NameCensus.

UK surname

Chee

A Chinese occupational surname referring to a maker of carriages or carts.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include St. Helens, Southend-on-Sea and Brent.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Chee is 252 in 2015. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

244

2016, ranked #17,096

Peak year

2015

252 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 244 in 2016, ranked #17,096.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 11 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Chee surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Chee surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Chee 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 2 #33,133
1861 historical 10 #32,589
1891 historical 7 #33,665
1901 historical 1 #34,548
1911 historical 11 #32,463
1997 modern 124 #23,669
1998 modern 132 #23,394
1999 modern 145 #22,305
2000 modern 151 #21,684
2001 modern 145 #21,951
2002 modern 159 #21,086
2003 modern 160 #20,789
2004 modern 175 #19,805
2005 modern 175 #19,727
2006 modern 168 #20,368
2007 modern 189 #19,146
2008 modern 198 #18,753
2009 modern 210 #18,426
2010 modern 238 #17,323
2011 modern 226 #17,792
2012 modern 237 #17,132
2013 modern 242 #17,158
2014 modern 246 #17,079
2015 modern 252 #16,705
2016 modern 244 #17,096

Geography

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Where Chees 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 St. Helens, Southend-on-Sea, Brent, Camden and Nottingham. 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 St. Helens 006 St. Helens
2 Southend-on-Sea 001 Southend-on-Sea
3 Brent 028 Brent
4 Camden 025 Camden
5 Nottingham 032 Nottingham

Forenames

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First names often paired with Chee

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

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

Central Connected Professionals and Managers

Group

City Support Workers

Within London, Chee is most associated with areas classed as City Support Workers, part of Central Connected Professionals and Managers. 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

Scattered throughout Inner London, these areas house relatively few workers in the most senior roles within organisations, and greater prevalence of administrative roles relative to the Supergroup mean. Residents are less likely to be of Chinese ethnicity and are more likely to have been born in Africa. Relative to the Supergroup average, residents are also more likely to live in social housing and live in overcrowded conditions.

Wider London pattern

Adult residents of these neighbourhoods are typically aged 25 to 44, working full-time in professional, managerial or associate professional occupations. There are few families with dependent children. The predominantly Inner London neighbourhoods have an international character, including many residents born elsewhere in Europe alongside high numbers of individuals identifying as of Chinese ethnicity. Many individuals are never married, childless and/or living alone. Above average numbers of individuals, likely to be full-time students, live in communal establishments. Elsewhere, privately rented flats are the dominant housing type. Residents of these areas are well-qualified, with a significant number holding Level 4 or above qualifications. There is a correspondingly high level of individuals employed full-time in professional, managerial and associated professional or technical occupations. Employing industries are financial, real estate, professional, administration, and, to a lesser degree, transport and communications. Unemployment is uncommon.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Chee 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

Chee 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 Chee 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
Asian - Chinese

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

Meaning and origin of Chee

The surname CHEE is believed to have originated in China, with its roots traced back to the 16th century. It is thought to be derived from the Chinese word "chi," meaning "lucky" or "auspicious." This surname was particularly common in the Guangdong province of southern China, where many early bearers of the name resided.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the CHEE surname can be found in the Ming Dynasty archives, where a scholar named CHEE Xiansheng was mentioned for his contributions to literature and philosophy. During the Qing Dynasty, a renowned artist named CHEE Zhongshan gained recognition for his intricate landscape paintings, which are now preserved in various museums across China.

In the 18th century, a merchant named CHEE Guanfeng played a significant role in establishing trade routes between China and Southeast Asia, facilitating the export of silk and porcelain. His successful business ventures contributed to the spread of the CHEE surname across the region.

As Chinese immigrants began to settle in various parts of the world, the CHEE surname could be found in different countries. In Malaysia, a prominent figure named CHEE Swee Hee (1916-1999) made his mark as a successful businessman and philanthropist, establishing several educational institutions and contributing to the development of the nation.

Another notable bearer of the CHEE surname was CHEE Soon Juan (1924-2007), a Singaporean politician and diplomat who served as the country's ambassador to several nations and played a crucial role in shaping Singapore's foreign policy during the early years of its independence.

In the United States, CHEE Kung Tong (1887-1957) was a renowned herbalist and practitioner of traditional Chinese medicine, who gained recognition for his expertise in treating various ailments and promoting holistic healing practices.

The CHEE surname has also been associated with various place names and locations throughout history. For example, the village of Chee Keng in Malaysia was named after an early settler with the CHEE surname, reflecting the influence and presence of this family in the region.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Chee surname: questions and answers

How common is the Chee surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 244 in 2016. That gives Chee a modern rank of #17,096.

What does the Chee surname mean?

A Chinese occupational surname referring to a maker of carriages or carts.

What does the Chee map show?

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