NameCensus.

UK surname

Amato

An Italian surname derived from the past participle of the verb "amare," meaning "beloved" or "loved."

In the 1881 census there were 23 people recorded with the Amato surname, ranking it #30,339 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 556, ranked #9,217, up from #30,339 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Cranhill, Lightburn and Queenslie South, Kensington and Chelsea and Havering.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Amato is 556 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 2317.4%.

1881 census count

23

Ranked #30,339

Modern count

556

2016, ranked #9,217

Peak year

2016

556 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Amato had 23 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #30,339 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 556 in 2016, ranked #9,217.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 80 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Amato surname distribution map

The map shows where the Amato surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.

Distribution map

Amato surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Amato over time

The table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.

Year Period Count Rank
1851 historical 5 #32,456
1861 historical 9 #32,724
1881 historical 23 #30,339
1891 historical 7 #33,665
1901 historical 78 #25,500
1911 historical 80 #24,821
1997 modern 420 #10,608
1998 modern 437 #10,637
1999 modern 438 #10,695
2000 modern 448 #10,477
2001 modern 448 #10,274
2002 modern 464 #10,181
2003 modern 460 #10,091
2004 modern 466 #10,030
2005 modern 455 #10,126
2006 modern 474 #9,855
2007 modern 463 #10,130
2008 modern 501 #9,618
2009 modern 523 #9,530
2010 modern 540 #9,491
2011 modern 530 #9,541
2012 modern 538 #9,343
2013 modern 552 #9,308
2014 modern 555 #9,316
2015 modern 549 #9,324
2016 modern 556 #9,217

Geography

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Where Amatos are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around No data. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Cranhill, Lightburn and Queenslie South, Kensington and Chelsea, Havering, Southwark and Parkhead East and Braidfauld North. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Some modern areas include a three-digit suffix, such as Leeds 110. The suffix is a small-area code, so it stays in the table while the prose uses the plain place name.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 No data No data

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Cranhill, Lightburn and Queenslie South Glasgow City
2 Kensington and Chelsea 016 Kensington and Chelsea
3 Havering 020 Havering
4 Southwark 018 Southwark
5 Parkhead East and Braidfauld North Glasgow City

Forenames

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First names often paired with Amato

These lists show first names that appear often with the Amato surname in historical and recent records.

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Amato

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Amato, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.

These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.

The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.

UK neighbourhood type

UK Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Multicultural and Educated Urbanites

Group

Diverse Educated Urban Singles

Nationally, the Amato surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Amato household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group includes many never-married individuals not living with dependent children. Many were born in EU countries and are now aged between 25-44. This Group is characterised by its ethnic group diversity, although those identifying as Asian are not well represented. Affiliation with the Christian religion amongst residents is low. Reported disability rates are low. Neighbourhoods include some central locations in London and other major cities. Private renting is the norm, and there is some overcrowding. Many individuals are educated to degree level, and full-time employment is common, particularly in managerial and professional occupations.

Wider pattern

Established populations comprising ethnic minorities together with persons born outside the UK predominate in this Supergroup. Residents present diverse personal characteristics and circumstances: while generally well-educated and practising skilled occupations, some residents live in overcrowded rental sector housing. English may not be the main language used by people in this Group. Although the typical adult resident is middle aged, single person households are common and marriage rates are low by national standards. This Supergroup predominates in Inner London, with smaller enclaves in many other densely populated metropolitan areas.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

Professional Periphery

Within London, Amato is most associated with areas classed as Professional Periphery, part of Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.

Read profile summary

Group profile

These neighbourhoods predominantly house residents aged 45+, with many aged 85+. Most employed residents work in senior roles, and relatively few work in unskilled jobs. Terraced housing is comparatively rare, but communal living is more common. More residents identify as of Indian ethnicity and more affiliate with non-Christian religions. Disability levels are below the Supergroup average.

