NameCensus.

UK surname

Mathieson

A surname of Scottish origin meaning "son of Matthew".

In the 1881 census there were 3,187 people recorded with the Mathieson surname, ranking it #1,414 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 4,178, ranked #1,623, down from #1,414 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Govan Combination, Edinburgh and Greenock. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Carse of Stirling, Galston and Kintyre Trail.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Mathieson is 4,257 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 31.1%.

1881 census count

3,187

Ranked #1,414

Modern count

4,178

2016, ranked #1,623

Peak year

2010

4,257 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Mathieson had 3,187 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #1,414 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 4,178 in 2016, ranked #1,623.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 4,006 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Legacy and Demographically Mixed Communities.

Mathieson surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Mathieson surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Mathieson 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 1,333 #2,153
1861 historical 1,807 #1,603
1881 historical 3,187 #1,414
1891 historical 3,486 #1,366
1901 historical 4,006 #1,409
1911 historical 557 #7,210
1997 modern 3,927 #1,658
1998 modern 4,073 #1,656
1999 modern 4,069 #1,667
2000 modern 4,097 #1,654
2001 modern 3,984 #1,660
2002 modern 4,137 #1,636
2003 modern 4,046 #1,632
2004 modern 4,040 #1,629
2005 modern 4,048 #1,604
2006 modern 4,042 #1,605
2007 modern 4,107 #1,598
2008 modern 4,159 #1,594
2009 modern 4,214 #1,609
2010 modern 4,257 #1,625
2011 modern 4,192 #1,630
2012 modern 4,084 #1,646
2013 modern 4,135 #1,654
2014 modern 4,187 #1,645
2015 modern 4,186 #1,628
2016 modern 4,178 #1,623

Geography

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Where Mathiesons are most common

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

The modern local-area list points to Carse of Stirling, Galston, Kintyre Trail, Campbeltown and Lochaber West. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 Govan Combination Lanark
2 Edinburgh Edinburgh
3 Greenock Renfrew
4 Glasgow Lanark
5 Paisley Abbey Renfrew

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Carse of Stirling Stirling
2 Galston East Ayrshire
3 Kintyre Trail Argyll and Bute
4 Campbeltown Argyll and Bute
5 Lochaber West Highland

Forenames

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First names often paired with Mathieson

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Mathieson

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Mathieson, 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 Mathieson surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Legacy and Demographically Mixed Communities, within Legacy Communities. This does not mean every Mathieson 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, Mathieson 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

Mathieson is most concentrated in decile 1 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.

1
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Mathieson falls in decile 10 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

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

10
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Mathieson is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 30-40 mbit/s.

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

6
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Mathieson

The surname Mathieson originated in Scotland, derived from the name Matthias, a Greek name meaning "gift of God." It first appeared in written records in the 12th century. The earliest recorded spelling was Matheson, found in records from the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides.

The name is thought to have emerged from the patronymic tradition, where a son's surname was formed by adding "son" to his father's given name. In this case, Mathieson likely referred to the son of a man named Mathies or Matthy, which were common Scottish diminutive forms of Matthias.

One of the earliest recorded bearers of the name was Donald Mathieson, who was mentioned in the Exchequer Rolls of Scotland in 1506. The Mathiesons were a prominent clan in the Outer Hebrides, particularly on the Isle of Lewis and Harris, where they held lands from the 16th century onwards.

A notable figure in the clan's history was Sir James Mathieson, 1st Baronet (1805-1878), a Scottish merchant and politician. He founded the firm of James Mathieson & Co., which traded in sugar and other goods between the West Indies and Scotland.

Another prominent Mathieson was Sir James Mathieson, 2nd Baronet (1832-1906), who served as a Member of Parliament for Ross and Cromarty from 1892 to 1906. He was also a successful businessman and landowner in Scotland.

In the literary world, Thomas Mathieson (1818-1887) was a Scottish poet and journalist known for his works such as "The Gloamin' Buchts" and "Glenbruar Glen."

The name Mathieson has also been associated with several place names in Scotland, such as Mathieson's Croft on the Isle of Lewis and Mathieson's Island in the Outer Hebrides.

While the name is predominantly Scottish, it has also spread to other parts of the world due to immigration. For instance, John Mathieson (1805-1860) was a Scottish-born farmer and politician who served as a member of the Legislative Council of New South Wales, Australia.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Mathieson families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Mathieson 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 716 Mathiesons recorded in 1881 and an index of 7.19x.

