NameCensus.

UK surname

Meta

A surname derived from the Greek word "meta," meaning "after" or "beyond."

In the 1881 census there were 1 people recorded with the Meta surname, ranking it #34,027 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 115, ranked #28,348, up from #34,027 in 1881.

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

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Meta is 115 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 11400.0%.

1881 census count

1

Ranked #34,027

Modern count

115

2016, ranked #28,348

Peak year

2016

115 bearers

Map years

1

2016 to 2016

Key insights

  • Meta had 1 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #34,027 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 115 in 2016, ranked #28,348.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 2 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Young Families.

Meta surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Meta surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Meta 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 1 #33,412
1881 historical 1 #34,027
1891 historical 1 #34,674
1901 historical 2 #34,263
1911 historical 2 #34,020
1997 modern 19 #35,928
1998 modern 17 #36,240
1999 modern 22 #35,725
2000 modern 19 #36,007
2001 modern 18 #35,961
2002 modern 32 #34,790
2003 modern 34 #34,681
2004 modern 32 #35,019
2005 modern 30 #35,347
2006 modern 46 #34,415
2007 modern 63 #33,243
2008 modern 69 #32,962
2009 modern 94 #30,538
2010 modern 95 #31,000
2011 modern 87 #31,905
2012 modern 104 #29,543
2013 modern 106 #29,740
2014 modern 109 #29,452
2015 modern 107 #29,708
2016 modern 115 #28,348

Geography

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Where Metas 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, Stroud, Southwark and Barking and Dagenham. 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 023 Newham
2 Stroud 014 Stroud
3 Southwark 016 Southwark
4 Newham 016 Newham
5 Barking and Dagenham 021 Barking and Dagenham

Forenames

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First names often paired with Meta

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

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

Meta 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

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

Meaning and origin of Meta

The surname Meta originated in the region of Piedmont, Italy during the Middle Ages. It is derived from the Italian word "meta," meaning "goal" or "target." This name was likely given to someone who lived near a boundary marker or milestone, or perhaps to an individual known for their determination and focus in achieving their goals.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the Meta surname can be found in a document from the 13th century, where a "Giovanni Meta" is mentioned as a resident of the town of Asti in Piedmont. In the 14th century, a "Guglielmo Meta" is listed as a landowner in the nearby village of Monferrato.

The surname Meta also appears in several historical records from the Renaissance period. In the 16th century, a "Bartolomeo Meta" was a notable merchant and banker in the city of Genoa. Around the same time, a "Lucrezia Meta" was a renowned painter in the court of the Medici family in Florence.

In the 17th century, the Meta surname was well-established in various parts of Italy. A notable figure from this period was "Francesco Meta," a renowned architect who designed several churches and palaces in the city of Naples between 1620 and 1680.

As the Meta family spread across Italy, variations in the spelling of the surname emerged, such as "Metta" and "Metta." In the 18th century, a "Giuseppe Metta" was a prominent lawyer and politician in the Kingdom of Sardinia.

Moving into the 19th century, a "Vincenzo Meta" was a celebrated composer and musician who lived in the city of Turin from 1825 to 1898. His works were widely performed throughout Italy and Europe during his lifetime.

Throughout its history, the Meta surname has been carried by individuals from various walks of life, including artists, scholars, merchants, and professionals. While not as widely known as some other Italian surnames, it holds a rich and diverse heritage rooted in the culture and traditions of the Piedmont region.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Meta families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Meta 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. Surrey leads with 1 Metas recorded in 1881 and an index of 21.28x.

County Total Index
Surrey 1 21.28x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Lambeth in Surrey leads with 1 Metas recorded in 1881 and an index of 119.05x.

Place Total Index
Lambeth 1 119.05x

Top female names

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

Name Count
George 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 Meta households.

Occupation Count
Independent 1

FAQ

Meta surname: questions and answers

How common was the Meta surname in 1881?

In 1881, 1 people were recorded with the Meta surname. That placed it at #34,027 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Meta surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 115 in 2016. That gives Meta a modern rank of #28,348.

What does the Meta surname mean?

A surname derived from the Greek word "meta," meaning "after" or "beyond."

What does the Meta map show?

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