A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Mata family of Netherlands.
Reg. 9689 · Dutch, M–O
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
womanGrace, and the founding of a house
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Ec.: aux 1 et 4 de gu. au saut. d'arg., ch. de cinq étoiles du champ; aux 2 et 3 d'azur à une femme iss. de carn., cour. d'or, mouv. d'un panier d'arg.”
Netherlandsc. 1815
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Map of Netherlands showing where the Mata arms are recorded
The Mata arms were recorded in Netherlands, c. 1815.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Friesland.
Friesland was low, wet country on the northern coast of the Netherlands, farmed by families who had held the same land for centuries. Free landholders were unusually common there, and a free landholder could carry arms.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
Region
Friesland
First recorded
1815
Granting Authority for the Mata Arms
Hoge Raad van Adel
Photograph made by me · CC BY-SA 3.0
The body that granted and recorded arms in Netherlands in this period.
William I of the Netherlands
Sovereign of the period
William I of the Netherlands
1815–1840
Reigning in Netherlands when the Mata arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Netherlands
In the Netherlands, coats of arms were often used by noble families and those who held specific public offices. These arms were passed down through the generations to legitimate descendants. Younger branches of a family usually kept the original design without needing to add special marks. This system ensured that the family identity remained clear and consistent over many years.
Granting authority
The Hoge Raad van Adel is the official body that regulates and manages noble titles and coats of arms in the Netherlands.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through official royal grants or by proving their long-standing historical use of the symbols.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms are officially recorded in the registers held by the Hoge Raad van Adel, which began its work in 1814.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Netherlands.
Origin & History of the Mata Family in Netherlands
The name Mata has deep roots in the northern regions of the Netherlands, specifically within the province of Friesland. By the early 19th century, families carrying this name were well-established members of the local Frisian community. In the Frisian language, the suffix "a" often indicates a patronymic origin, suggesting that the name likely evolved from a shortened form of a given name or a specific ancestral nickname. During the year 1815, when the Kingdom of the Netherlands was officially established, many families in this region were required to formalize their surnames for government census and tax records. The Mata family was part of this transition, moving from traditional naming customs to the fixed family names used in modern society. Their presence in Friesland during this era links them to a culture defined by strong maritime traditions, independent farming, and a distinct regional identity that has survived for centuries.
Mata Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Matthaeus
Derived from the Hebrew name Matityahu meaning gift of God.
This name
MataA Dutch topographic surname referring to someone living near a meadow or pasture.
also spelled
Matthae
Matthah
Matta
Matha
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Tresoar (Frisian Historical and Literary Center), Burgerlijke Stand van Friesland (Civil Registry of Friesland), 1811-1950
Hacker, J., Friese familienamen: Een onderzoek naar de oorsprong en verspreiding van achternamen in Friesland, 1998
Winkler, J., De Nederlandsche geslachtsnamen in oorsprong, geschiedenis en beteekenis, 1885
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
womanGrace, and the founding of a house
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
womanGrace, and the founding of a house
