Surname Matar - Meaning and Origin
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Matar: What does the surname Matar mean?
Matar is a surname of multiple origins, used in varous cultures across the world. The name can be traced back to Arabic-speaking regions, particularly in the Middle East, where the word "Matar" translates to "rain" in Arabic. Thus, in these countries, the surname Matar may be metaphorically associated with life and fertility. In Spain and Portugal, on the other hand, Matar is a common surname derived from an occupational name for a killer, from the verb "matar" meaning "to kill". This does not necessarily mean that the ancestors of those bearing the name were killers; instead, it may have been applied to those who played the role of murderers or executioners in medieval mystery plays. In India, particularly Gujarat, Matar is a surname found in the Bania and Vaishya communities, which are traditionally associated with the merchant and tradesman classes. The exact meaning in this context is less clear. Therefore, depending on cultural contexts and geographical locations, the meaning of the last name Matar can widely differ, although most commonly it has Arabic or Hispanic origins.
Order DNA origin analysisMatar: Where does the name Matar come from?
The last name Matar is of Arabic origin, often being first used in the Middle East. It is derived from the Arabic word "matar" meaning "rain". Today it is a common surname in various Arab countries, particularly Lebanon, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar. It is also often found in regions with significant Arab populations such as in parts of Africa and South America. Additionally, due to migration, you'll find people with the Matar surname in European countries, North America, and Australia. While "Matar" is a prevalent surname, it could also be used as a male first name in some Arab cultures. Keep in mind that the distribution of the Matar surname may vary due to diaspora and the shifting nature of global populations.
Variations of the surname Matar
The surname "Matar" is primarily of Arabic origin and is prevalent in Middle Eastern countries, particularly Lebanon and Syria. While the name directly translates to "rain", in a surname context, it often indicates a person came from a rainy location.
Variants and alternate spellings may include Mattar, Matter, Mataro, and Mater. These different spellings often result from regional dialects and transliterations into other languages. The addition of prefixes such as "El" or "Al" is also common in Arabic naming conventions, leading to names such as Al-Matar or El-Matar.
It is also important to consider possible French or Spanish influence in North Africa or former colonies, introducing spellings like Matard or Matarranz. Furthermore, in some Jewish or Mediterranean populations, related names could be derived from the Hebrew word "matar," meaning "to gift."
While no surnames exactly match "Matar," names like Mathur, Mater, Matin, Matalon, etc., might share a geographic or linguistic origin. However, without detailed genealogical or etymological research, it's difficult to establish a definite correlation between Matar and these other surnames.
Famous people with the name Matar
- Diane Matar: British-Palestinian actor, director, screenwriter, and producer.
- Hazem Matar: British-Palestinian journalist, writer, and human rights activist.
- Elie Matar: Lebanese actor, fashion designer, and model.
- Nasim Matar: Jordanian economist, policymaker, and quantitative analyst.
- Ali Matar: Lebanese judge, professor, and former Minister of Justice.
- Ahmad Matar: Palestinian politician.
- Layal Matar: Lebanese entrepreneur best known as the founder and CEO of Code Academy.
- Mo Matar: Sudanese businessman, engineer, and former Prime Minister of Sudan.
- Hatem Matar: Libyan author and human rights campaigner.
- Mahmud Matar: Jordanian diplomat and Secretary General of the Arab Maghreb Union.