A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Matar family of Spain.
lionCourage, strength and royaltyJ. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)“De gu. au lion d'or.”
The Matar arms were recorded in Catalonia, c. 1722.
Catalonia lived by sea trade, and its merchant houses were as powerful as its landowners. Both sorts of family took arms, and Barcelona kept records of the houses entitled to bear them.
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.
The body that granted and recorded arms in Spain in this period.
Reigning in Spain when the Matar arms are first recorded.
In Spain, a coat of arms was considered a form of property that belonged to the entire family line. These arms were passed down from a father to all his children equally. Younger branches of the family usually kept the original design without needing to add any special marks to distinguish their specific line.
The history of the Matar family name is deeply rooted in the Mediterranean region, with significant records confirming their presence in Catalonia by the year 1722. The name itself is often linked to the Catalan word "matar," which translates to "to kill" or "to strike," suggesting that early ancestors may have been associated with military service, hunting, or specific trades that required physical strength. During the early 18th century, families in this region were frequently identified by their professional roles or their connection to specific geographic landmarks. As the family established itself in Catalonia, they became part of the local social fabric, likely participating in the agricultural and mercantile life that defined the area during the Bourbon Restoration. Over time, the name evolved from a descriptive term into a stable hereditary surname, marking the family as a distinct lineage within the historical landscape of northeastern Spain.
Latin verb meaning to slaughter, sacrifice, or honor with a sacrifice.
