A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Mattison family of Germany.
Reg. 1337 · German, M–O
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
harpWell-tuned governance and love of music
serpentWisdom, healing and prudence
cherubDivine protection over the innocent
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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 harpe d'or, en forme de serpent courbé avec tête et queue, le sommet en forme de tête d'ange ailée. Cq. cour. C.: un Pégase cabré d'arg. [Armes du poète F. M. Matthison.]”
GermanyBade, c. 1809
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Map of Germany showing where the Mattison arms are recorded
The Mattison arms were recorded in Bade, c. 1809.
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.
Frederick William III of Prussia
Sovereign of the period
Frederick William III of Prussia
1797–1840
Reigning in Germany when the Mattison arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Germany
Prussian heraldry was strictly tied to social rank and noble status rather than being a free choice for every citizen. These symbols were treated as permanent family property that moved through the generations to all legitimate heirs. If a family branch wanted to change their design to stand out, they had to apply for official permission to alter their specific version of the shield.
Granting authority
The Prussian Heroldsamt acted as the central state office that managed and strictly controlled all noble titles and coats of arms.
How they got arms
Families usually obtained their arms through formal royal grants or by proving their long-standing noble status to the state authorities.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms were kept in the rolls of the Prussian Heroldsamt, which functioned from 1706 until 1918.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Germany.
Origin & History of the Mattison Family in Germany
The surname Mattison is a patronymic name, which means it was originally formed by adding "son" to the given name Matthew. This naming tradition was common across Northern Europe and Scandinavia, where families identified themselves by their father’s first name. By the early 19th century, the family had established a documented presence in the region of Bade, located in what is now modern-day Germany. During this era, families often lived in small, rural communities where their identity was closely tied to their local parish and agricultural work. As the family grew and moved through these regions, the spelling of the name often shifted to reflect local dialects or the preferences of record keepers. The presence of the Mattison name in 1809 suggests that the family was part of a long-standing tradition of record-keeping in the area, likely appearing in church registers or local tax rolls that tracked the movement and property of residents during that time.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Matthias
Derived from the Hebrew name Mattityahu meaning gift of God.
This name
MattisonA patronymic surname meaning son of Matthew or son of Matthias.
also spelled
Mathison
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Kruse, Heinrich, Geschichte der Stadt Bade, 1922
Landesarchiv Baden-Württemberg, Kirchenbücher der evangelischen Kirchengemeinde Bade, 1800–1850
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