Map of Germany showing where the Matto arms are recorded
The Matto arms were recorded in Bavaria, c. 1765.
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.
Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
1745–1765
Reigning in Germany when the Matto 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 Bavaria.
Origin & History of the Matto Family in Germany
The family name Matto finds its roots in the historical landscape of Bavaria, where records confirm the presence of family members as early as 1765. During this period, Bavaria was a region defined by agricultural traditions and a complex social structure governed by the Electorate. Families with this name likely lived in small, rural communities where their identity was closely tied to the local parish and the seasonal rhythms of farming. Because surnames were often derived from nicknames, regional dialects, or specific occupations, the name Matto may have evolved from local linguistic variations common to the southern German territories. As the family navigated the social changes of the eighteenth century, they contributed to the steady growth of the Bavarian population, living through an era marked by the transition from feudal customs to more modern administrative record-keeping.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
chequyConstancy, and the counting-board
bearStrength, cunning and protection of kin
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'or à un ours de sa., soutenu d'un tertre de trois coupeaux au nat. Cq. cour. C.: l'ours, iss. — (An. 31 oct. 1559.) Ec.: aux 1 et 4 les armes de 1554; aux 2 et 3 échiq. d'arg. et de gu. de seize pièces. Cq. cour. C.: l'ours, iss. L.: à dextre d'or et de sa., à sen. d'arg. et de gu”
Austriac. 1554
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 Austria showing where the Matto arms are recorded
The Matto arms were recorded in Austria, c. 1554.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Tyrol.
Tyrol was mountain country in western Austria, where the valleys were held by families who had been there a very long time. Old tenure counted for more than money, and old families carried 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
Tyrol
First recorded
1554
Granting Authority for the Matto Arms
Imperial and Royal chancery
Sodacan · CC BY-SA 3.0
The body that granted and recorded arms in Austria in this period.
Charles V
Sovereign of the period
Charles V
1519–1556
Reigning in Germany when the Matto arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Austria
Austrian coats of arms were often linked directly to noble titles granted by the Emperor. These symbols belonged to the entire family line rather than just one individual. When a family grew, new branches kept the original design without needing to change it. This system allowed all members of a noble house to share the same identity across many generations.
Granting authority
The Imperial and Royal chancery managed all heraldic matters and controlled the official granting of arms throughout the Austrian lands.
How they got arms
Families typically received their arms through a formal imperial decree that often accompanied the elevation of a person to noble status.
Where arms were recorded
Official records of these grants were kept in the Imperial Register of Nobility which began its formal documentation process in 1453.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Austria.
Origin & History of the Matto Family in Austria
The history of the Matto family in Austria is deeply rooted in the rugged landscape of the Tyrol region. By the year 1554, records confirm that members of the family were already established residents in this mountainous area. During the sixteenth century, Tyrol served as a vital crossroads for trade and cultural exchange between Northern Europe and the Italian peninsula. Families living in this region often adapted their names to reflect the linguistic blending of German and Romance influences common to the Alpine valleys. The Matto name likely emerged during this period of transition, potentially evolving from local nicknames or occupational descriptions used by the mountain communities. As the family grew, they became part of the social fabric of the Tyrol, contributing to the local economy and the unique traditions of the Austrian Alps. Their presence in 1554 marks them as long-standing inhabitants who helped shape the early development of their home province.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Matthaeus
Gift of God
This name
MattoA German patronymic surname derived from the biblical name Matthew.
also spelled
Matte
Matth
Mat
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
chequyConstancy, and the counting-board
bearStrength, cunning and protection of kin
