NameCensus.

UK surname

Metzger

An occupational surname of German origin referring to a butcher or someone who cuts meat.

In the 1881 census there were 33 people recorded with the Metzger surname, ranking it #28,965 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 145, ranked #24,293, up from #28,965 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Richmond and St Marylebone. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Brighton and Hove, Basingstoke and Deane and South Staffordshire.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Metzger is 150 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 339.4%.

1881 census count

33

Ranked #28,965

Modern count

145

2016, ranked #24,293

Peak year

2014

150 bearers

Map years

4

1911 to 2016

Key insights

  • Metzger had 33 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #28,965 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 145 in 2016, ranked #24,293.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 122 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Metzger surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Metzger surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Metzger 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
1861 historical 2 #34,135
1881 historical 33 #28,965
1891 historical 63 #28,881
1901 historical 80 #25,251
1911 historical 122 #20,245
1997 modern 126 #23,461
1998 modern 132 #23,394
1999 modern 143 #22,521
2000 modern 137 #23,048
2001 modern 137 #22,740
2002 modern 138 #23,094
2003 modern 121 #24,776
2004 modern 119 #25,200
2005 modern 115 #25,702
2006 modern 120 #25,269
2007 modern 127 #24,748
2008 modern 131 #24,583
2009 modern 140 #24,033
2010 modern 146 #23,921
2011 modern 137 #24,716
2012 modern 138 #24,614
2013 modern 148 #23,884
2014 modern 150 #23,864
2015 modern 144 #24,369
2016 modern 145 #24,293

Geography

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Where Metzgers are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Richmond, St Marylebone and St John Hampstead. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Brighton and Hove, Basingstoke and Deane, South Staffordshire, Rochdale and Ealing. 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 London parishes London 1
2 Richmond Surrey
3 London parishes London 3
4 St Marylebone London (North Districts)
5 St John Hampstead London (North Districts)

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Brighton and Hove 029 Brighton and Hove
2 Basingstoke and Deane 012 Basingstoke and Deane
3 South Staffordshire 011 South Staffordshire
4 Rochdale 024 Rochdale
5 Ealing 012 Ealing

Forenames

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First names often paired with Metzger

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Metzger

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

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Metzger is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. 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

Mainly located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Metzger 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

Metzger 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 Metzger is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 30-40 mbit/s.

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

6
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Metzger

The surname Metzger originated in Germany and Switzerland. It is an occupational name derived from the Middle High German word "metziger", meaning a butcher or meat seller. The name is believed to have emerged in the 12th century, as the need for specialized trades and occupations grew in medieval Europe.

Metzger is a common surname found throughout German-speaking regions, with concentrations in Bavaria, Swabia, and Switzerland. The earliest recorded instances of the name can be traced back to the 13th century in various town records and guild registers.

One of the earliest known references to the name Metzger is found in the Codex Diplomaticus Saxoniae Regiae, a collection of historical documents from Saxony, which mentions a "Henricus Metziger" in 1292. Another notable early record is the Bern Taufbuch, a baptismal register from the city of Bern, Switzerland, which includes entries for several individuals with the surname Metzger in the 14th century.

Among the notable historical figures with the surname Metzger are Johann Metzger (c. 1470-1540), a German Renaissance sculptor and woodcarver from Nuremberg, and Johann Metzger (1572-1657), a Swiss Reformed theologian and professor at the University of Basel.

In the 16th century, a prominent family of Metzgers lived in the town of Kirchheim unter Teck in Württemberg. One member of this family, Hans Metzger (c. 1510-1588), served as a councilor and mayor of the town.

Another noteworthy individual was Christoph Metzger (1591-1667), a German Baroque composer and organist from Memmingen, whose works included numerous sacred and secular compositions.

During the 18th century, Friedrich Metzger (1709-1787) was a renowned German architect and master builder from Mannheim, known for his work on the Mannheim Palace and other significant buildings in the region.

These are just a few examples of the many individuals throughout history who have borne the surname Metzger, a name that reflects the rich cultural heritage and occupational traditions of German-speaking lands.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Metzger families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Metzger 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 13 Metzgers recorded in 1881 and an index of 4.04x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 13 4.04x
Yorkshire 13 4.08x
Lancashire 5 1.31x
Lanarkshire 1 0.96x
Warwickshire 1 1.23x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Islington London in Middlesex leads with 7 Metzgers recorded in 1881 and an index of 22.45x.

Place Total Index
Islington London 7 22.45x
Sheffield 6 59.11x
Ardwick 4 116.28x
Eccleshill 4 512.82x
Hampstead London 4 79.84x
Horton In Bradford 3 60.24x
St George In East 2 91.32x
Barony 1 3.80x
Birkdale 1 103.09x
Leamington Priors 1 50.00x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Amelie 2
Elizabeth 2
Annie 1
Augusta 1
Catherine 1
Ellen 1
Florence 1
Hanna 1
Janet 1
Maria 1
Matilda 1
Mina 1
Nora 1
Pattie 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Adolphe 1
Albert 1
Alexis 1
Alfred 1
August 1
Charles 1
Ernest 1
Gustavis 1
John 1
Jules 1
Louis 1
Philip 1
Robert 1
Samuel 1
Stanley 1
William 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 Metzger households.

FAQ

Metzger surname: questions and answers

How common was the Metzger surname in 1881?

In 1881, 33 people were recorded with the Metzger surname. That placed it at #28,965 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Metzger surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 145 in 2016. That gives Metzger a modern rank of #24,293.

What does the Metzger surname mean?

An occupational surname of German origin referring to a butcher or someone who cuts meat.

What does the Metzger map show?

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