NameCensus.

UK surname

Feng

A Chinese surname meaning "abundant" or "plentiful," often referring to a harvest.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Liverpool, Birmingham and Tower Hamlets.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Feng is 363 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

363

2016, ranked #12,777

Peak year

2016

363 bearers

Map years

2

2006 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 363 in 2016, ranked #12,777.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 15 in 1891.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Feng surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Feng surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Feng 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 5 #33,418
1891 historical 15 #32,956
1911 historical 1 #34,332
1997 modern 42 #33,459
1998 modern 49 #33,000
1999 modern 61 #31,971
2000 modern 59 #32,217
2001 modern 59 #32,080
2002 modern 86 #29,771
2003 modern 98 #28,046
2004 modern 112 #26,159
2005 modern 146 #22,146
2006 modern 145 #22,420
2007 modern 170 #20,471
2008 modern 184 #19,666
2009 modern 195 #19,329
2010 modern 261 #16,294
2011 modern 254 #16,458
2012 modern 312 #14,131
2013 modern 329 #13,810
2014 modern 341 #13,528
2015 modern 348 #13,221
2016 modern 363 #12,777

Geography

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Where Fengs 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 Liverpool, Birmingham, Tower Hamlets, Hyndburn and Coventry. 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 Liverpool 031 Liverpool
2 Birmingham 047 Birmingham
3 Tower Hamlets 028 Tower Hamlets
4 Hyndburn 002 Hyndburn
5 Coventry 042 Coventry

Forenames

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First names often paired with Feng

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

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

Feng 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

Feng 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 Feng 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
Asian - Chinese

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

Meaning and origin of Feng

The surname Feng has its origins in China, dating back several centuries. It is derived from the Chinese word 'feng,' which translates to 'wind' or 'prosperity.' The name is particularly prevalent in regions such as Guangdong, Fujian, and Zhejiang provinces.

Historically, the Feng surname can be traced back to the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD), where it was associated with nobility and scholars. Several notable individuals from this period bore the surname, including Feng Dao, a renowned poet and calligrapher.

During the Song Dynasty (960-1279 AD), the Feng surname gained further prominence. Records from this era mention Feng Zhi, a prominent government official and military strategist who played a crucial role in defending the empire against foreign invaders.

In the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 AD), the Feng surname was well-represented among the literati and scholarly elite. One of the most notable figures from this period was Feng Yingjing, a scholar and writer who authored the influential work "Treatise on Food and Drink."

Moving forward to the Qing Dynasty (1644-1912 AD), the Feng surname continued to be associated with academic and literary circles. Feng Guifen, a renowned scholar and poet, was born in 1809 and became a respected figure in the Qing court.

Another notable individual with the Feng surname was Feng Zikai (1898-1975), a renowned artist, writer, and philosopher who played a significant role in promoting traditional Chinese culture and values during the 20th century.

Throughout history, the Feng surname has also been associated with various place names and locales. For example, the city of Fengcheng in Jiangxi Province and the Fengxian District in Shanghai derive their names from the Feng surname, reflecting the influence and presence of this family lineage in those regions.

It is worth noting that while the Feng surname is primarily associated with China, it has also gained recognition in other parts of the world due to immigration and cultural exchange. However, the focus of this report remains on the historical and cultural significance of the Feng surname within the Chinese context.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Feng surname: questions and answers

How common is the Feng surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 363 in 2016. That gives Feng a modern rank of #12,777.

What does the Feng surname mean?

A Chinese surname meaning "abundant" or "plentiful," often referring to a harvest.

What does the Feng map show?

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