NameCensus.

UK surname

Leung

A Chinese surname meaning "cool" or "cold," referring to a cool-headed or shrewd person, or a cold place.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Coventry, Cambridge and Oxford.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Leung is 3,007 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

2,999

2016, ranked #2,240

Peak year

2014

3,007 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 2,999 in 2016, ranked #2,240.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 11 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Leung surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Leung surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Leung 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 11 #32,452
1901 historical 2 #34,263
1911 historical 1 #34,332
1997 modern 2,079 #2,955
1998 modern 2,152 #2,974
1999 modern 2,221 #2,917
2000 modern 2,266 #2,848
2001 modern 2,230 #2,835
2002 modern 2,397 #2,716
2003 modern 2,401 #2,657
2004 modern 2,495 #2,576
2005 modern 2,630 #2,440
2006 modern 2,653 #2,428
2007 modern 2,731 #2,393
2008 modern 2,781 #2,373
2009 modern 2,856 #2,358
2010 modern 2,968 #2,323
2011 modern 2,933 #2,320
2012 modern 2,888 #2,315
2013 modern 2,984 #2,284
2014 modern 3,007 #2,283
2015 modern 2,971 #2,280
2016 modern 2,999 #2,240

Geography

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Where Leungs 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 Coventry, Cambridge, Oxford and Camden. 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 Coventry 042 Coventry
2 Cambridge 007 Cambridge
3 Oxford 006 Oxford
4 Oxford 008 Oxford
5 Camden 025 Camden

Forenames

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First names often paired with Leung

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

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

Leung 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

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

Meaning and origin of Leung

The surname LEUNG is believed to have originated in China, with its roots dating back to the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD). It is derived from the Chinese characters 梁, which can be translated as "bridge" or "beam." The name's origins can be traced to various regions in southern and eastern China, including Guangdong, Guangxi, and Fujian provinces.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the LEUNG surname can be found in historical documents from the Song Dynasty (960-1279 AD), where it appeared in local records and genealogical texts. The name was also mentioned in the renowned literary work "The Water Margin," a classic novel from the 14th century that depicted the lives of a group of outlaws during the Song Dynasty.

In the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 AD), the LEUNG surname gained prominence and was associated with several notable figures. One such individual was LEUNG Wan-zai (1591-1673), a renowned scholar and calligrapher who served as an official in the imperial court. Another notable bearer of the LEUNG name was LEUNG Qing (1632-1718), a celebrated painter and poet known for his landscape paintings and calligraphic works.

During the Qing Dynasty (1644-1912 AD), the LEUNG surname continued to be well-represented among scholars, artists, and officials. One prominent figure was LEUNG Fat (1763-1826), a renowned poet and essayist who made significant contributions to the literary world of his time. Additionally, LEUNG Yee-tsi (1719-1796) was a highly respected Confucian scholar and philosopher who played a crucial role in reviving and preserving the teachings of Confucianism during the Qing era.

In more recent history, the LEUNG surname has been associated with several notable individuals. LEUNG Chun-ying (born 1954) is a prominent Hong Kong politician who served as the Chief Executive of Hong Kong from 2012 to 2017. LEUNG Ka-lau (1905-1977) was a renowned Cantonese opera singer and actor who made significant contributions to the preservation and promotion of Cantonese opera.

The LEUNG surname has also been associated with various place names and locations throughout China. For example, the village of Leung Uk Tsuen in Hong Kong's New Territories is believed to have derived its name from the LEUNG family who settled in the area. Similarly, the Leung Shuen Wan Bay in the New Territories is named after the LEUNG clan that once inhabited the region.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Leung surname: questions and answers

How common is the Leung surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 2,999 in 2016. That gives Leung a modern rank of #2,240.

What does the Leung surname mean?

A Chinese surname meaning "cool" or "cold," referring to a cool-headed or shrewd person, or a cold place.

What does the Leung map show?

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