NameCensus.

UK surname

Hui

A Chinese surname meaning "intelligent," "wise," or "bright," which originated from the ancient state of Chen.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include City Centre West, East Hertfordshire and Gateshead.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Hui is 669 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

658

2016, ranked #8,097

Peak year

2014

669 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 658 in 2016, ranked #8,097.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 7 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Hui surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Hui surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Hui 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
1901 historical 7 #33,435
1997 modern 392 #11,178
1998 modern 440 #10,581
1999 modern 452 #10,422
2000 modern 444 #10,559
2001 modern 436 #10,500
2002 modern 444 #10,553
2003 modern 455 #10,201
2004 modern 474 #9,889
2005 modern 492 #9,553
2006 modern 518 #9,232
2007 modern 536 #9,068
2008 modern 533 #9,182
2009 modern 569 #8,929
2010 modern 609 #8,686
2011 modern 624 #8,425
2012 modern 656 #8,011
2013 modern 667 #8,042
2014 modern 669 #8,069
2015 modern 651 #8,187
2016 modern 658 #8,097

Geography

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Where Huis 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 City Centre West, East Hertfordshire, Gateshead, Coventry and Derby. 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 City Centre West Glasgow City
2 East Hertfordshire 005 East Hertfordshire
3 Gateshead 007 Gateshead
4 Coventry 042 Coventry
5 Derby 027 Derby

Forenames

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First names often paired with Hui

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

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

Senior Professionals

Within London, Hui is most associated with areas classed as Senior Professionals, 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

These very central neighbourhoods house residents whose ages are more skewed towards older age cohorts than elsewhere in the Supergroup. Few households have young children. Rates of illness are low. Indian ethnicity is rare compared to the Supergroup mean. Property under occupation is more common, despite the centrality of neighbourhoods, and more residents live in communal establishments than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

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

Hui 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

Hui falls in decile 4 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.

4
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Hui

The surname HUI has its origins in China and can be traced back to the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD). It is believed to have derived from the Old Chinese word "Hui" which meant "prosperity" or "affluence". The name was initially concentrated in the regions of Guangdong and Fujian provinces.

During the Song Dynasty (960-1279 AD), the name HUI appeared in several official records and documents, indicating its widespread use among the Chinese population. One notable individual bearing this surname was Hui Dong (1001-1059), a renowned scholar and poet who served as a high-ranking official in the imperial court.

In the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 AD), the HUI surname gained further prominence. Historical records mention a village called "Huizhen" in Guangdong province, which was likely named after a prominent HUI family residing there. One of the earliest recorded examples of the name comes from the famous military strategist and statesman Hui Yingchun (1565-1635), who played a crucial role in the establishment of the Ming Dynasty.

The Qing Dynasty (1644-1912 AD) saw the spread of the HUI surname across various regions of China. One notable figure from this period was Hui Jiang (1703-1786), a highly respected scholar and calligrapher who authored several influential works on Chinese literature and philosophy.

During the 19th century, the HUI surname gained international recognition with the rise of Hui Neng (638-713), a renowned Chinese Buddhist monk and the Sixth Patriarch of the Chan (Zen) tradition. His teachings and writings had a profound impact on the development of Chan Buddhism and continue to influence Buddhist thought and practice to this day.

In more recent times, the HUI surname has been carried by several prominent individuals, including Hui Ying (1923-2002), a celebrated Chinese actress known for her roles in numerous classic films, and Hui Shiru (1938-2022), a renowned Chinese painter and calligrapher who contributed significantly to the preservation and promotion of traditional Chinese art.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Hui surname: questions and answers

How common is the Hui surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 658 in 2016. That gives Hui a modern rank of #8,097.

What does the Hui surname mean?

A Chinese surname meaning "intelligent," "wise," or "bright," which originated from the ancient state of Chen.

What does the Hui map show?

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