County Total Index
Lanarkshire 716 7.19x
Aberdeenshire 453 15.89x
Midlothian 301 7.30x
Renfrewshire 221 9.27x
Ayrshire 206 8.94x
Fife 136 7.46x
Argyllshire 131 15.29x
Kincardineshire 74 19.74x
Stirlingshire 71 6.25x
Angus 70 2.46x
Sutherland 62 26.20x
Inverness-shire 59 6.42x
Caithness 52 12.34x
Morayshire 52 10.87x
East Lothian 51 12.51x
Banffshire 47 7.36x
Ross-shire 44 5.21x
Roxburghshire 37 6.64x
Middlesex 35 0.11x
Durham 33 0.36x
Lancashire 33 0.09x
Dunbartonshire 28 3.39x
Northumberland 27 0.59x
West Lothian 22 4.75x
Shetland 21 6.68x
Perthshire 19 1.38x
Peeblesshire 17 11.74x
Cumberland 15 0.57x
Selkirkshire 15 5.39x
Yorkshire 15 0.05x
Kent 12 0.11x
Dumfriesshire 10 1.47x
Orkney 10 2.95x
Derbyshire 8 0.17x
Essex 8 0.13x
Hampshire 7 0.11x
Buteshire 5 2.68x
Wigtownshire 5 1.22x
Somerset 4 0.08x
Berwickshire 3 0.80x
Kirkcudbrightshire 3 0.67x
Rutland 3 1.33x
Cheshire 2 0.03x
Staffordshire 2 0.02x
Channel Islands 1 0.11x
Clackmannanshire 1 0.39x
Devon 1 0.02x
Kinross-shire 1 1.29x
Leicestershire 1 0.03x
Nairnshire 1 1.06x
Norfolk 1 0.02x
Royal Navy 1 0.27x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Barony in Lanarkshire leads with 232 Mathiesons recorded in 1881 and an index of 9.21x.

Place Total Index
Barony 232 9.21x
Govan 210 8.53x
Glasgow 123 6.96x
Aberdeen St Nicholas 121 22.69x
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 112 6.75x
Aberdeen Old Machar 109 18.32x
West Greenock 48 11.21x
South Leith 47 10.13x
Dundee 45 4.23x
Abbey 36 9.89x
Ardrossan 33 41.39x
Dalmellington 32 47.25x
East Greenock 31 13.76x
Campbeltown 28 27.09x
Newbattle 28 79.46x
Kildonan 26 126.89x
Falkirk 24 9.03x
Irvine 24 37.51x
Beath 22 38.21x
Hamilton 22 7.92x
New Monkland 22 7.48x
Auchterderran 21 45.84x
Edinkillie 21 168.54x
Larbert 21 30.95x
Fetteresso 20 34.05x
Wick 20 14.69x
Cupar 19 23.98x
Dalkeith 19 23.36x
Unst 18 78.29x
Dunoon Kilmun 17 25.45x
Durris 17 158.58x
Maryculter 17 150.58x
North Leith 17 8.91x
Paisley High Church 17 8.95x
Old Monkland 16 4.05x
Stevenston 16 26.65x
Cathcart 15 11.62x
Duddingston 15 18.12x
Kilmore Kilbride 15 27.58x
Rutherglen 15 10.27x
Dunfermline 14 5.00x
Galashiels 14 13.60x
Maryhill 14 7.19x
Fintray 13 119.49x
Killean Kilchenzie 13 89.29x
Newhills 13 22.28x
Old Cumnock 13 25.35x
Pendleton In Salford 13 2.99x
Wemyss 13 16.87x
Barvas 12 21.26x
Dumbarton 12 10.42x
Gartly 12 127.80x
Latheron 12 17.02x
Lismore Appin 12 42.09x
Pencaitland 12 103.27x
Prestonpans 12 43.89x
Dyce 11 89.58x
Inverness 11 4.76x
Ordiquhill 11 145.70x
Sleat 11 50.30x
Bothwell 10 3.70x
Gateshead 10 1.46x
Houston Killallan 10 43.33x
Huntly 10 21.56x
Kilcalmonell Kilberry 10 206.19x
Mearns 10 23.93x
New Cumnock 10 25.04x
Rathen 10 33.48x
Cadder 9 12.24x
Gamrie 9 12.63x
Kinghorn 9 23.27x
Melrose 9 18.67x
Monifieth 9 8.94x
Ormiston 9 83.26x
Paisley Middle Church 9 6.48x
Peebles 9 21.04x
Skene 9 47.62x
Tanfield 9 8.27x
Tranent 9 16.34x
Turriff 9 19.56x

Top female names

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

Top male names

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

FAQ

Mathieson surname: questions and answers

How common was the Mathieson surname in 1881?

In 1881, 3,187 people were recorded with the Mathieson surname. That placed it at #1,414 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Mathieson surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 4,178 in 2016. That gives Mathieson a modern rank of #1,623.

What does the Mathieson surname mean?

A surname of Scottish origin meaning "son of Matthew".

What does the Mathieson map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Mathieson 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.