NameCensus.

UK surname

Matta

An Italian occupational surname referring to a person who makes or sells mats or rugs.

In the 1881 census there were 47 people recorded with the Matta surname, ranking it #27,019 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 224, ranked #18,164, up from #27,019 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Cornwall and Brentwood.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Matta is 237 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 376.6%.

1881 census count

47

Ranked #27,019

Modern count

224

2016, ranked #18,164

Peak year

2014

237 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Matta had 47 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #27,019 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 224 in 2016, ranked #18,164.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 70 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Matta surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Matta surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Matta 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 26 #28,667
1861 historical 46 #28,170
1881 historical 47 #27,019
1891 historical 58 #29,439
1901 historical 68 #26,598
1911 historical 70 #25,853
1997 modern 123 #23,792
1998 modern 130 #23,603
1999 modern 135 #23,279
2000 modern 137 #23,048
2001 modern 136 #22,855
2002 modern 143 #22,595
2003 modern 143 #22,367
2004 modern 162 #20,756
2005 modern 175 #19,727
2006 modern 169 #20,294
2007 modern 183 #19,553
2008 modern 197 #18,818
2009 modern 206 #18,657
2010 modern 232 #17,657
2011 modern 233 #17,426
2012 modern 225 #17,733
2013 modern 224 #18,080
2014 modern 237 #17,528
2015 modern 226 #17,995
2016 modern 224 #18,164

Geography

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Where Mattas 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 Cornwall and Brentwood. 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 Cornwall 030 Cornwall
2 Cornwall 038 Cornwall
3 Cornwall 039 Cornwall
4 Brentwood 006 Brentwood
5 Cornwall 024 Cornwall

Forenames

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First names often paired with Matta

These lists show first names that appear often with the Matta 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 Matta

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Matta, 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 Matta surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Matta 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

Social Rented Sector Families with Children

Group

Social Rented Sector Pockets

Within London, Matta 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

Matta 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

Matta 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 Matta 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
Other Ethnic Group

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

Meaning and origin of Matta

The surname Matta has its origins in Italy, with records dating back to the 12th century. It is believed to have derived from the Italian word "matto," meaning "mad" or "foolish," and may have been used as a nickname or descriptive name for someone who was considered eccentric or unconventional.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in a document from the city of Genoa, dated 1185, which mentions a person named Guglielmo Matta. Another early reference is in a manuscript from the town of Orvieto in Umbria, from around 1230, where a certain Matteo Matta is listed among the local residents.

During the medieval period, the Matta name was particularly prevalent in the regions of Liguria, Tuscany, and Umbria. It is possible that the name may have originated from a place name, as there are several small villages in Italy with similar names, such as Mattarello in the province of Trento, and Mattarana in the province of Cosenza.

In the 14th century, a notable figure bearing the Matta name was Francesco Matta, a renowned painter from Siena who was active between 1350 and 1380. His works can still be found in various churches and museums across Tuscany.

Another famous individual with the Matta surname was Giulio Matta, a Venetian artist and engraver who lived from 1550 to 1616. He is best known for his intricate etchings and engravings, many of which depicted religious scenes and mythological subjects.

During the Renaissance period, the Matta family also produced several scholars and intellectuals, including Giovanni Battista Matta, a mathematician and astronomer from Genoa who lived from 1572 to 1644. He is credited with making significant contributions to the field of optics and for his work on the theory of refraction.

In the 18th century, a notable figure was Benedetto Matta, a composer and violinist from Naples who lived from 1705 to 1778. He gained recognition for his instrumental works, particularly his violin concertos, which were widely performed throughout Europe during his lifetime.

As the Matta surname spread across Italy and beyond, variations in spelling emerged, such as Matti, Mattei, and Mattia. These variations were often influenced by regional dialects and traditions, further enriching the history and diversity of this Italian surname.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Matta families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Matta 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. Cornwall leads with 26 Mattas recorded in 1881 and an index of 49.08x.

County Total Index
Cornwall 26 49.08x
Durham 8 5.75x
Devon 7 7.19x
Middlesex 3 0.64x
Gloucestershire 2 2.18x
Isle of Man 1 11.51x
Yorkshire 1 0.22x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. St Austell in Cornwall leads with 12 Mattas recorded in 1881 and an index of 662.98x.

Place Total Index
St Austell 12 662.98x
St Ewe 11 6875.00x
Bishopwearmouth 8 66.95x
Bishops Tawton 7 2333.33x
Westbury On Trym 2 64.31x
Hayes 1 208.33x
Mevagissey 1 285.71x
Onchan 1 40.00x
Paddington London 1 5.81x
Riccall 1 769.23x
Saltash 1 243.90x
St Blazey 1 212.77x
St George Martyr 1 126.58x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Elizabeth 5
Maria 2
Martha 2
Mary 2
Sophia 2
Anne 1
Annie 1
Avis 1
Catherine 1
Cordelia 1
Ellen 1
Emma 1
Fanny 1
Florence 1
Grace 1
Harriet 1
Helena 1
M. 1
Mabel 1
Nancy 1
Violet 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Stephen 4
Richard 3
Arthur 1
Charles 1
Charlie 1
Claude 1
George 1
Henry 1
John 1
Joseph 1
Rickard 1
Victor 1
William 1
Willie 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 Matta households.

FAQ

Matta surname: questions and answers

How common was the Matta surname in 1881?

In 1881, 47 people were recorded with the Matta surname. That placed it at #27,019 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Matta surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 224 in 2016. That gives Matta a modern rank of #18,164.

What does the Matta surname mean?

An Italian occupational surname referring to a person who makes or sells mats or rugs.

What does the Matta map show?

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