Map of France showing where the Mateo arms are recorded
The Mateo arms were recorded in Tour, c. 1663.
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 France in this period.
Louis XIV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XIV of France
1643–1715
Reigning in France when the Mateo arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in France
In France, a coat of arms was a mark of honor that passed down through the male line to all legitimate descendants. Families often used the same shield without changes to show their shared heritage. If a branch wanted to stand out, they could add a small mark to their shield to show their specific place in the family tree.
Granting authority
The Juge d'armes de France acted as the official authority that regulated and verified coats of arms across the country.
How they got arms
Families typically inherited their arms from ancestors, though they could also receive them through royal grants or by proving their noble status.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms were officially recorded in the Armorial Général de France, which began its main collection in the year 1696.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of France.
Origin & History of the Mateo Family in France
The name Mateo is a Spanish variation of the Hebrew name Matthew, which translates to gift of God. While the name has deep roots in the Mediterranean, the specific branch of the family documented in the town of Tour in 1663 suggests a history of migration and settlement. During the seventeenth century, families often moved across regions to find better farmland or to participate in the growing trade networks of the era. By establishing themselves in Tour by 1663, these early family members became part of a local community that relied on agriculture and regional commerce. This period was a time of significant social change, and families like the Mateos often played essential roles in the development of their local parishes and town councils. Their presence in the historical record of that year provides a clear starting point for tracing the family's growth and influence in the region.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Matityahu
Hebrew for gift of God
This name
MateoA French variant of Matthew, signifying a divine gift or blessing.
also spelled
Mathee
Matay
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives: Archives Départementales d'Indre-et-Loire, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil
Archives: Archives Nationales, Série H, Fonds des établissements religieux
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