NameCensus.

UK surname

Kwok

A Chinese surname meaning "country" or "nation," or referring to a person from the ancient state of Guo.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Marchmont West, Forest of Dean and Darlington.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Kwok is 1,002 in 2013. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

987

2016, ranked #5,863

Peak year

2013

1,002 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 987 in 2016, ranked #5,863.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 7 in 1891.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Kwok surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Kwok surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Kwok 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
1891 historical 7 #33,665
1997 modern 630 #7,862
1998 modern 682 #7,628
1999 modern 726 #7,321
2000 modern 726 #7,290
2001 modern 713 #7,263
2002 modern 758 #7,055
2003 modern 761 #6,927
2004 modern 785 #6,771
2005 modern 823 #6,455
2006 modern 820 #6,486
2007 modern 854 #6,351
2008 modern 879 #6,248
2009 modern 917 #6,166
2010 modern 969 #6,028
2011 modern 957 #6,041
2012 modern 963 #5,914
2013 modern 1,002 #5,812
2014 modern 994 #5,889
2015 modern 987 #5,872
2016 modern 987 #5,863

Geography

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Where Kwoks 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 Marchmont West, Forest of Dean, Darlington, Bristol and Liberton East. 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 Marchmont West City of Edinburgh
2 Forest of Dean 004 Forest of Dean
3 Darlington 009 Darlington
4 Bristol 022 Bristol, City of
5 Liberton East City of Edinburgh

Forenames

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First names often paired with Kwok

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

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

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Kwok is most associated with areas classed as Skilled Trades and Construction 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

These scattered, peripheral and often low residential density neighbourhoods house more workers in skilled trades and construction. Few households rent social housing and there are few students. Multiple car ownership is higher than the Supergroup average, perhaps because of poorer public transport connectivity. Incidence of mixed or multiple ethnicity is below the Supergroup average, and the absence of individuals identifying as Pakistani or Other Asian groups is also less pronounced. Flatted accommodation is less dominant than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

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

Kwok 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

Kwok 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 Kwok 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 Kwok, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Kwok

The surname Kwok originates from China, where it has been recorded since ancient times. It is a romanized spelling of the Cantonese pronunciation of the Chinese characters 郭, which can be traced back to the Han Dynasty (206 BC - 220 AD). These characters are believed to have derived from an old Chinese word meaning "outskirts" or "suburban area".

In early Chinese historical records and manuscripts, different variations of the Kwok surname can be found, such as Gok, Kok, and Kook. These variations arose due to the different dialects and regional pronunciations across China. The Kwok surname is particularly prevalent in the Guangdong and Fujian provinces of southern China.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the Kwok surname dates back to the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD), when a scholar named Kwok Yuen-fung (607-672) served as a high-ranking official in the imperial court. Another notable figure was Kwok Ching-tung (1032-1085), a renowned poet and calligrapher during the Song Dynasty.

In the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368), Kwok Wai-yin (1241-1320) was a prominent military leader who played a significant role in the conquest of the Mongol Empire. During the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), Kwok Ching-leung (1539-1612) was a renowned scholar and philosopher who made significant contributions to Neo-Confucianism.

As Chinese immigrants began to settle in other parts of the world, the Kwok surname spread to various countries. One notable bearer of this name was Kwok Ah-tsoi (1876-1962), a prominent Hong Kong businessman and philanthropist who established the Kwok Charitable Trust.

Another influential figure was Kwok Man-wai (1923-2013), a Hong Kong film director and producer who is considered a pioneer of the Hong Kong film industry. He directed over 100 films and is credited with launching the careers of many legendary actors and actresses.

In more recent times, Kwok Hing-sum (1925-2019) was a respected Hong Kong educator and author who made significant contributions to the promotion of Chinese literature and culture. He received numerous awards and honors for his work.

While these are just a few examples, the Kwok surname has a rich and diverse history spanning centuries, reflecting the cultural and historical significance of this ancient Chinese name.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Kwok surname: questions and answers

How common is the Kwok surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 987 in 2016. That gives Kwok a modern rank of #5,863.

What does the Kwok surname mean?

A Chinese surname meaning "country" or "nation," or referring to a person from the ancient state of Guo.

What does the Kwok map show?

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