NameCensus.

UK surname

Chung

A Korean surname derived from the Chinese surname Zhong, meaning "bell" or "clock."

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Westminster, Whitfield and Eddlewood.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Chung is 3,619 in 2013. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

3,604

2016, ranked #1,882

Peak year

2013

3,619 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 3,604 in 2016, ranked #1,882.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 10 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Chung surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Chung surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Chung 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 7 #33,053
1891 historical 1 #34,674
1901 historical 5 #33,728
1911 historical 10 #32,609
1997 modern 2,460 #2,551
1998 modern 2,601 #2,515
1999 modern 2,726 #2,449
2000 modern 2,803 #2,377
2001 modern 2,775 #2,364
2002 modern 2,966 #2,269
2003 modern 2,997 #2,191
2004 modern 3,023 #2,172
2005 modern 3,072 #2,104
2006 modern 3,097 #2,087
2007 modern 3,181 #2,064
2008 modern 3,242 #2,054
2009 modern 3,357 #2,038
2010 modern 3,528 #1,972
2011 modern 3,517 #1,954
2012 modern 3,485 #1,938
2013 modern 3,619 #1,893
2014 modern 3,612 #1,901
2015 modern 3,569 #1,912
2016 modern 3,604 #1,882

Geography

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Where Chungs 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 Westminster, Whitfield, Eddlewood, Manchester and Robroyston and Millerston. 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 Westminster 009 Westminster
2 Whitfield Dundee City
3 Eddlewood South Lanarkshire
4 Manchester 055 Manchester
5 Robroyston and Millerston Glasgow City

Forenames

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First names often paired with Chung

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

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

Chung 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

Chung falls in decile 6 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname near the middle of the scale.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

6
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Chung 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 Chung, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Chung

The surname Chung is of Chinese origin and can be traced back to the Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220 AD) in ancient China. It is derived from the Chinese word "zhong," which means "middle" or "central." The name was originally used to refer to people who lived in the central regions of China.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Chung can be found in the "Book of Han," a historical text that chronicles the Eastern Han Dynasty. The book mentions several individuals with the surname Chung who held important positions in the imperial court.

During the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD), the Chung surname became particularly prominent in the Shandong and Henan provinces of China. Many Chung families rose to prominence during this period, and several individuals with this surname held high-ranking positions in the imperial government.

In the 11th century, a notable Chung family established itself in the city of Hangzhou, which was then the capital of the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279 AD). The Chung clan played a significant role in the cultural and political life of the city, and several members of the family were renowned scholars and officials.

One of the most famous historical figures with the surname Chung is Chung Ying (1461-1537), a renowned Chinese painter and calligrapher who lived during the Ming Dynasty. His works are highly regarded and can be found in numerous museums and collections around the world.

Another notable individual with the Chung surname is Chung Yao (1892-1981), a Chinese poet and playwright who was a prominent figure in the May Fourth Movement, a socio-political movement that sought to modernize Chinese culture and society.

In the 20th century, Chung Shan (1909-1984), a Chinese mathematician and educator, made significant contributions to the field of mathematics education in China. He is widely regarded as one of the pioneers of modern mathematics education in the country.

Chung Yu-jo (1928-2015) was a renowned Taiwanese novelist and essayist who was widely celebrated for his works that explored the complexities of modern Taiwanese society and culture.

The surname Chung has also been prominent in other parts of Asia. In Korea, the surname is romanized as Jung, and it has a long and distinguished history dating back to the ancient Korean kingdoms.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Chung families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Chung 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. Royal Navy leads with 2 Chungs recorded in 1881 and an index of 869.57x.

County Total Index
Royal Navy 2 869.57x

Top male names

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

Name Count
AH 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 Chung households.

Occupation Count
Capt Servt 1

FAQ

Chung surname: questions and answers

How common is the Chung surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 3,604 in 2016. That gives Chung a modern rank of #1,882.

What does the Chung surname mean?

A Korean surname derived from the Chinese surname Zhong, meaning "bell" or "clock."

What does the Chung map show?

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