Proper noun
(rare) A male given name from Hebrew — famously held by:
(Christianity, in Luke’s genealogy of Christ) The son of Amos and father of Joseph, six-times-great–grandfather of Jesus.
(Christianity, in Luke’s genealogy of Christ) The son of Semei and father of Mahath, twelve-times-great–grandfather of Jesus.
(Judaism and Christianity) A Jewish priest featured in the second chapter of 1 Maccabees, instigator of the Maccabean Revolt and progenitor of the Hasmonean dynasty.
Source: en.wiktionary.orgBy 166 BC Mattathias had died, and Judah took his place as leader. Source: Internet
At first glance it would appear that Abba, the original owner of the family tomb may have been referring to Mattathias Antigonus, the last ruler of the Hasmoneans, killed by the Romans in 37 BC. Source: Internet
In 167 BCE, the Jews rose up en masse behind Mattathias and his five sons to fight and win their freedom from Seleucid authority. Source: Internet
When a Greek official ordered a Jewish priest to perform a Hellenic sacrifice, the priest ( Mattathias ) killed him. Source: Internet