Matheson (surname)

Matheson is a surname derived from either an anglicised form of Scottish Gaelic surnames or the patronymic form of a short form of the English Matthew.^[1] This English personal name is ultimately derived from the Biblical Hebrew מַתִּתְיָהוּ‎ (mattiṯyāhū), which means "gift of God".^[2] An early record form of the surname Matheson is Mathyson, recorded in 1392;^[3][4] this recorded name literally means "son of Mathi"—Mathi being a pet form of Matthew.^[3] Two different Scottish Gaelic surnames have been Anglicised Matheson. One such surname is Mac Mhathghamhuin (Clan Matheson), which became Anglicised Matheson on account of its similar sound.^[4][5] This Gaelic surname is of an entirely different etymology than Matheson, as the Gaelic mathghamhuin means "bear".^{[4][5][6][note 1]} Another Gaelic surname Anglicised Matheson is Mac Matha.^[4] This Gaelic surname is derived from the patronymic form of a Gaelic form of Matthew^[4][5][10] (for example, the modern Scottish Gaelic Mata and Matha are cognates of the English Matthew).^[2]