Map of England showing where the Matney arms are recorded
The Matney arms were recorded in Kent, c. 1620.
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 England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in England when the Matney arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
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 Kent.
Origin & History of the Matney Family in England
The history of the Matney family name is rooted in the landscape of seventeenth-century England. By 1620, records confirm that members of the family were established in the county of Kent. During this period, Kent was a vital region known for its agricultural production and its proximity to the trade routes of the English Channel. Families like the Matneys often lived in small rural parishes where they worked as farmers, craftsmen, or laborers. As the seventeenth century progressed, the social and economic changes in England encouraged many families to seek new opportunities, eventually leading some to migrate across the Atlantic to the American colonies. This transition marked the beginning of the family's expansion beyond their original English roots, helping to shape the name's history in the New World.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Matthaeus
Gift of God derived from the Hebrew name Mattityahu.
This name
MatneyA locational surname referring to one who lived near a meadow or pasture.
also spelled
Manie
Many
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Everitt, Alan, The Community of Kent and the Great Rebellion, 1966
Kent Archives, Quarter Sessions Records: Q/S/P (Petitions and Papers)
Newman, John, The Buildings of England: West Kent and the Weald, 1969
The National Archives, State Papers Domestic, James I: SP 14
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
cinquefoilHope and joy
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
cinquefoilHope and joy
