

In its early forms, the name was spelled in various ways, such as Mathie, Mathey, Mathy, and Mathieson. These variations reflect the regional dialects and linguistic influences of the areas where the name was prevalent.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Ragman Rolls of 1296, a collection of homage rolls to King Edward I of England. The name appears as "Mathie de Innernys," indicating an individual from Inverness, Scotland.

During the 16th century, the name gained prominence in the Scottish Lowlands, particularly in the regions of Fife, Angus, and Perthshire. Several notable individuals bearing the name emerged during this period, including William Mathie (c. 1545-1612), a scholar and theologian from St. Andrews, who authored several religious texts.

In the 17th century, the name Mathie was associated with the town of Auchterderran in Fife. Records from this time mention John Mathie (c. 1620-1690), a local landowner and influential figure in the community.

As the name spread across Scotland, it also took on variations influenced by local place names. For instance, in the Highlands, the name was sometimes rendered as "Mathieson," reflecting the influence of the Gaelic language and naming traditions.

One notable bearer of the name in the 18th century was James Mathie (1737-1805), a merchant and landowner from Aberdeenshire. He played a significant role in the development of the local economy and was involved in various civic and charitable endeavors.

In the 19th century, the name Mathie became more widely dispersed as Scottish emigrants sought new opportunities in other parts of the world. Among the notable individuals of this era was Alexander Mathie (1821-1890), a Scottish-born engineer who contributed significantly to the development of early railway systems in Australia.

Throughout its history, the surname Mathie has been carried by individuals from various walks of life, including scholars, landowners, merchants, and professionals. While its origins can be traced back to Scotland, the name has since spread across the globe, reflecting the migration patterns and cultural exchanges that have shaped human societies over the centuries.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Mathie families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Mathie surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.

Top counties

Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Lanarkshire leads with 189 Mathies recorded in 1881 and an index of 9.90x.

County Total Index
Lanarkshire 189 9.90x
Renfrewshire 90 19.68x
Ayrshire 57 12.91x
Midlothian 45 5.69x
Fife 33 9.45x
Stirlingshire 31 14.24x
Middlesex 28 0.47x
Buteshire 26 72.71x
Dunbartonshire 14 8.83x
Lancashire 14 0.20x
Durham 12 0.68x
Surrey 11 0.38x
Peeblesshire 10 36.02x
Perthshire 8 3.02x
Northumberland 6 0.68x
Cambridgeshire 5 1.34x
Dumfriesshire 5 3.84x
Essex 4 0.34x
Selkirkshire 4 7.49x
West Lothian 3 3.38x
Argyllshire 2 1.22x
Clackmannanshire 2 4.10x
Hampshire 2 0.17x
Nottinghamshire 2 0.25x
Angus 1 0.18x
Warwickshire 1 0.07x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Govan in Lanarkshire leads with 57 Mathies recorded in 1881 and an index of 12.08x.

Place Total Index
Govan 57 12.08x
Barony 43 8.90x
Glasgow 29 8.56x
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 20 6.29x
Abbey 19 27.23x
Kilbride 18 409.09x
Old Monkland 17 22.45x
Stirling 16 58.31x
Paisley High Church 15 41.20x
Bothwell 13 25.12x
Dalserf 13 68.24x
Port Glasgow 13 58.80x
Ardrossan 12 78.48x
Carnock 11 514.02x
Dalziel 11 53.58x
Innerleithen 10 135.69x
St George Martyr 10 100.50x
Dreghorn 9 112.50x
Kilmarnock 9 17.12x
Neilston 9 39.20x
West Greenock 9 10.96x
Denny 8 69.08x
Dysart 8 34.00x
Kilmory 8 153.55x
Edinburgh New 7 114.01x
Loudoun 7 65.91x
Markinch 7 59.02x
New Kilpatrick 7 46.39x
North Leith 7 19.13x
Stockton On Tees 7 8.27x
Cathcart 6 24.25x
Duddingston 6 37.81x
Falkirk 6 11.78x
Inverkip 6 55.66x
Islington London 6 1.05x
Kilwinning 6 42.08x
Paisley Middle Church 6 22.53x
Tarbolton 6 82.53x
Chesterton 5 43.40x
Gretna 5 204.08x
Riccarton 5 75.08x
St Marylebone London 5 1.59x
Clapham 4 5.42x
Cramond 4 66.78x
Elswick 4 5.71x
Hamilton 4 7.51x
Kirkdale 4 3.40x
Layton With Warbreck 4 15.56x
Melrose 4 29.76x
Old Kilpatrick 4 21.34x
Poplar London 4 3.59x
Tulliallan 4 89.09x
West Ham 4 1.56x
Westoe 4 4.02x
Camberwell 3 0.80x
East Greenock 3 6.95x
Lambeth 3 0.58x
Leslie 3 33.90x
Logie 3 31.58x
Queensferry 3 138.25x
Aldershot 2 4.94x
Alloa 2 8.46x
Belford 2 106.95x
Campbeltown 2 10.09x
Dunfermline 2 3.72x
Kirkintilloch 2 9.29x
Rufford 2 298.51x
Salford 2 0.97x
St Andrews 2 12.58x
Stewarton 2 22.88x
West Derby 2 0.98x
Bishopwearmouth 1 0.66x
Dumbarton 1 4.53x
Dundee 1 0.49x
Erskine 1 30.12x
Inchinnan 1 97.09x
Longforgan 1 26.67x
Renfrew 1 6.62x
Shotts 1 4.38x
Stretford 1 2.60x

Top female names

These are the female first names most often recorded with the Mathie surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
Mary 5
Jane 3
Sarah 3
Alison 2
Eliza 2
Elizabeth 2
Emily 2
Isabella 2
Maria 2
Marian 2
Ada 1
Agnes 1
Agness 1
Amy 1
Ann 1
Annelle 1
Edith 1
Ellen 1
Jeanie 1
Jessie 1
Louise 1
Maggie 1
Margaret 1
Martha 1
Matilda 1
Maud 1
Mildred 1
Susan 1

Top male names

These are the male first names most often recorded with the Mathie surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
James 8
John 5
William 4
Alexander 2
Alfred 2
Andrew 2
Frederick 2
Joseph 2
Thomas 2
Wm. 2
Andw. 1
Archbold 1
Benjamin 1
Charles 1
David 1
Edgar 1
Frank 1
George 1
Harry 1
Jas. 1
Jesse 1

FAQ

Mathie surname: questions and answers

How common was the Mathie surname in 1881?

In 1881, 616 people were recorded with the Mathie surname. That placed it at #5,709 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Mathie surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 612 in 2016. That gives Mathie a modern rank of #8,580.

What does the Mathie surname mean?

A surname of Scottish origin derived from the personal name Matte or Matthew.

What does the Mathie map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Mathie bearers relative to the surrounding population.

What records is this surname page based on?

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.