NameCensus.

UK surname

Kwon

A Korean surname derived from the Chinese character meaning "power," "authority," or "might."

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Kingston upon Thames, Sutton and Harrow.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Kwon is 114 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

114

2016, ranked #28,515

Peak year

2016

114 bearers

Map years

1

2016 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 114 in 2016, ranked #28,515.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 3 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Outer Suburbs.

Kwon surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Kwon surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Kwon 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 3 #33,861
1911 historical 1 #34,332
1997 modern 17 #36,181
1998 modern 18 #36,135
1999 modern 20 #35,923
2000 modern 22 #35,684
2001 modern 23 #35,451
2002 modern 27 #35,243
2003 modern 36 #34,522
2004 modern 41 #34,306
2005 modern 40 #34,562
2006 modern 49 #34,152
2007 modern 62 #33,346
2008 modern 64 #33,402
2009 modern 70 #33,182
2010 modern 87 #31,990
2011 modern 77 #32,909
2012 modern 83 #32,611
2013 modern 92 #31,909
2014 modern 107 #29,827
2015 modern 106 #29,895
2016 modern 114 #28,515

Geography

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Where Kwons 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 Kingston upon Thames, Sutton, Harrow and Mole Valley. 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 Kingston upon Thames 012 Kingston upon Thames
2 Kingston upon Thames 007 Kingston upon Thames
3 Sutton 015 Sutton
4 Harrow 027 Harrow
5 Mole Valley 003 Mole Valley

Forenames

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First names often paired with Kwon

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

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Kwon, 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

Ethnically Diverse Suburban Professionals

Group

Outer Suburbs

Nationally, the Kwon surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Outer Suburbs, within Ethnically Diverse Suburban Professionals. This does not mean every Kwon household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

These neighbourhoods are found on the outer edges of many towns and cities. Many residents were born outside the UK. Indian ethnic group representation is high. There are high numbers of families with dependent children aged 5 to 14. Incidences of disability and of provision of unpaid care are low. Neighbourhoods provide a mix of detached housing and flats, and terraced housing is not uncommon. Levels of overcrowding are low and homeownership rates are high. Professional and managerial occupations are prevalent: unemployment is low and education to degree level is the norm.

Wider pattern

Those working within the managerial, professional and administrative occupations typically reflect a wide range of ethnic groups, and reside in detached or semi-detached housing. Their residential locations at the edges of cities and conurbations and car-based lifestyles are more characteristic of Supergroup membership than birthplace or participation in child-rearing. Houses are typically owner-occupied and marriage rates are lower than the national average. This Supergroup is found throughout suburban UK.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

London Fringe

Within London, Kwon is most associated with areas classed as London Fringe, part of Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs. 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

Predominantly located in neighbourhoods on the outskirts of Greater London, residents of these neighbourhoods typically have their highest qualifications below degree (Level 4) level, with those still in work engaged in skilled trades and occupations in distribution, hotels and restaurants. There is low ethnic diversity in these neighbourhoods and high levels of Christian religious affiliation. Detached or terraced houses predominate, often with spare rooms.

Wider London pattern

The age distribution of these neighbourhoods is skewed towards the middle-aged and old, although few residents live alone or in communal establishments and numbers of dependent children are around average. Owner occupation is the norm, as is residence in detached or semi-detached houses. Residential densities are low and many households have spare rooms. Most residents were born in the UK and, aside from some identifying as members of Chinese or Indian ethnicities, identify as White. Mixed ethnicity households are rare. Incidence of married couples is higher than average and few individuals have never been married. A large proportion of individuals still in employment work in administrative and secretarial occupations, or in the construction industry. Few residents are students, and many households own more than one car.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Kwon 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

Kwon falls in decile 10 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

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

10
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Kwon

The surname KWON originated from Korea, where it has been in use since ancient times. It is a Korean family name derived from the word "kwon," which means "leader" or "authority" in the Korean language.

The KWON surname is particularly prevalent in the regions of Gyeongsang and Jeolla, located in the southern part of the Korean peninsula. It is believed to have been adopted by clans and families associated with leadership roles or positions of authority within their respective communities.

Historically, the KWON surname can be traced back to the Three Kingdoms period (57 BC - 935 AD) in Korean history. Several notable figures bearing the KWON surname emerged during this era, including Kwon Yu, a revered scholar and philosopher who lived during the Silla Kingdom (57 BC - 935 AD).

In the Goryeo Dynasty (918 - 1392 AD), the KWON surname gained further prominence, with Kwon Kun (1090 - 1155), a renowned Confucian scholar and statesman, being one of the most influential figures of that time.

During the Joseon Dynasty (1392 - 1897), the KWON surname continued to be associated with scholarly and official ranks. Kwon Geun (1352 - 1408), a prominent Neo-Confucian scholar and diplomat, and Kwon Sang-hon (1567 - 1624), a respected scholar and writer, were both notable figures from this period.

The KWON surname has also been associated with various place names in Korea, such as Kwon-ri, a village in Gyeongsang Province, and Kwon-dong, a neighborhood in Seoul.

Some other notable individuals with the KWON surname throughout history include Kwon Oh-hyun (1942 - 2022), a South Korean businessman and former CEO of Samsung Electronics, and Kwon Ri Se (born 1972), a North Korean politician and diplomat.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Kwon surname: questions and answers

How common is the Kwon surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 114 in 2016. That gives Kwon a modern rank of #28,515.

What does the Kwon surname mean?

A Korean surname derived from the Chinese character meaning "power," "authority," or "might."

What does the Kwon map show?

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