NameCensus.

UK surname

Ming

A Chinese surname derived from the royal family of the Ming dynasty, which ruled China from 1368 to 1644.

In the 1881 census there were 99 people recorded with the Ming surname, ranking it #19,877 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 280, ranked #15,491, up from #19,877 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Willesden and Hardwicke. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Knowsley, Wandsworth and Sandwell.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Ming is 280 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 182.8%.

1881 census count

99

Ranked #19,877

Modern count

280

2016, ranked #15,491

Peak year

2016

280 bearers

Map years

6

1891 to 2016

Key insights

  • Ming had 99 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #19,877 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 280 in 2016, ranked #15,491.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 117 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations.

Ming surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Ming surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Ming 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
1851 historical 52 #23,915
1861 historical 94 #21,883
1881 historical 99 #19,877
1891 historical 104 #23,388
1901 historical 112 #21,382
1911 historical 117 #20,757
1997 modern 176 #19,091
1998 modern 180 #19,298
1999 modern 171 #20,072
2000 modern 166 #20,426
2001 modern 169 #19,912
2002 modern 184 #19,275
2003 modern 192 #18,568
2004 modern 187 #18,993
2005 modern 201 #18,080
2006 modern 208 #17,835
2007 modern 210 #17,904
2008 modern 225 #17,282
2009 modern 238 #17,002
2010 modern 254 #16,604
2011 modern 236 #17,279
2012 modern 247 #16,661
2013 modern 257 #16,466
2014 modern 265 #16,247
2015 modern 268 #16,007
2016 modern 280 #15,491

Geography

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Where Mings are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Willesden, Hardwicke and Lambeth. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Knowsley, Wandsworth, Sandwell, Lewisham and Birmingham. 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 London parishes London 1
2 Willesden Middlesex (Exclusive Of London Districts)
3 London parishes London 3
4 Hardwicke Buckinghamshire
5 Lambeth London (South Districts)

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Knowsley 020 Knowsley
2 Wandsworth 007 Wandsworth
3 Sandwell 020 Sandwell
4 Lewisham 020 Lewisham
5 Birmingham 048 Birmingham

Forenames

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First names often paired with Ming

These lists show first names that appear often with the Ming surname in historical and recent records.

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Ming

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

Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities

Group

Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations

Nationally, the Ming surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Ming 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 is often found in less central parts of London and other major towns and cities. Adults are more likely than the Supergroup average to have never been married and are typically aged less than 45 years. Many have young dependent children and individuals may have been born in Africa. There are many members identifying with a Black ethnic group, with the other ethnic groups (as listed in the glossary) also represented, though Chinese less so. Accommodation in flats, frequently socially rented, is common in these neighbourhoods. Part time employment is also common, and work is often in elementary occupations, while unemployment is also the highest within this Supergroup.

Wider pattern

Young adults, many of whom are students, predominate in these high-density and overcrowded neighbourhoods of rented terrace houses or flats. Most ethnic minorities are present in these communities, as are people born in European countries that are not part of the EU. Students aside, low skilled occupations predominate, and unemployment rates are above average. Overall, the mix of students and more sedentary households means that neighbourhood average numbers of children are not very high. The Mixed or Multiple ethnic group composition of neighbourhoods is often associated with low rates of affiliation to Christian religions. This Supergroup predominates in non-central urban locations the UK, particularly within England in the Midlands and the outskirts of west, south and north-east London.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Social Rented Sector Families with Children

Group

Social Rented Sector Pockets

Within London, Ming is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Pockets, part of Social Rented Sector Families with Children. 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

Found in pockets across London, residents are less likely to live in private sector rentals and fewer adults are students. Fewer individuals work in transport and communications occupations relative to the Supergroup average. More individuals identify as Black and were born in Africa.

Wider London pattern

Residents of these neighbourhoods include sizable numbers identifying with ethnicities originating outside Europe, particularly in Africa or Bangladesh. The proportion of residents identifying as White, Indian or Pakistani is well below the London average. Neighbourhood age profiles are skewed towards younger adults, and above average numbers of families have children. Rates of use of English at home are below average. Marriage rates are low, and levels of separation or divorce are above average. Housing is predominantly in flats, and renting in the social rented sector the norm - few residents are owner occupiers. Housing is often overcrowded, and neighbourhoods are amongst the most densely populated in London. Disability rates are above average, although levels of unpaid care provision are about average. Employment is in caring, leisure, other service occupations, sales and customer service, or process, plant, and machine operation. Part time working and full-time student study are common. Levels of unemployment are slightly above average. Most residents have only Level 1 or 2 educational qualifications or have completed apprenticeships.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Ming 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

Ming falls in decile 2 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.

