Origin and EtymologyMatějková is a Czech surname that represents the feminine form of Matějka. The surname Matějka itself is derived from the given name Matěj, which is the Czech form of Matthias. Matthias, in turn, comes from the Greek Ματθίας, a variant of Ματθαῖος (see Matthew). In the New Testament, Matthias is the apostle chosen by lot to replace Judas Iscariot after Judas's betrayal (Acts 1:15–26). The name also has royal associations, notably with King Matthias I of Hungary, a 15th-century reformer whose Hungarian name was Mátyás.Distribution and VariantsAs a typically Czech surname, Matějková follows the common Slavic pattern of adding the suffix “-ová” to form the feminine version. The masculine counterpart Matějka is also found in Slovakia with a similar spelling (Matejka). Other related surnames in various cultures include Mateev (Bulgarian), Mateeva (Bulgarian feminine), Mateu (Catalan), Matić (Croatian), Matijević (Serbian), and Matković (Croatian). All these names ultimately trace their roots back to the ancient Greek name Matthias.Notable BearersPeople with the masculine surname Matějka or the feminine suffix form have made contributions in varied fields. Notable figures include Alice Matějková, a Czech athlete; Václav Matějka, a film director; and Ludmila Seefried-Matějková, a sculptor. The surname also appears in Slovakia in the spelling Matejka, borne by individuals such as the Slovak footballer Róbert Matejka. The American poet Adrian Matejka and the Swiss interlinguist Alphonse Matejka are further examples of the name's diaspora beyond Central Europe.Key FactsMeaning: Feminine form of Matějka, derived from Matěj (Czech form of Matthias).Origin: Czech.Type: Surname (feminine suffix).Usage Regions: Czech Republic, Slovakia.Related Names: Matějka (masculine), Matejka (Slovak), Mateev (Bulgarian), Matić (Croatian), Matijević (Serbian).