NameCensus.

UK surname

Matei

A surname derived from the given name Matthew, meaning "gift of God".

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Harrow, Kensington and Chelsea and Barnet.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Matei is 428 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

428

2016, ranked #11,234

Peak year

2016

428 bearers

Map years

1

2016 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 428 in 2016, ranked #11,234.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1 in 1891.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established Multi-Ethnic Communities.

Matei surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Matei surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Matei 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
1891 historical 1 #34,674
1997 modern 2 #38,557
1998 modern 2 #38,550
1999 modern 1 #38,820
2000 modern 2 #38,472
2001 modern 2 #38,335
2002 modern 2 #38,400
2003 modern 10 #36,964
2004 modern 22 #35,878
2005 modern 35 #34,982
2006 modern 36 #35,131
2007 modern 65 #33,045
2008 modern 90 #30,567
2009 modern 122 #26,220
2010 modern 181 #20,738
2011 modern 205 #18,965
2012 modern 269 #15,706
2013 modern 296 #14,876
2014 modern 334 #13,749
2015 modern 381 #12,345
2016 modern 428 #11,234

Geography

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Where Mateis 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 Harrow, Kensington and Chelsea, Barnet and Hammersmith and Fulham. 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 Harrow 010 Harrow
2 Harrow 007 Harrow
3 Kensington and Chelsea 013 Kensington and Chelsea
4 Barnet 036 Barnet
5 Hammersmith and Fulham 011 Hammersmith and Fulham

Forenames

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First names often paired with Matei

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Matei

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Matei, 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

Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities

Group

Established Multi-Ethnic Communities

Nationally, the Matei surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Established Multi-Ethnic Communities, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Matei household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Parents and young children in this Group are drawn from diverse ethnic backgrounds in broadly similar proportions. Employment is typically in elementary occupations, though workers in professional, intermediate or skilled trades occupations are also present. The residential landscape is dominated by terraced housing, although semi-detached houses and flats are also present. This Group is found in London and in many provincial towns and cities throughout the U.K.

Wider pattern

Young adults, many of whom are students, predominate in these high-density and overcrowded neighbourhoods of rented terrace houses or flats. Most ethnic minorities are present in these communities, as are people born in European countries that are not part of the EU. Students aside, low skilled occupations predominate, and unemployment rates are above average. Overall, the mix of students and more sedentary households means that neighbourhood average numbers of children are not very high. The Mixed or Multiple ethnic group composition of neighbourhoods is often associated with low rates of affiliation to Christian religions. This Supergroup predominates in non-central urban locations the UK, particularly within England in the Midlands and the outskirts of west, south and north-east London.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Suburban Asian Communities

Group

Settled Semi-Detached Asians

Within London, Matei is most associated with areas classed as Settled Semi-Detached Asians, part of Suburban Asian Communities. 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 residents share Supergroup characteristics of large (non-Chinese) Asian populations but those identifying as Bangladeshi are notably absent. Many residents were born in the UK, while other more recent migrants have African birthplaces. Semi-detached housing, much of it owner occupied, prevails in these suburban residential locations.

Wider London pattern

Many residents of these neighbourhoods are of (non-Chinese) Asian descent, with many identifying as Indian, Pakistani or Bangladeshi. Neighbourhoods are located across large areas of suburban west, north-east and south London. Detached, semi-detached and terraced houses are more prevalent than flats and socially rented housing is uncommon. Few residents live in communal establishments. Many families have dependent children, sometimes in overcrowded accommodation, and few households are ethnically mixed. Marriage rates are above the London average. The even age distribution, relative absence of individuals living alone and frequent incidence of households with children suggests that multi-generation households may be relatively common. Employment is often in skilled trades, elementary, sales and customer service occupations, and roles as process, plant, and machine operatives. Manufacturing and construction are well represented, along with employment in distribution, hotels, and restaurants. Many adults have only level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. English is not used at home by some residents. Religious affiliation is above average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Matei 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

Matei falls in decile 4 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname near the middle of the scale.

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

4
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Matei 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
Unknown

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

Meaning and origin of Matei

The surname Matei has its origins in Romania, dating back to at least the 16th century. It is believed to be derived from the Romanian given name Matei, which is the equivalent of the English name Matthew, meaning "gift of God" from the Hebrew name Mattithyahu.

In the early days, Matei was likely a patronymic surname, indicating that the bearer was the son or descendant of someone named Matei. As surnames became more widespread and hereditary in Romanian culture, the name Matei evolved into a distinct family name.

One of the earliest recorded mentions of the surname Matei comes from a 17th-century document in the archives of the Principality of Wallachia, where a landowner named Gheorghe Matei is mentioned. Another notable early bearer of the name was Ioan Matei, a prominent merchant and trader in the city of Brasov during the late 17th century.

In the 18th century, the Matei name can be found in various historical records, including church registers and land deeds. One notable figure from this period was Mihai Matei, a renowned scholar and educator who taught at the prestigious St. Sava Academy in Bucharest (born in 1734, died in 1796).

As the 19th century dawned, the Matei surname continued to gain prominence. One of the most famous bearers of the name during this time was Nicolae Matei, a celebrated poet and writer who was a leading figure in the Romanian literary renaissance (born in 1826, died in 1890).

Another notable figure with the Matei surname was Alexandru Matei, a prominent politician and statesman who served as the Prime Minister of Romania in the late 19th century (born in 1841, died in 1909). He was instrumental in the modernization of Romania's infrastructure and the development of the country's education system.

In the 20th century, the Matei name was carried on by several influential individuals, including the renowned sculptor Gheorghe Matei (born in 1908, died in 1992), whose works can be found in numerous public spaces throughout Romania.

While the surname Matei has its roots in Romania, it has since spread to other parts of the world due to migration and intermarriage. However, its origins and historical significance remain firmly rooted in the rich cultural heritage of Romania.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Matei surname: questions and answers

How common is the Matei surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 428 in 2016. That gives Matei a modern rank of #11,234.

What does the Matei surname mean?

A surname derived from the given name Matthew, meaning "gift of God".

What does the Matei map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Matei 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.