NameCensus.

UK surname

Matthias

A variant of the Biblical name Matthew, meaning "gift of Yahweh" in Hebrew.

In the 1881 census there were 360 people recorded with the Matthias surname, ranking it #8,596 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 799, ranked #6,918, up from #8,596 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Gresford, Wrexham and Cardiff St John and St Mary. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Wrexham.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Matthias is 825 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 121.9%.

1881 census count

360

Ranked #8,596

Modern count

799

2016, ranked #6,918

Peak year

2014

825 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Matthias had 360 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #8,596 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 799 in 2016, ranked #6,918.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 745 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Matthias surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Matthias surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Matthias 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 224 #9,534
1861 historical 195 #12,263
1881 historical 360 #8,596
1891 historical 615 #6,260
1901 historical 745 #5,975
1911 historical 614 #6,717
1997 modern 720 #7,082
1998 modern 799 #6,757
1999 modern 805 #6,754
2000 modern 796 #6,803
2001 modern 783 #6,756
2002 modern 809 #6,712
2003 modern 809 #6,598
2004 modern 808 #6,617
2005 modern 783 #6,711
2006 modern 782 #6,752
2007 modern 770 #6,911
2008 modern 773 #6,944
2009 modern 806 #6,843
2010 modern 815 #6,912
2011 modern 804 #6,918
2012 modern 793 #6,888
2013 modern 819 #6,808
2014 modern 825 #6,808
2015 modern 812 #6,843
2016 modern 799 #6,918

Geography

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Where Matthias' are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Gresford, Wrexham, Cardiff St John and St Mary, Swansea and London parishes. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Wrexham. 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 Gresford Denbighshire
2 Wrexham Denbighshire
3 Cardiff St John and St Mary Glamorganshire
4 Swansea Glamorganshire
5 London parishes London 2

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Wrexham 006 Wrexham
2 Wrexham 005 Wrexham
3 Wrexham 003 Wrexham
4 Wrexham 020 Wrexham
5 Wrexham 004 Wrexham

Forenames

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First names often paired with Matthias

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Matthias

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

Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities

Group

Rural Amenity

Nationally, the Matthias surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Matthias household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group comprises older parents or retirees, with no resident dependent children, and with the lowest residential densities in this Supergroup. Predominantly UK-born, residents typically live in detached houses, although others do live in semi-detached and terraced properties. The level of multiple car ownership is the highest in this Supergroup. Most houses are owner occupied although social renting is also present. Many concentrations occur in high amenity rural locations, such as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Wider pattern

Pervasive throughout the UK, members of this Supergroup typically own (or are buying) their detached, semi-detached or terraced homes. They are also typically educated to A Level/Highers or degree level and work in skilled or professional occupations. Typically born in the UK, some families have children, although the median adult age is above 45 and some property has become under-occupied after children have left home. This Supergroup is pervasive not only in suburban locations, but also in neighbourhoods at or beyond the edge of cities that adjoin rural parts of the country.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Matthias 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

Matthias 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

Matthias falls in decile 6 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname near the middle of the scale.

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

6
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Matthias 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 Matthias, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Matthias

The surname Matthias is derived from the Hebrew name Mattathiah, which means "gift of God." The name has its origins in ancient Israel, and it was later adopted by early Christians as a personal name.

The earliest recorded instances of the surname Matthias can be found in medieval European records, particularly in Germany and the surrounding regions. It is believed that the name was introduced to these areas by early Christian missionaries and travelers.

One of the earliest known references to the surname Matthias is found in the Codex Diplomaticus Saxoniae Regiae, a collection of medieval documents from Saxony, which dates back to the 12th century. In this codex, there are mentions of individuals with the surname Matthias, indicating its use in the region during that time period.

Another notable historical reference is the appearance of the name in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of landowners and property commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. The Domesday Book includes entries for individuals with the surname Matthias, suggesting its presence in England during the Norman period.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the surname Matthias was Johannes Matthias (c. 1290-1349), a German theologian and philosopher who was a prominent figure in the scholastic tradition. Another notable bearer of the name was Annius Matthias (1483-1558), a Dutch humanist scholar and historian who authored several works on ancient Roman history.

In the 16th century, Matthias Grünewald (c. 1470-1528), a renowned German Renaissance painter, became famous for his masterpiece, the Isenheim Altarpiece. His distinctive style and use of vivid colors influenced generations of artists.

During the 17th century, Matthias Buchinger (1674-1739), a German artist and calligrapher, gained recognition for his exceptional calligraphy skills despite being born without hands or feet. His intricate works were highly sought after by European aristocracy.

In the 19th century, Matthias Jakob Schleiden (1804-1881), a German botanist, made significant contributions to the field of plant anatomy and is credited with developing the cell theory, which laid the foundation for modern cell biology.

These are just a few examples of individuals who have carried the surname Matthias throughout history, each leaving their mark in various fields and contributing to the rich cultural tapestry associated with this name.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Matthias families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Matthias 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. Denbighshire leads with 70 Matthias' recorded in 1881 and an index of 52.48x.

