The clan was called in Gaelic Mac-mthathan or Mac-mhaghan. Their first appearance in history is in 1262-63 when Kermac Macmaghan assisted the Earl of Ross against the Norse. The pedigree MS. of 1467 gives the Chiefs from 1263 to 1400, thus: “Mathan, father of Kenneth, father of Murdoch, father of Duncan, father of Murdoch, father of Murdoch." The latter was probably Makmaken of Bower, the Chief in 1427. John du Matheson, Constable of Ellandonan Castle, was father of Dugall Roy, and grandfather of Murdoch Buidhe, a notable personage in 1570-90.
All the Matheson genealogies of the present day converge on Murdoch Buidhe. This Murdoch Buidhe had two sons: Roderick of Fernaig, and Dugall of Balmacara, Chamberlain of Lochalsh. The descendants of the former were proprietors of the estate of Bennetsfield, in the Black Isle. Col. Bertram Matheson, representer of Bennetsfield, was by Lyon Court 1963 adjudged Chief of the clan and nominated the Baronet of Lochalsh and Attadale Tanastair.
Other important branches of the clan are the Mathesons of Shinness, in Sutherland, and of Achany. The line of Matheson of Attadale, dating from about 1730 (and descending from Dougall of Balmacara), acquired a Baronetcy in 1882. Chief Major Sir Torquhil Alexander Matheson of Matheson, Baronet. The present Chief Sir Fergus John Matheson, 7th Baronet.

Chief: Matheson of Matheson.
Slogan: Acha-'n-da-thearnaid.
Plant: Four-petal Rose.