Map of Netherlands showing where the Metoyer arms are recorded
The Metoyer arms were recorded in Netherlands, c. 1815.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Friesland.
Friesland was low, wet country on the northern coast of the Netherlands, farmed by families who had held the same land for centuries. Free landholders were unusually common there, and a free landholder could carry 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
Friesland
First recorded
1815
Granting Authority for the Metoyer Arms
Hoge Raad van Adel
Photograph made by me · CC BY-SA 3.0
The body that granted and recorded arms in Netherlands in this period.
William I of the Netherlands
Sovereign of the period
William I of the Netherlands
1815–1840
Reigning in Netherlands when the Metoyer arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Netherlands
In the Netherlands, coats of arms were often used by noble families and those who held specific public offices. These arms were passed down through the generations to legitimate descendants. Younger branches of a family usually kept the original design without needing to add special marks. This system ensured that the family identity remained clear and consistent over many years.
Granting authority
The Hoge Raad van Adel is the official body that regulates and manages noble titles and coats of arms in the Netherlands.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through official royal grants or by proving their long-standing historical use of the symbols.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms are officially recorded in the registers held by the Hoge Raad van Adel, which began its work in 1814.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Netherlands.
Origin & History of the Metoyer Family in Netherlands
The Metoyer family name carries a distinct history that traces back to the northern regions of the Netherlands, specifically within the province of Friesland by the year 1815. During this period, the Netherlands underwent significant administrative changes following the Napoleonic era, which led to the formal registration of surnames for civil records. The name itself suggests a connection to the French-speaking regions of Europe, likely arriving in the Dutch provinces through migration patterns influenced by trade, military service, or religious movement. As the family settled into the Frisian landscape, they integrated into the local community while maintaining the unique linguistic roots of their name. By examining the civil registries of the early nineteenth century, we can see how the family established their presence in the region during a time of great social transition for the Dutch people.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Sa. four martlets ar. two and two”
Englandc. 1620
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 England showing where the Metoyer arms are recorded
The Metoyer arms were recorded in England, c. 1620.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in York.
Yorkshire is the largest of the English counties, and it held more gentry families than any other. Land there was split among a great many households rather than a few, so a great many of them 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.
The body that granted and recorded arms in England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in Netherlands when the Metoyer arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of England.
Origin & History of the Metoyer Family in England
The history of the Metoyer family in England begins with records of individuals living in the city of York as early as 1620. During this period, York was a bustling northern hub where families often settled due to the growth of local trade and the influence of the regional church. While the name Metoyer suggests a potential connection to continental European origins, the presence of the family in York indicates that they integrated into the local English community during the early seventeenth century. These early family members lived through a time of significant social change in England, including the expansion of urban life and the shifting political landscape that preceded the English Civil War. By establishing themselves in a major city like York, the family became part of the long history of migration and settlement that shaped the demographic character of northern England.
Metoyer Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Metayer
Old French term for a sharecropper or tenant farmer.
This name
MetoyerA surname originating from French settlers denoting a person who worked land for a portion of the harvest.
also spelled
Meutter
Meutere
Meutert
Moyter
Muter
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Tresoar (Fries Historisch en Letterkundig Centrum), Burgerlijke Stand van de provincie Friesland
Netherlands National Archives (Nationaal Archief), Registers van de Burgerlijke Stand
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
lozengeHonour and nobility, and the arms of a woman
lozengeHonour and nobility, and the arms of a woman
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