Wider London pattern

The age distribution of these neighbourhoods is skewed towards the middle-aged and old, although few residents live alone or in communal establishments and numbers of dependent children are around average. Owner occupation is the norm, as is residence in detached or semi-detached houses. Residential densities are low and many households have spare rooms. Most residents were born in the UK and, aside from some identifying as members of Chinese or Indian ethnicities, identify as White. Mixed ethnicity households are rare. Incidence of married couples is higher than average and few individuals have never been married. A large proportion of individuals still in employment work in administrative and secretarial occupations, or in the construction industry. Few residents are students, and many households own more than one car.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Amato is most concentrated in decile 10 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier end of the index.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Amato falls in decile 3 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

3
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Amato is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 50-60 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

8
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - Other

This describes the area pattern most associated with Amato, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Amato

The surname Amato originated in Italy and is derived from the Italian word "amato," which means "beloved" or "loved one." It is believed to have emerged as a nickname or descriptive name given to someone who was well-loved or cherished within their community.

The earliest recorded instances of the Amato surname can be traced back to the 12th century in various regions of Italy, including Sicily, Campania, and Calabria. These regions were known for their rich cultural heritage and were heavily influenced by Greek, Roman, and Arabic civilizations, which may have contributed to the development of the name.

One of the earliest known references to the Amato surname can be found in the "Codex Diplomaticus Cavensis," a collection of medieval documents from the Benedictine abbey of Cava dei Tirreni in Campania, dating back to the 11th century. This collection contains records of individuals with the surname Amato, suggesting that the name was in use during that time period.

In the 13th century, historical records mention a prominent figure named Ruggero Amato, who was a notary and judge in the city of Salerno, located in the Campania region of Italy. His name is recorded in various legal documents and official records from that era.

During the Renaissance period, the Amato surname gained further recognition with the birth of Giovanni Battista Amato (1525-1592), a renowned Italian philosopher and physician. He was born in Naples and made significant contributions to the fields of medicine and natural philosophy.

Another notable figure with the Amato surname was Vincenzo Amato (1629-1670), a Baroque painter from Campania who was known for his religious works and frescoes adorning numerous churches throughout Italy.

In the 19th century, the Amato surname gained international recognition with the birth of Pasquale Amato (1878-1942), an Italian operatic tenor who achieved fame for his performances in operas by composers such as Puccini and Verdi. He was particularly renowned for his portrayal of the role of Radamès in Aida.

Throughout history, the Amato surname has been associated with various place names and locations within Italy, such as Amato di Nola, a town in the province of Avellino, Campania, and Amato di Messina, a small town in the province of Messina, Sicily.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Amato families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Amato surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.

Top counties

Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Middlesex leads with 22 Amatos recorded in 1881 and an index of 9.40x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 22 9.40x
Lancashire 1 0.36x
Royal Navy 1 35.84x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Chelsea London in Middlesex leads with 7 Amatos recorded in 1881 and an index of 99.29x.

Place Total Index
Chelsea London 7 99.29x
Ealing 7 334.93x
St George Hanover Square 5 121.36x
St George Bloomsbury 2 149.25x
Royal Navy 1 42.02x
St Andrew Holborn London 1 99.01x
West Derby 1 12.32x

Top female names

These are the female first names most often recorded with the Amato surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
Amelia 2
Alexandrine 1
Annie 1
Carmela 1
Caroline 1
Elizabeth 1
Harriet 1
Julia 1
Phillippa 1
Wilhelmina 1

Top male names

These are the male first names most often recorded with the Amato surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
Edward 2
Frank 2
Peter 2
Carmino 1
Frederick 1
George 1
Harry 1
Jean 1
Ramoli 1
Rodolph 1

Top occupations

Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Amato households.

FAQ

Amato surname: questions and answers

How common was the Amato surname in 1881?

In 1881, 23 people were recorded with the Amato surname. That placed it at #30,339 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Amato surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 556 in 2016. That gives Amato a modern rank of #9,217.

What does the Amato surname mean?

An Italian surname derived from the past participle of the verb "amare," meaning "beloved" or "loved."

What does the Amato map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Amato bearers relative to the surrounding population.

What records is this surname page based on?

The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.