A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Matta family of Netherlands.
Reg. 8182 · Dutch, M–O
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
womanGrace, and the founding of a house
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“Ec.: aux 1 et 4 de gu. au saut. d'arg., ch. de cinq étoiles du champ; aux 2 et 3 d'azur à une femme iss. de carn., cour. d'or, mouv. d'un panier d'arg.”
Netherlandsc. 1815
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 Netherlands showing where the Matta arms are recorded
The Matta arms were recorded in Netherlands, c. 1815.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Friesland.
Friesland was low, wet country on the northern coast of the Netherlands, farmed by families who had held the same land for centuries. Free landholders were unusually common there, and a free landholder could carry 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.
Region
Friesland
First recorded
1815
Granting Authority for the Matta Arms
Hoge Raad van Adel
Photograph made by me · CC BY-SA 3.0
The body that granted and recorded arms in Netherlands in this period.
William I of the Netherlands
Sovereign of the period
William I of the Netherlands
1815–1840
Reigning in Netherlands when the Matta arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Netherlands
In the Netherlands, coats of arms were often used by noble families and those who held specific public offices. These arms were passed down through the generations to legitimate descendants. Younger branches of a family usually kept the original design without needing to add special marks. This system ensured that the family identity remained clear and consistent over many years.
Granting authority
The Hoge Raad van Adel is the official body that regulates and manages noble titles and coats of arms in the Netherlands.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through official royal grants or by proving their long-standing historical use of the symbols.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms are officially recorded in the registers held by the Hoge Raad van Adel, which began its work in 1814.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Netherlands.
Origin & History of the Matta Family in Netherlands
The surname Matta carries a history deeply rooted in the coastal landscape of the Netherlands. By the early nineteenth century, records confirm that members of the family were established in the province of Friesland. This region is known for its unique culture and its long history of agricultural innovation and maritime trade. During the year 1815, the Netherlands underwent significant changes as it transitioned into a new kingdom, which required families to formalize their surnames in official civil registries. The name Matta likely emerged from these local naming traditions, reflecting the linguistic influences of the Frisian people who lived along the North Sea. As the family settled into this environment, they became part of a community defined by its resilience and its distinct regional identity. Their presence in Friesland during this era suggests a life tied to the land and the evolving social structures of a changing European nation.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Matthias
Derived from the Hebrew name Mattityahu meaning gift of God.
This name
MattaA patronymic surname indicating descent from a person named Matthew or Matthias.
also spelled
Matthae
Matthah
Matta
Matha
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Tresoar (Fries Historisch en Letterkundig Centrum), Burgerlijke Stand van Friesland, 1811–1950
Nederlandse Familienamenbank, Meertens Instituut, 2024
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
womanGrace, and the founding of a house
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
womanGrace, and the founding of a house
