NameCensus.

UK surname

Chun

A Chinese surname meaning "spring" or referring to the season of spring, often indicating a new beginning.

In the 1881 census there were 45 people recorded with the Chun surname, ranking it #27,314 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 238, ranked #17,361, up from #27,314 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Merton, Wiltshire and East Devon.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Chun is 238 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 428.9%.

1881 census count

45

Ranked #27,314

Modern count

238

2016, ranked #17,361

Peak year

2016

238 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Chun had 45 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #27,314 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 238 in 2016, ranked #17,361.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 91 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Chun surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Chun surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Chun 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 61 #22,412
1861 historical 47 #28,023
1881 historical 45 #27,314
1891 historical 49 #30,349
1901 historical 78 #25,500
1911 historical 91 #23,684
1997 modern 166 #19,797
1998 modern 173 #19,821
1999 modern 174 #19,870
2000 modern 159 #20,975
2001 modern 161 #20,543
2002 modern 172 #20,108
2003 modern 173 #19,834
2004 modern 174 #19,871
2005 modern 172 #19,908
2006 modern 179 #19,592
2007 modern 179 #19,811
2008 modern 197 #18,818
2009 modern 204 #18,779
2010 modern 217 #18,443
2011 modern 215 #18,379
2012 modern 212 #18,481
2013 modern 219 #18,385
2014 modern 230 #17,872
2015 modern 231 #17,733
2016 modern 238 #17,361

Geography

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Where Chuns 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 Merton, Wiltshire, East Devon, Bath and North East Somerset and South Gloucestershire. 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 Merton 016 Merton
2 Wiltshire 003 Wiltshire
3 East Devon 008 East Devon
4 Bath and North East Somerset 026 Bath and North East Somerset
5 South Gloucestershire 029 South Gloucestershire

Forenames

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First names often paired with Chun

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

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

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins

Within London, Chun is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins, part of Young Families and Mainstream Employment. 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 across London’s Inner and Outer suburbs, residents of these neighbourhoods are typically housed in the social rented sector. Although terraced and semi-detached houses predominate, more residents live in flats than elsewhere in the Supergroup. Neighbourhoods are more ethnically diverse than the Supergroup average. Those identifying as of Bangladeshi, Pakistani and some Black ethnicities are more prevalent. Europeans born in a overseas non-EU countries make up more of the lower proportion of residents identifying as White. Few residents are very old (85+). Employment in distribution, hotels and restaurants is more common than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

Many families in these neighbourhoods have young children. Housing is principally in the social rented sector, in terraced or semi-detached units. While over-all residential densities are low, overcrowding is also prevalent locally. Residents are drawn from a range of ethnic minorities, with many identifying as Black and above average numbers born in Africa. Numbers identifying as of Chinese, Indian or White ethnicity are below average. Levels of proficiency in English are below average. Levels of separation or divorce and incidence of disability are both above average. Education is typically limited to Level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. Few residents work in professional or managerial occupations but the employment structure is otherwise diverse: it includes skilled trades, caring, leisure and other service occupations, sales and customer service occupations, construction, and work as process, plant, and machine operatives.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Chun 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

Chun 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 Chun is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 60-70 mbit/s.

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

9
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
Asian - Chinese

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

Meaning and origin of Chun

The surname "CHUN" has its origins in Korea, with the name first appearing in historical records dating back to the Three Kingdoms period (57 BC - 935 AD). It is derived from the Korean word "chun," which means "spring" or "virtuous."

During the Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392), the name was frequently found in royal and aristocratic families. One notable example is Chun Yu, a renowned scholar and poet who lived in the 12th century. His writings and works were highly influential and are still studied today.

In the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1897), the Chun surname was particularly prevalent in the Gyeongsang and Jeolla provinces. Many Chun families held positions of power and influence in these regions. One of the most famous figures from this period was Chun Hee-jeong (1599-1680), a revered Confucian scholar and philosopher.

The Chun surname can also be traced back to the ancient Chinese character "春," which has the same meaning as the Korean word "chun." This suggests that the name may have originated from Chinese immigrants who settled in Korea during ancient times.

Records from the Goryeo and Joseon Dynasties indicate that the Chun surname was often associated with certain place names. For instance, there were Chun clans from the regions of Yeongam, Gyeongju, and Haeju, among others. These regional affiliations helped distinguish different branches of the Chun family.

Notable individuals with the Chun surname throughout history include Chun Tae-il (1851-1921), a prominent educator and independence activist during the Japanese colonial period; Chun Doo-hwan (1931-2021), a former South Korean president and military dictator; and Chun Woo-hee (1959-), an acclaimed actress and film director.

While the exact origins of the Chun surname may be shrouded in ancient history, its enduring presence and significance in Korean culture and society are undeniable. The name has been carried by scholars, artists, politicians, and many other influential figures over the centuries.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Chun families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Chun 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. Wiltshire leads with 26 Chuns recorded in 1881 and an index of 65.52x.

County Total Index
Wiltshire 26 65.52x
Somerset 9 12.46x
Kent 3 1.96x
Middlesex 3 0.67x
Gloucestershire 2 2.27x
Lancashire 1 0.19x
Royal Navy 1 18.69x
Surrey 1 0.46x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Mildenhall in Wiltshire leads with 7 Chuns recorded in 1881 and an index of 10000.00x.

Place Total Index
Mildenhall 7 10000.00x
Walcot 6 155.84x
Cliffe Pypard 5 4166.67x
Swindon 5 162.34x
Bath St James 3 400.00x
Chisledon 3 1666.67x
Greenwich 3 42.02x
Marlborough St Mary Virgin 2 714.29x
Preshute 2 833.33x
Bristol St James St Paul 1 34.13x
Kensington London 1 4.01x
Kingston On Thames 1 19.05x
Liverpool 1 3.09x
Marlborough St Peter St 1 500.00x
Paddington London 1 6.06x
Stonehouse 1 200.00x
Westminster St James 1 21.69x
Wootton Bassett 1 285.71x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Sarah 4
Ann 3
Ellen 2
Harriet 2
Martha 2
Charlotte 1
Emma 1
Fanny 1
Florence 1
Janice 1
Mary 1
Rose 1
Susanna 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 5
John 4
Thomas 4
Henry 3
George 2
Edward 1
Francis 1
Frank 1
James 1
Joseph 1
Mark 1

FAQ

Chun surname: questions and answers

How common was the Chun surname in 1881?

In 1881, 45 people were recorded with the Chun surname. That placed it at #27,314 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Chun surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 238 in 2016. That gives Chun a modern rank of #17,361.

What does the Chun surname mean?

A Chinese surname meaning "spring" or referring to the season of spring, often indicating a new beginning.

What does the Chun map show?

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