A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Mattern family of France.
Reg. 7551 · French, M–O
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
shipEnterprise, and a great voyage undertaken
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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 voile en poupe d'arg., attachée à une antenne posée en fasce d'or, liée de gu., et acc. en p. d'un rocher d'or, mouv. d'une mer de pourpre.”
ProvenceComtat-Venaissin · Provence, c. 1663
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Map of France showing where the Mattern arms are recorded
The Mattern arms were recorded in Provence, c. 1663.
Provence was old country, with towns dating to the Romans and families who traced their land back nearly as far. Its gentry were many and long-settled, and long settlement is what fills a register.
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 Mattern 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 Provence.
Origin & History of the Mattern Family in France
The surname Mattern is a variant of the name Matthias, which has roots in the ancient Hebrew name Mattityahu, meaning gift of God. Over many centuries, this name evolved through various European languages and eventually settled into the form we recognize today. By the middle of the 17th century, members of the Mattern family were firmly established in the Provence region of France. During this period, families in Provence often lived in small, tight-knit agricultural communities where they worked the land or practiced specialized trades. The presence of the family in this area by 1663 suggests they were part of the local social fabric during a time of significant cultural and political change under the reign of King Louis XIV. As the name spread across borders, it became a common identifier for families who valued their connection to these early ancestral roots.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Matthaeus
A Hebrew name meaning gift of God.
This name
MatternA French patronymic surname derived from the given name Matthew.
also spelled
Matheron
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
Archives départementales des Bouches-du-Rhône, 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.
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
shipEnterprise, and a great voyage undertaken
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
shipEnterprise, and a great voyage undertaken
