The name Matthius is a variant spelling of the biblical name Matthew, which is derived from the Hebrew name Mattityahu. The name Mattityahu is composed of two elements: "mattan," meaning "gift," and "Yah," which is a shortened form of the Hebrew name for God.

The name Matthew has its roots in the New Testament of the Bible, where it was borne by one of the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ. Matthew was a tax collector before becoming a follower of Jesus, and he is traditionally believed to be the author of the Gospel of Matthew.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Matthius can be found in the Acts of the Apostles, where a man named Matthius was chosen to replace Judas Iscariot as one of the twelve apostles. This event is dated to around 30 AD.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Matthius. One of the earliest was Matthius of Arethusa, a 4th-century Christian martyr who was executed during the persecution of Christians under the Roman Emperor Diocletian.

In the 16th century, Matthius Flacius Illyricus (1520-1575) was a prominent Lutheran reformer and theologian who participated in the Protestant Reformation. He is known for his work on the Magdeburg Centuries, a comprehensive ecclesiastical history of the first thirteen centuries of Christianity.

Another notable figure was Matthius Slade (1536-1628), an English Protestant clergyman and author who served as the chaplain to Queen Elizabeth I.

In the 18th century, Matthius Casimir Sarbiewski (1595-1640) was a Polish Jesuit priest and renowned Latin poet. His works were widely read and admired throughout Europe during his lifetime.

More recently, Matthius Buchinger (1674-1739) was a German artist and calligrapher who was born without hands or feet. Despite his physical disabilities, he gained fame for his intricate and beautiful calligraphic works, which were highly prized by collectors and nobility.