A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Mathewson family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 8874 · Britain, M–O
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
lionCourage, strength and royalty
bearStrength, cunning and protection of kin
handFaith, sincerity and justice
swordJustice, and military honour
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Gironné de sa. et de gu.; au lion d'or, arm. et lamp. d'azur, br. sur le tout; à la bord. d'or, ch. de trois têtes d'ours d'azur, emmuselées d'arg., 2 en chef et 1 en p., et de deux mains de gu. en flancs, tenant chacun un poignard d'arg. en pal. C.: un avant-bras arm., tenant un cimeterre, le tout au nat. D.: HEART AND HAND.”
Britainc. 1700
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Map of Britain showing where the Mathewson arms are recorded
The Mathewson arms were recorded in Britain, c. 1700.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Kent.
Kent sits between London and the short crossing to Europe, and the trade passing through made it wealthy. Merchant families bought land with that money, and it was landowners who took coats of 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.
The body that granted and recorded arms in Britain in this period.
William III of England
Sovereign of the period
William III of England
1694–1702
Reigning in Britain when the Mathewson arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Britain
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Britain.
Origin & History of the Mathewson Family in Britain
The surname Mathewson is a patronymic name, which means it was originally created to identify a person as the son of Matthew. While the name Matthew has roots in biblical tradition, the specific variation Mathewson became established in Britain as a way to distinguish family lines in local communities. By the year 1700, records show that members of the Mathewson family were well-settled in the county of Kent. During this period, families in Kent were often involved in the thriving agricultural and maritime industries that defined the region. Because Kent served as a primary gateway for trade and travel between England and the continent, the Mathewson family likely lived in a dynamic environment where surnames were becoming increasingly important for legal and tax purposes. As the family grew, they integrated into the local parish systems, which were the primary way that births, marriages, and deaths were tracked in the eighteenth century.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bordureA difference between branches of one family
cross symbolChristian faith and service
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Gyronny of eight sa. and gu. a lion ramp. or, armed ar. all within a bordure of the third, charged with eight crosses pattée gu”
Scotlandc. 1639
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Map of Scotland showing where the Mathewson arms are recorded
The Mathewson arms were recorded in Scotland, c. 1639.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Edinburgh.
Edinburgh was the seat of Scotland's government, its courts and its heralds. Families with business there settled nearby, and being close to where arms were recorded is exactly why so many of them appear.
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 Scotland in this period.
Charles I of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles I of England
1625–1649
Reigning in Britain when the Mathewson arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Scotland
Scottish heraldry is unique because it treats a coat of arms as a piece of personal property protected by law. Only one person can own a specific design at any given time. When a family grows, the head keeps the original shield while other relatives must apply for their own distinct version with slight changes to prove their specific identity.
Granting authority
The Court of the Lord Lyon acts as the official body that regulates and controls all heraldic matters throughout Scotland.
How they got arms
Individuals obtain a legal right to their arms through a formal petition process that confirms their identity and family connection.
Where arms were recorded
All valid coats of arms are officially entered into the Public Register of All Arms and Bearings starting from 1672.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Scotland.
Origin & History of the Mathewson Family in Scotland
The surname Mathewson is a patronymic name, which means it originated as a way to identify a person as the son of Matthew. While the name has roots across the British Isles, the family established a notable presence in Edinburgh by 1639. During this period, Edinburgh was a bustling center of trade and religious reform, and families like the Mathewsons were often integrated into the city’s growing merchant and professional classes. Life in seventeenth-century Scotland was defined by significant political upheaval, including the signing of the National Covenant, which deeply affected the lives of city residents. As the family became more settled in the capital, they likely participated in the local guilds or civic duties that helped shape the urban landscape of the time. By tracing their history to this specific era, we see the Mathewsons as part of the hardworking population that helped define the social fabric of Scotland’s capital during a time of great national change.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Matthias
Derived from the Hebrew name Mattityahu meaning gift of God.
This name
MathewsonPatronymic surname indicating descent from a person named Matthew or Matthias.
also spelled
Mathison
Mathieson
Matthieson
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
The National Archives, Parish registers of Kent, series ref: RG 4
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lionCourage, strength and royalty
bearStrength, cunning and protection of kin
handFaith, sincerity and justice
swordJustice, and military honour
lionCourage, strength and royalty
bearStrength, cunning and protection of kin
handFaith, sincerity and justice
swordJustice, and military honour
bordureA difference between branches of one family
cross symbolChristian faith and service
