Map of France showing where the Mathis arms are recorded
The Mathis arms were recorded in Normandie, c. 1663.
Normandie held a dense crowd of knightly families on some of the best farmland in France. Its men had fought and settled abroad for generations, and a family that sent sons to war needed a shield they could be recognised by.
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 Mathis 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 Normandie.
Origin & History of the Mathis Family in France
The family name Mathis originates from the ancient personal name Matthew, which means gift of God. Over many centuries, this name evolved through various linguistic shifts across Europe before becoming a stable surname. By the year 1663, records confirm that members of the Mathis family were firmly established in the region of Normandie, France. During this period, families in Normandie often lived in small agricultural communities where they worked the land or practiced local trades. As the name spread through the French countryside, it became a marker of identity for families who were part of the social and economic life of the province. These early ancestors were likely among the many people who helped shape the cultural landscape of northern France before some eventually sought new opportunities across the Atlantic.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Matthias
Derived from the Hebrew name Matityahu meaning gift of God.
This name
MathisA French patronymic surname originating from the biblical name meaning gift of God.
also spelled
Mathes
Related arms
Mathesvariant spelling
Mathysvariant spelling
Matthisvariant spelling
Baumgartnerrecorded with Mathis, same area
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Dauzat, Albert. Dictionnaire étymologique des noms et prénoms de France, 1951
Morlet, Marie-Thérèse. Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille, 1991
Archives départementales de la Seine-Maritime, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil, 1663
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
riverThe bounds of a land, and life carried through it
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
riverThe bounds of a land, and life carried through it
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
