History of the star: A double star in Orion's head, 3.7 and 6, pale white and violet. The Arabic name for Meissa is Al-Maisan, "The shining one" or "The white spot". [Al Maisan is also a title of gamma Gemini (Alhena), by some error was applied to this star as Meissa, and is now common for it].

Al Sufi called it Al Tahayi; but others knew it as Ras al Jauzah, "the Head of the Jauzah", which it marks. [In early Arabic astronomy Orion was Al Jauzah, the term used for a black sheep with a white spot on the middle of the body].

The Arabic spelling is Al-Haq'ah (1), Al Hakah, or Heca "a White Spot", was from the added faint light of the smaller phi¹ and phi² in the background, and has descended to us as Heka and Hika.

These three stars were another of the Athafiyy of the Arabs; and everywhere in early astrology were thought, like all similar groups, to be of unfortunate influence in human affairs [possibly because they were stormy and war stars].

They constituted the Euphratean lunar station Mas-tab-ba-tur-tur, "the Little Twins" [a title also found for gamma and eta Gemini]; and individually were important stars among the Babylonians, rising to them with the sun at the summer solstice.

Alpha (Betelgeuse) with gamma (Bellatrix) and lamda (this star Meissa) were the Euphratean Kakkab Sar, the "Constellation of the King", or Ungal - which  portended fortune, martial honors, wealth, and other kingly attributes.

In other lunar zodiacs they were the Sogdian Marezana, and the Khorasmian Ikhma, "the Twins"; the Persian Avecr, "the Coronet"; and the Coptic Klusos, "Watery".

These same stars also constituted the Hindu 5th nakshatra Mrigaciras, or Mrigacirsha, the "Head of the Stag", — Soma, the Moon, being its presiding divinity, and this star lamda was the junction star towards Ardra, and its determinant.

Other Hindu titles; Andhaka, "Blind", apparently from its dimness [Orion's head is outlined by dim stars but Orion's body has many brilliant stars ]; Aryika, "Honorable", or "Worthy"; and Invaka (Invala), of doubtful meaning. 

[Star Names, Their Lore and Meaning, Richard Hinchley Allen, 1889]. 

The astrological influences of the constellation: It is said to give a strong and dignified nature, self-confidence, inconstancy, arrogance, violence, impiety, and prosperity in trade and particularly in voyages or abroad, but danger of treachery and poison. It was thought by the Romans to be very harmful to cattle and productive of storms. By the Kabalists it is associated with the Hebrew letter Aleph and the 1^st Tarot Trump "The Juggler". (The Magician). (Fixed Stars and Constellations in Astrology , Vivian E. Robson, 1923)

The astrological influences of the constellation given by Manilius: