Find out how popular the last name Mateer is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Mateer.

Mateer, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Mateer surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Mateer in America

Mateer is the 19513th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Mateer surname appeared 1,384 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Mateer.

We can also compare 2010 data for Mateer to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Mateer

The surname Mateer has its origins in Scotland, with the earliest records dating back to the 16th century. It is believed to have derived from the Gaelic words "mac an t-saoír," which translates to "son of the carpenter" or "son of the woodworker."

One of the earliest documented instances of the name Mateer can be found in the Scottish Parish Records from the year 1574, where a John Mateer was listed as a resident of Ayrshire. The name was also prevalent in other parts of Scotland, including Lanarkshire and Renfrewshire.

During the 17th and 18th centuries, the Mateer surname appeared in various historical records and documents, such as the Register of the Privy Council of Scotland and the Old Parochial Registers. These records provide insights into the lives and activities of individuals bearing the Mateer name.

In the late 18th century, a notable figure named James Mateer (1752-1821) emerged as a prominent merchant and shipowner in Greenock, Scotland. His successful business ventures and contributions to the local community cemented the Mateer name in the region's history.

Another significant individual was John Mateer (1787-1858), a Scottish-born farmer and politician who emigrated to Nova Scotia, Canada, in the early 19th century. He served as a member of the Nova Scotia House of Assembly and played a role in shaping the province's political landscape.

The Mateer surname also has a connection to Ireland, where several individuals bearing this name settled during the Plantation of Ulster in the 17th century. One such figure was Robert Mateer (1630-1702), a Presbyterian minister who was instrumental in establishing congregations in County Down.

In the United States, the Mateer name gained prominence with individuals like John Mateer (1810-1890), a successful businessman and banker from Pennsylvania, and Samuel Mateer (1829-1911), a Presbyterian minister and educator who served as the president of Parsons College in Iowa.

Throughout history, the Mateer surname has been associated with various professions, including carpentry, farming, business, and religious leadership. While the name may have undergone minor spelling variations over time, such as Mather, Matier, or Matteer, its Scottish roots and connection to the Gaelic language remain a defining feature of its origin and evolution.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Mateer

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Mateer.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Mateer was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Mateer has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Mateer was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Mateer, please contact us.

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