County Total Index
Denbighshire 70 52.48x
Glamorgan 46 7.48x
Staffordshire 42 3.52x
Pembrokeshire 28 24.95x
Middlesex 27 0.76x
Lancashire 25 0.60x
Gloucestershire 20 2.89x
Carmarthenshire 19 12.77x
Hampshire 10 1.38x
Surrey 10 0.58x
Flintshire 9 9.48x
Derbyshire 8 1.45x
Kent 8 0.66x
Devon 7 0.95x
Brecknockshire 5 7.08x
Cardiganshire 5 5.81x
Herefordshire 3 2.07x
Monmouthshire 3 1.18x
Royal Navy 3 7.13x
Ayrshire 2 0.76x
Cheshire 2 0.26x
Lanarkshire 2 0.18x
Yorkshire 2 0.06x
Berkshire 1 0.38x
Buckinghamshire 1 0.47x
Cornwall 1 0.25x
Durham 1 0.10x
Somerset 1 0.18x
Wiltshire 1 0.32x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Broughton in Denbighshire leads with 44 Matthias' recorded in 1881 and an index of 839.69x.

Place Total Index
Broughton 44 839.69x
Stoke Upon Trent 31 24.53x
Brymbo 25 537.63x
West Derby 11 8.97x
Llandilo Talybont 9 278.64x
Portsea 9 6.34x
Tryddyn 9 436.89x
Bristol St Augustine 8 71.56x
Claylane 8 104.17x
Shoreditch London 8 5.23x
Llangennech 7 294.12x
Madeley 7 235.69x
Cardiff St John 6 29.88x
Gloucester Holy Trinity 6 1000.00x
Leckwith 6 413.79x
Llanfallteg 6 1276.60x
Merthyr Tydfil 6 10.15x
Newcastle Higher 6 143.88x
Bethnal Green London 5 3.26x
Carew 5 446.43x
Exeter St Mary Steps 5 301.20x
Great Bolton 5 9.01x
Llanelly 5 14.92x
Llantrisant 5 32.26x
Battersea 4 3.08x
Burslem 4 11.72x
Haverfordwest St Martin 4 192.31x
Llanpumpsaint 4 655.74x
Llywel 4 261.44x
Rosemarket 4 975.61x
Westleigh 4 42.06x
Deptford St Paul 3 3.23x
Llangranog 3 315.79x
Meline 3 697.67x
Putney 3 18.65x
St Pancras London 3 1.06x
Swansea Town 3 5.95x
Ystradyfodwg 3 5.56x
Bayvil 2 1176.47x
Bedwellty 2 4.44x
Beith 2 25.35x
Birkenhead 2 3.22x
Bromley London 2 2.57x
Chatham 2 6.04x
Govan 2 0.71x
Handsworth 2 21.62x
Lewisham 2 3.11x
Royal Navy 2 5.56x
Stackpole Elidor 2 555.56x
Stoke Newington London 2 7.27x
Toxteth Park 2 1.41x
Tupsley 2 162.60x
Wotton St Mary 2 55.71x
Abernant 1 112.36x
Ashford 1 35.84x
Bristol St James St Paul 1 4.33x
Charlcombe 1 133.33x
Cilcennin 1 163.93x
Clifton 1 2.86x
Devizes St James 1 24.10x
Eton 1 20.66x
Exeter St Paul 1 68.49x
Hedworth Monkton Jarrow 1 2.20x
Kensington London 1 0.51x
Lambeth 1 0.32x
Llandilo Fawr 1 15.08x
Llantwit Vairdre 1 14.47x
Llanwnda 1 82.64x
Lower Ystradgynlais 1 22.94x
Mitcham 1 9.20x
Moss Side 1 4.54x
Penboyr 1 64.52x
Plymouth St Andrew 1 1.77x
St Anne Soho London 1 4.96x
St Botolph Aldersgate 1 24.69x
Tottington Lower End 1 5.02x
Wandsworth 1 2.94x
Wantage 1 23.64x
West Dean 1 8.89x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 29
Elizabeth 18
Sarah 16
Ann 13
Jane 8
Margaret 8
Eliza 6
Annie 5
Martha 5
Hannah 4
Eleanor 3
Ellen 3
Louisa 3
Alice 2
Anne 2
Caroline 2
Charlotte 2
Edith 2
Elizh. 2
Esther 2
Frances 2
Lydia 2
M. 2
Phoebe 2
Amy 1
Anna 1
Betsey 1
Betsy 1
Blanche 1
Candia 1
Cordelia 1
Elijah 1
Elizth. 1
Ellenor 1
Emily 1
Emma 1
Fanny 1
Hester 1
K. 1
Lilian 1
Lilla 1
Magdalen 1
Margaretta 1
Maria 1
Marian 1
Marie 1
Marion 1
Matilda 1
Nellie 1
Phebe 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 32
Thomas 21
William 18
Henry 10
Edward 9
David 8
George 8
Joseph 7
Charles 5
James 4
Robert 4
Samuel 4
Alfred 3
Frederick 3
Peter 3
Wm. 3
Arthur 2
Daniel 2
Ernest 2
Evan 2
Richd. 2
Thos. 2
Albert 1
Benjamin 1
Benjn. 1
Chas. 1
Edw.D. 1
Edwd. 1
Edwin 1
Essex 1
Fredrick 1
Gomer 1
Hugh 1
Idris 1
Isac 1
Job 1
Johanne 1
Josiah 1
Lewis 1
Oswald 1
Otto 1
Owen 1
Phillip 1
Richard 1
Simon 1
Tom. 1
W.E. 1
Walter 1

FAQ

Matthias surname: questions and answers

How common was the Matthias surname in 1881?

In 1881, 360 people were recorded with the Matthias surname. That placed it at #8,596 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Matthias surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 799 in 2016. That gives Matthias a modern rank of #6,918.

What does the Matthias surname mean?

A variant of the Biblical name Matthew, meaning "gift of Yahweh" in Hebrew.

What does the Matthias map show?

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