A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Mati family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 8504 · German, M–O
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chequyConstancy, and the counting-board
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Tiercé en fasce: au 1 d'or à l'aigle de sa., bq., m. et cour. du champ; au 2 d'arg. à deux lions affr. de gu.; au 3 échiq. d'or et d'azur. C.: trois pl. d'aut.: de gu., d'arg. et d'azur. L.: à dextre d'arg. et de gu., à sen. d'or et d'azur.”
GermanyNuremberg, c. 1765
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Map of Germany showing where the Mati arms are recorded
The Mati arms were recorded in Nuremberg, c. 1765.
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 Germany in this period.
Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
1745–1765
Reigning in Germany when the Mati arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Germany
In the Holy Roman Empire, coats of arms were often granted to individuals by the Emperor or his representatives. These arms were then passed down through the generations to all legitimate descendants of the original holder. Younger branches of a family usually kept the same shield design without needing to change it, as the arms belonged to the entire lineage.
Granting authority
The Holy Roman Emperor held the sole power to grant new coats of arms throughout his vast imperial territories.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal imperial grant or by proving their noble status to the authorities.
Where arms were recorded
These grants were officially recorded in the Imperial Chancery registers, which began keeping formal records of such honors during the Middle Ages.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Germany.
Origin & History of the Mati Family in Germany
The history of the Mati family in Germany is deeply rooted in the vibrant urban culture of Nuremberg during the eighteenth century. By 1765, records confirm that members of the family were established residents of this city, which was then a major center for trade, craftsmanship, and intellectual life in the Holy Roman Empire. During this era, Nuremberg served as a hub for skilled artisans and merchants, and families like the Matis often integrated into the local guild structures that governed daily economic life. Because the city was a crossroads for travelers and business people, the name likely moved through the region as family members participated in the bustling markets and civic administration of the time. While the name itself may have evolved from regional linguistic variations common in southern Germany, its presence in Nuremberg highlights a family history defined by steady participation in the growth of one of Europe’s most significant historical cities.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“De sa. à trois rochers accostés d'or, mouv. de la p., surm. d'un croiss. du même. C.: un croiss. d'or.”
SwitzerlandBerne, c. 1745
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
Map of Switzerland showing where the Mati arms are recorded
The Mati arms were recorded in Berne, c. 1745.
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 Switzerland in this period.
How Arms Worked in Switzerland
In Switzerland, coats of arms were not restricted to the nobility and were often adopted by common citizens and families. These symbols were passed down through generations to show family identity. When branches of a family grew, they often changed small details of the design to distinguish their own line from the original group.
Granting authority
Cantonal and civic authorities managed the use of coats of arms within their specific regions and local jurisdictions.
How they got arms
Families typically assumed their own coats of arms based on local custom rather than receiving them from a central monarch.
Where arms were recorded
Arms were recorded in various cantonal and civic registers starting from the fourteenth century throughout the Swiss region.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Switzerland.
Origin & History of the Mati Family in Switzerland
The history of the Mati family in Switzerland is deeply rooted in the administrative and social landscape of the eighteenth century. By 1745, records confirm that members of the family were established residents of Berne, a city that served as a powerful hub for trade and politics during the Old Swiss Confederacy. At this time, families in the region were often defined by their local citizenship, known as *Heimatort*, which granted them specific rights and responsibilities within the canton. The presence of the Mati name in Berne suggests that these early ancestors were likely integrated into the urban economy, possibly working as skilled craftsmen or merchants who contributed to the city's growth. Because Berne maintained meticulous records of its inhabitants to manage taxes and military service, the family name became a permanent part of the city’s historical fabric. Over the following decades, the family continued to navigate the shifting social structures of Switzerland, moving from local residents to established members of the regional community.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Matthias
Derived from the Hebrew name Mattityahu meaning gift of God.
This name
MatiA German patronymic or diminutive form originating from the biblical name Matthew.
also spelled
Matty
Mattie
Mattye
Mati
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Stadtarchiv Nürnberg, Bürgerbücher der Reichsstadt Nürnberg (1765)
Endres, Rudolf, Nürnberg: Eine deutsche Stadt in ihrer Geschichte (1999)
Schultheiß, Werner, Die Achtbürger von Nürnberg (1958)
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chequyConstancy, and the counting-board
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
lionCourage, strength and royalty
chequyConstancy, and the counting-board
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
lionCourage, strength and royalty
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
