NameCensus.

UK surname

Mateus

A Portuguese surname derived from the given name Mateus, the Portuguese form of Matthew.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Newham, Wandsworth and Ipswich.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Mateus is 204 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

204

2016, ranked #19,320

Peak year

2016

204 bearers

Map years

2

2006 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 204 in 2016, ranked #19,320.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Young Families.

Mateus surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Mateus surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Mateus 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
1997 modern 32 #34,472
1998 modern 47 #33,197
1999 modern 52 #32,848
2000 modern 63 #31,829
2001 modern 57 #32,275
2002 modern 69 #31,527
2003 modern 75 #30,994
2004 modern 95 #28,746
2005 modern 107 #26,875
2006 modern 125 #24,611
2007 modern 125 #24,987
2008 modern 158 #21,690
2009 modern 178 #20,486
2010 modern 193 #19,880
2011 modern 182 #20,495
2012 modern 170 #21,379
2013 modern 182 #20,795
2014 modern 187 #20,570
2015 modern 195 #19,909
2016 modern 204 #19,320

Geography

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Where Mateus' 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 Newham, Wandsworth, Ipswich, Brent and Hackney. 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 Newham 012 Newham
2 Wandsworth 002 Wandsworth
3 Ipswich 006 Ipswich
4 Brent 031 Brent
5 Hackney 012 Hackney

Forenames

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First names often paired with Mateus

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

Historical female names

No Forenames Found

Historical male names

No Forenames Found

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Mateus

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

Ethnically Diverse Young Families

Nationally, the Mateus surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ethnically Diverse Young Families, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Mateus 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 younger parents born overseas (particularly in Africa or EU countries) with children aged 0-4. Individuals identifying as of Mixed or Multiple ethnicities are also common. English may not be the primary language spoken. Accommodation consists principally of flats, and many properties are socially rented and/or overcrowded. Students are also present, unemployment is common, and other adults tend to work in low skilled jobs.

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

Social Rented Sector Families with Children

Group

Social Rented Sector Pockets

Within London, Mateus is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Pockets, part of Social Rented Sector Families with Children. 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

Found in pockets across London, residents are less likely to live in private sector rentals and fewer adults are students. Fewer individuals work in transport and communications occupations relative to the Supergroup average. More individuals identify as Black and were born in Africa.

Wider London pattern

Residents of these neighbourhoods include sizable numbers identifying with ethnicities originating outside Europe, particularly in Africa or Bangladesh. The proportion of residents identifying as White, Indian or Pakistani is well below the London average. Neighbourhood age profiles are skewed towards younger adults, and above average numbers of families have children. Rates of use of English at home are below average. Marriage rates are low, and levels of separation or divorce are above average. Housing is predominantly in flats, and renting in the social rented sector the norm - few residents are owner occupiers. Housing is often overcrowded, and neighbourhoods are amongst the most densely populated in London. Disability rates are above average, although levels of unpaid care provision are about average. Employment is in caring, leisure, other service occupations, sales and customer service, or process, plant, and machine operation. Part time working and full-time student study are common. Levels of unemployment are slightly above average. Most residents have only Level 1 or 2 educational qualifications or have completed apprenticeships.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Mateus 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

Mateus 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 Mateus 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 Mateus, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Mateus

The surname Mateus originated in Portugal. It is derived from the biblical name Matthew, which means "gift of God" in Hebrew. The earliest known record of the name dates back to the 12th century in the region of Minho, in northern Portugal.

In the 13th century, the name Mateus appeared in the Inquirições de D. Afonso III, a medieval census record of landowners and their properties in Portugal. One notable individual from this era was Martim Mateus, a nobleman and landowner in the region of Beira Baixa.

During the 15th century, the name Mateus was found in various municipal records and historical documents throughout Portugal. One prominent figure was João Mateus, a merchant from the city of Porto who traded with England and the Netherlands.

In the 16th century, Mateus became a more widespread surname, particularly in the Algarve region of southern Portugal. Diogo Mateus, born in 1520, was a renowned navigador (navigator) who participated in several maritime expeditions to the East Indies.

The 17th century saw the birth of Luís Mateus de Abreu (1597-1670), a Jesuit priest and missionary who spent many years in Brazil, working to convert and educate the indigenous population.

In more recent history, the name Mateus has been associated with several influential figures. José Mateus (1770-1821) was a prominent military officer during the Peninsular War, fighting against the French invasion of Portugal. António Mateus (1892-1971) was a celebrated poet and writer, known for his works celebrating the beauty of the Alentejo region.

The surname Mateus has also been closely tied to the wine industry in Portugal. The Mateus family, based in the Douro Valley, has been producing the famous Mateus Rosé wine since the 19th century, which has gained international recognition and popularity.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Mateus surname: questions and answers

How common is the Mateus surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 204 in 2016. That gives Mateus a modern rank of #19,320.

What does the Mateus surname mean?

A Portuguese surname derived from the given name Mateus, the Portuguese form of Matthew.

What does the Mateus map show?

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