Last Name Mateus

The surname Mateus (or Matthews) has origins rooted in several different cultures and languages. In Germanic, Scandinavian, and English-speaking regions, it is a patronymic name derived from Matthew, one of the twelve apostles in Christian biblical tradition whose name means "gift of God." In Hebrew, Matthew's original name is Matityahu, which translates to "gift of Yahweh" or "given by Yahweh." Additionally, it can also be a variant form of the Portuguese and Spanish surname Mateu, which has roots in Medieval Catalonia. In this context, the name may have been occupational, indicating someone who was a carpenter (Spanish: matador de tijeras; Catalan: matger) or perhaps a shepherd. The name's diversity in origins and spread across various cultures reflects the rich history and migrations that characterized medieval Europe.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Mateus

The meaning and origin of the last name Mateus

The surname Mateus (or Matthews) has its origins in various European countries, primarily Portugal, Germany, England, and Greece. It derives from the given name Matthew, which is a New Testament name meaning "gift of God." In Hebrew, it's spelled מַתִּיתְיָהו or Matityahu, and in Aramaic, it's מַטְתַי (Mattatha). Over time, the name underwent linguistic adaptations, leading to the Portuguese form Mateus. The spread of this surname can be attributed to historical events such as the Roman conquest, Christian missionary work, and migration patterns. Today, it remains a common surname in many parts of the world, with diverse cultural backgrounds.

Geographical distribution of the last name Mateus

The last name Mateus is predominantly found across Portuguese-speaking countries, particularly in Portugal and Brazil, due to its origin as a variant of the biblical name Matthew. In Portugal, it's one of the most common surnames, and it can also be found in some former Portuguese colonies like Angola, Mozambique, and Cape Verde. In Brazil, it ranks among the top 100 most common surnames. Beyond these regions, Mateus is also present in immigrant communities in countries such as the United States, Canada, and Australia, reflecting historical movements of Portuguese and Brazilian populations. It's interesting to note that variations like Mathews or Matthews can be found in English-speaking countries, particularly in North America, originating from these same roots.

Variants and spellings of the last name Mateus

The surname Mateus has various spellings and regional variations. Here are some common versions:

1. Mateus - This is the most standardized spelling, originating from Portugal and Brazil. It is pronounced as "mah-tews" in both countries.
2. Matheus - This is a variation primarily used in Brazilian Portuguese and Spanish. The pronunciation remains similar to the Portuguese version.
3. Mathias - A variant found mainly in regions with historical Germanic or Scandinavian influences, such as Portugal and Brazil. It is pronounced as "mah-thee-us" in English.
4. Matheo - A phonetic spelling of Mateus, more commonly used in non-Latin speaking countries where the name may be transliterated from Portuguese or Spanish. The pronunciation follows the local language's rules.
5. Mathéus - This is a French variant that uses the acute accent over the "e" to indicate the stressed syllable. It is pronounced as "mah-tey".
6. Mathews - A variation found in English-speaking countries, derived from the Latin name Matthias. It is pronounced as "mathes".
7. Mattheus - A Dutch and Flemish variant of Mathias or Mateus. The pronunciation varies regionally but generally sounds like "mahthey-us" in English.
8. Mattiou - A less common French spelling, with the "t" replaced by a "tt". It is pronounced similarly to Matheus.

Famous people with the last name Mateus

Notable individuals with the surname Mateus include:

1. Fernando Pessoa (1888-1935), a Portuguese poet and philosopher who wrote under a plethora of pseudonyms, including Álvaro de Campos and Ricardo Reis. He is considered one of the most important literary figures of the 20th century.

2. Nuno Mateus (born 1976), a Portuguese professional footballer who played as a midfielder for various clubs in Portugal, Spain, England, and Greece. He represented the Portugal national team in multiple international tournaments.

3. Joaquim José de Souza Mateus (1861-1932), a Brazilian politician who served as the president of Brazil from 1894 to 1898. He played a significant role during the Republican Revolution of 1889 and was instrumental in establishing the Republic of Brazil.

4. Adriano de Souza Mateus (born 1987), a professional surfer from Brazil who has won multiple ASP World Tour events, including the 2013 and 2015 World Surf League championships. He is considered one of the greatest surfers in history.

These individuals, through their various fields of expertise, have made significant contributions to their respective domains and continue to be celebrated globally.

Genealogical research on the last name Mateus

The surname Mateus originates from the Iberian Peninsula, being predominantly Portuguese and Spanish in origin. It is derived from the given name "Mateus," which is the Portuguese and Galician form of the biblical name "Mathew." In both Portugal and Spain, it is a common surname due to its biblical origins and popular usage as a personal name during the Middle Ages.

In Portugal, the Mateus family can be traced back to the medieval period, with records showing a Juan Matos in the 13th century. The family was prominent in the town of Montemor-o-Novo in the Alentejo region during the Middle Ages and was closely associated with the Order of Santiago, a medieval military order.

In Spain, the Mateos family has been traced back to the Kingdom of Castile in the 15th century. They were traditionally landowners and nobles, with significant influence in the region of Extremadura during the late Middle Ages and early modern period. Notable members of this family include Juan de Mateos, a conquistador who participated in the conquest of Peru, and Gaspar de Mateos, a prominent poet of the Golden Age of Spanish literature.

Overall, the Mateus/Mateos surname has a rich history in both Portugal and Spain, with roots dating back to the medieval period and notable figures contributing to their respective countries' histories.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Mateus"
• Global distribution of the surname on Forebears.io
• Wikipedia Article

About the author :

NomOrigine Team
Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.
Last updated : 13 June 2025

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