2
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Ming

The surname MING originated in China during the Ming Dynasty, which ruled from 1368 to 1644. The name itself is derived from the Chinese characters meaning "bright" or "brilliant." It is believed to have been adopted as a surname by members of the imperial family or those closely associated with the ruling dynasty.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the MING surname can be found in the historical records of the Ming Dynasty itself. These records document the lives and accomplishments of prominent individuals bearing this name, including government officials, scholars, and military leaders.

During the Ming Dynasty, the MING surname was particularly concentrated in the regions around the capital city of Nanjing and the surrounding areas of Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces. Over time, as people migrated and settled in different parts of China, the MING surname spread to other regions as well.

In the realm of literature, one notable figure with the MING surname was Ming Jing (1428-1507), a renowned scholar and writer who served as an official in the Ming court. His works, which included poetry and essays, were widely admired and influential during his time.

Another prominent individual bearing the MING surname was Ming Zheng (1507-1583), a Confucian scholar and educator. He is renowned for his contributions to the development of neo-Confucian philosophy and for his efforts in promoting education and moral teachings.

In the field of art, the MING surname was carried by Ming Zhen (1568-1628), a renowned painter and calligrapher. His works, characterized by their delicate brushstrokes and elegant compositions, are considered among the finest examples of Ming Dynasty art.

During the Ming Dynasty, several place names were associated with the MING surname. For instance, the town of Mingxian in Sichuan province was named after a prominent MING family who lived in the area. Similarly, the village of Mingshan in Anhui province derived its name from the MING lineage that resided there.

Throughout history, the MING surname has been carried by many other notable individuals, including military leaders, merchants, and artists. While the surname may have evolved in its spelling or pronunciation across different regions, its connection to the illustrious Ming Dynasty remains a defining part of its legacy.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Ming families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Ming surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.

Top counties

Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Surrey leads with 25 Mings recorded in 1881 and an index of 5.66x.

County Total Index
Surrey 25 5.66x
Buckinghamshire 18 32.82x
Middlesex 18 1.98x
Oxfordshire 11 19.64x
Kent 5 1.62x
Sussex 3 1.96x
Bedfordshire 2 4.26x
Hampshire 2 1.08x
Leicestershire 2 1.99x
Norfolk 2 1.43x
Yorkshire 2 0.22x
Aberdeenshire 1 1.19x
Lancashire 1 0.09x
Warwickshire 1 0.44x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Aylesbury in Buckinghamshire leads with 10 Mings recorded in 1881 and an index of 411.52x.

Place Total Index
Aylesbury 10 411.52x
Camberwell 9 15.53x
Chertsey 8 279.72x
Weedon 8 6153.85x
Hackney London 7 13.76x
Gt Milton 5 2631.58x
Kensington London 5 9.91x
Deptford St Paul 4 16.76x
Brighton 3 9.72x
Lambeth 3 3.79x
Oxford St Thomas 3 114.94x
Battersea 2 5.99x
Bedford St Paul 2 62.11x
Croft 2 1176.47x
Hammersmith London 2 8.95x
Oxford St Ebbe 2 121.21x
Pickwell Leesthorpe 2 2500.00x
Pulham St Mary Magdalen 2 571.43x
St Marylebone London 2 4.13x
Aberdeen Old Machar 1 5.70x
Cowley 1 57.14x
Egham 1 36.90x
Islington London 1 1.14x
Kingston On Thames 1 9.42x
Leamington Priors 1 17.76x
Paddington London 1 3.00x
Portsea 1 2.74x
Ramsgate 1 19.80x
St Bartholomew Hyde 1 227.27x
Wandsworth 1 11.45x
West Derby 1 3.18x

Top female names

These are the female first names most often recorded with the Ming surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Top male names

These are the male first names most often recorded with the Ming surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

FAQ

Ming surname: questions and answers

How common was the Ming surname in 1881?

In 1881, 99 people were recorded with the Ming surname. That placed it at #19,877 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Ming surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 280 in 2016. That gives Ming a modern rank of #15,491.

What does the Ming surname mean?

A Chinese surname derived from the royal family of the Ming dynasty, which ruled China from 1368 to 1644.

What does the Ming map show?

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