A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Matthias family of Germany.
Reg. 7192 · German, M–O
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
axeThe execution of military duty
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Tranché: au 1 d'or à un moine iss. par les genoux, hab. de sa., ceint d'arg., la tête nue, tenant de sa main dextre levée un livre et de sa sen. une hache d'arg., posée sur son épaule sen.; au 2 de sa. au lion d'arg., arm. et lamp. de gu. Cq. cour. C.: un lion iss. d'or,”
Germanyc. 1558
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Map of Germany showing where the Matthias arms are recorded
The Matthias arms were recorded in Germany, c. 1558.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bavaria.
Bavaria was a country of old landed families and walled market towns. Estates passed down the same line for centuries, and both the landowners and the leading townsmen kept arms, which is why so many Bavarian names sit in the registers.
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.
Ferdinand I, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Ferdinand I, Holy Roman Emperor
1556–1564
Reigning in Germany when the Matthias 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 Matthias Family in Germany
The surname Matthias originates from the ancient Hebrew name Mattityahu, which translates to a gift of God. As the name spread across Europe through religious texts and the influence of the Christian church, it eventually became a common given name in the German-speaking regions. By the middle of the sixteenth century, the name began to transition into a hereditary surname as families sought to distinguish themselves in growing communities. Records confirm that members of the Matthias family were firmly established in the region of Bavaria by 1558. During this period, the family likely lived as farmers or tradespeople within the rural villages of southern Germany. Because the name was derived from a popular saint, it was often adopted by families who wanted to honor their religious heritage while establishing a permanent identity in their local Bavarian parishes.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Mattityahu
Hebrew for gift of Yahweh
This name
MatthiasA German surname derived from the biblical name meaning gift of God.
also spelled
Mathias
Related arms
Blumfeldsimilar arms
Bretschneidersimilar arms
Campesimilar arms
Mathiasvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Bahlow, Hans, Deutsches Namenlexikon: Familien- und Vornamen nach Ursprung und Sinn erklärt, 1967
Heintze, Albert, Die deutschen Familien-Namen: geschichtlich, geographisch, sprachlich, 1903
axeThe execution of military duty
lionCourage, strength and royalty
axeThe execution of military duty
lionCourage, strength and royalty
