A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Mathieu family of France.
Reg. 1149 · French, M–O
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'azur à une croix latine d'or, soutenue d'une boule du même.”
LorraineLorraine, c. 1557
Where the Mathieu Arms Were Recorded
Lorraine
Map of France showing where the Mathieu arms are recorded
The Mathieu arms were recorded in Lorraine, c. 1557.
Lorraine sat on the border between France and the German lands, and border country bred soldiers. Families here held small estates and served in arms, and a fighting man was exactly the sort who carried a shield of his own.
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.
Henry II of France
Sovereign of the period
Henry II of France
1547–1559
Reigning in France when the Mathieu 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 Lorraine.
Origin & History of the Mathieu Family in France
The family name Mathieu originates from the ancient Hebrew name Matityahu, which translates to gift of God. Over many centuries, this name evolved through Greek and Latin forms before becoming a popular given name across Europe. By the middle of the sixteenth century, the name had become firmly established as a surname in the region of Lorraine. Records confirm that members of the Mathieu family were living in this area by 1557. During this period, Lorraine was a crossroads of culture and trade between the French and German lands. Families like the Mathieus often lived in rural villages or small towns where they worked as farmers, craftsmen, or local officials. As the name passed from one generation to the next, it became a permanent identifier for these families as they navigated the complex social and political changes of early modern Europe.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Matityahu
Gift of the Lord
This name
MathieuA French derivative of the Hebrew name meaning a gift from God.
also spelled
Mathieux
Matyu
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Dauzat, Albert. Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille et prénoms de France. 1951
Morlet, Marie-Thérèse. Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille. 1991
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
cross symbolChristian faith and service
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
cross symbolChristian faith and service
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
