The name Mattie is an English diminutive form of the name Matthew, which has its origins in the Hebrew name Mattityahu. Mattityahu is derived from the Hebrew words "mattat" meaning "gift" and "Yah" which is a shortened form of the Hebrew name for God. The name Matthew ultimately means "gift of God" or "gift from God."

Mattie first emerged as a nickname for Matthew in the Middle Ages, particularly in England and Scotland. It became a popular alternative to the more formal Matthew, especially among the working classes. The earliest known record of the name Mattie dates back to the 13th century.

In the 16th century, the name Mattie gained some prominence when it was used by the English poet and playwright Matthew "Mattie" Roydon, who was born around 1552. Another notable early bearer of the name was Mattie Pryor, an English servant who was involved in the Gunpowder Plot of 1605, a failed attempt to assassinate King James I of England.

During the 17th and 18th centuries, the name Mattie was particularly popular in Scotland, where it was used as a diminutive for both Matthew and Martha. One of the most famous Scottish Matties was Mattie Cameron, a renowned bagpiper who lived from 1770 to 1835.

In the 19th century, the name Mattie gained popularity in the United States, particularly in the Southern states. One of the most well-known Matties from this period was Mattie Alie Stephenson, a Southern belle from Mississippi who was born in 1856 and became famous for her beauty and charm.

Another notable bearer of the name was Mattie Edwards Hewitt, an American photographer and one of the first women to work as a photojournalist. She was born in 1869 and documented many important events in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

In the 20th century, one of the most famous Matties was Mattie Stepanek, an American poet, peacemaker, and motivational speaker who was born in 1990 with a rare form of muscular dystrophy. Despite his illness, he published several books of poetry and became a advocate for peace and unity before his death in 2004 at the age of 13.