A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Matheis family of Belgium.
Reg. 7133 · Belgian, M–O
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'or au chev. de sa.; au chef d'azur. C.: le chev. entre un vol, d'or et d'azur.”
Belgiumc. 1721
Where the Matheis Arms Were Recorded
Brabant
Map of Belgium showing where the Matheis arms are recorded
The Matheis arms were recorded in Belgium, c. 1721.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Brabant.
Brabant lay at the heart of the Low Countries, where the trade routes met. Its towns were wealthy and its landowners many, and both kinds of family kept arms, which is why the region is so heavily represented.
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 Belgium in this period.
Charles VI, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Charles VI, Holy Roman Emperor
1711–1740
Reigning in Belgium when the Matheis arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Belgium
In Belgium, a coat of arms is considered personal property that is passed down through the male line to legitimate descendants. Families often use the same shield design across generations to show their shared heritage. If a branch of the family wants to change the design, they must apply for an official update to their specific version of the arms.
Granting authority
The Conseil héraldique is the official body that regulates and approves all coats of arms in Belgium.
How they got arms
Families obtain their coats of arms through formal royal grants or by confirming their historical right to use existing designs.
Where arms were recorded
All approved coats of arms are officially recorded in the public registers of the Conseil héraldique since 1844.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Belgium.
Origin & History of the Matheis Family in Belgium
The family name Matheis is a patronymic surname, meaning it originated from the given name Matthias. This name has deep roots in the Germanic and Low Countries regions, where it was frequently used to honor the biblical apostle. By the early 18th century, the family was well-established in the Duchy of Brabant, a historically significant region that spanned parts of modern-day Belgium and the Netherlands. During this era, families in Brabant were often tied to the land through agriculture or specialized trade guilds in growing urban centers. The presence of the Matheis family in this region by 1721 suggests they were part of a stable, settled population that navigated the complex political shifts of the Holy Roman Empire and the subsequent Austrian rule. As the name moved through generations, it evolved in spelling to reflect local dialects, eventually becoming a distinct marker of the family's long-standing heritage in the Low Countries.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Matityahu
Hebrew for gift of God
This name
MatheisA Germanic and Dutch variant of Matthew, signifying a divine gift or blessing.
also spelled
Matheis
Matays
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Debrabandere, Frans. Woordenboek van de familienamen in België en Noord-Frankrijk. 1993
State Archives in Belgium (Rijksarchief in België), Parochieregisters van Brabant
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
