A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Matty family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 3009 · German, M–O
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chequyConstancy, and the counting-board
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Tiercé en fasce: au 1 d'or à l'aigle de sa., bq., m. et cour. du champ; au 2 d'arg. à deux lions affr. de gu.; au 3 échiq. d'or et d'azur. C.: trois pl. d'aut.: de gu., d'arg. et d'azur. L.: à dextre d'arg. et de gu., à sen. d'or et d'azur.”
GermanyNuremberg, c. 1765
Where the Matty Arms Were Recorded
Nuremberg
Map of Germany showing where the Matty arms are recorded
The Matty arms were recorded in Nuremberg, c. 1765.
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 Matty 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 Matty Family in Germany
The name Matty in Germany is deeply rooted in the historical landscape of the Holy Roman Empire, particularly within the bustling trade hub of Nuremberg. By the mid-eighteenth century, the family was already well-established in this city, which served as a center for craftsmanship and international commerce. The name likely evolved as a variation of the name Matthias, which was a popular choice among families during that era due to its biblical origins. In the social structure of 1765 Nuremberg, families like the Mattys were often integrated into the city’s guild system or merchant circles. This allowed them to participate in the economic prosperity of the region while maintaining a distinct identity within the urban population. Over time, the family name became a marker of their specific lineage as they navigated the shifting political and social changes that defined German history during the late Enlightenment period.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“De sa. à trois rochers accostés d'or, mouv. de la p., surm. d'un croiss. du même. C.: un croiss. d'or.”
SwitzerlandBerne, c. 1745
Where the Matty Arms Were Recorded
Berne
Map of Switzerland showing where the Matty arms are recorded
The Matty arms were recorded in Berne, c. 1745.
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 Switzerland in this period.
How Arms Worked in Switzerland
In Switzerland, coats of arms were not restricted to the nobility and were often adopted by common citizens and families. These symbols were passed down through generations to show family identity. When branches of a family grew, they often changed small details of the design to distinguish their own line from the original group.
Granting authority
Cantonal and civic authorities managed the use of coats of arms within their specific regions and local jurisdictions.
How they got arms
Families typically assumed their own coats of arms based on local custom rather than receiving them from a central monarch.
Where arms were recorded
Arms were recorded in various cantonal and civic registers starting from the fourteenth century throughout the Swiss region.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Switzerland.
Origin & History of the Matty Family in Switzerland
The Matty family name has deep roots in the Swiss canton of Berne, where records confirm their presence as early as 1745. During this period, families in the region were often tied closely to the land and the specific administrative districts where they held citizenship rights. The name likely evolved as a variation of local surnames or occupational titles common to the German-speaking populations of the Swiss Plateau. By the mid-18th century, members of the Matty family were integrated into the social and economic fabric of Berne, participating in the local traditions of trade and civic life that defined the era. Their documented history in this region reflects the broader patterns of Swiss settlement, where families maintained strong connections to their home parishes for generations. This stability allowed the name to persist in the historical record through church registers and local government census documents that tracked the movement and growth of the population.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Matthias
Derived from the Hebrew name Mattityahu meaning gift of God.
This name
MattyA diminutive form of Matthew or Matthias, traditionally signifying a divine gift or blessing.
also spelled
Matty
Mattie
Mattye
Mati
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Bauer, Karl-Heinz. Nürnberg: Geschichte einer europäischen Stadt. 1986
Heckmann, Hermann. Die Geschichte der Stadt Nürnberg. 1995
Stadtarchiv Nürnberg, Bürgerbücher der Stadt Nürnberg
Staatsarchiv Nürnberg, Reichsstädtische Akten und Protokolle
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chequyConstancy, and the counting-board
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
lionCourage, strength and royalty
chequyConstancy, and the counting-board
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
lionCourage, strength and royalty
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
