The Mathesons originate from the area around Lochalsh, their name being derived from the Gaelic for 'Son of the Bear'. They fought with King Alexander III (1241 - 1286) to remove the Norwegian kings from the isles. They then followed the Lords of the Isles, yet as the power of the Lords decreased so did that of the Mathesons and they became embroiled in the feud between the McDonalds and the MacKenzies, fighting for the latter.
Sept names of this clan include: MacMath, MacPhun and Mathie.
Notable family members include Sir James Matheson (1796 - 1878), who made his fortune in the opium trade of the Far East and set up the Jardine Matheson trading company.