NameCensus.

UK surname

Mun

A Chinese surname of uncertain meaning, possibly referring to the gate of a city or a high gate.

In the 1881 census there were 27 people recorded with the Mun surname, ranking it #29,793 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 51, ranked #34,838, down from #29,793 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Wolverhampton, Edinburgh and St Dunstan Stepney. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Mun is 101 in 1851. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 88.9%.

1881 census count

27

Ranked #29,793

Modern count

51

2016, ranked #34,838

Peak year

1851

101 bearers

Map years

1

1851 to 1851

Key insights

  • Mun had 27 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #29,793 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 51 in 2016, ranked #34,838.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 101 in 1851.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is No data.

Mun surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Mun surname density by area, 1851 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Mun 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 101 #17,036
1881 historical 27 #29,793
1891 historical 3 #34,257
1901 historical 22 #31,562
1997 modern 19 #35,928
1998 modern 18 #36,135
1999 modern 21 #35,810
2000 modern 28 #35,080
2001 modern 27 #35,041
2002 modern 22 #35,709
2003 modern 23 #35,650
2004 modern 26 #35,519
2005 modern 23 #35,924
2006 modern 27 #35,746
2007 modern 30 #35,661
2008 modern 32 #35,610
2009 modern 33 #35,671
2010 modern 42 #35,294
2011 modern 36 #35,613
2012 modern 35 #35,645
2013 modern 39 #35,483
2014 modern 43 #35,293
2015 modern 45 #35,161
2016 modern 51 #34,838

Geography

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Where Muns are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Wolverhampton, Edinburgh, St Dunstan Stepney, St Giles-in-the-Fields and Kilmore and Kilbride. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 Wolverhampton Staffordshire
2 Edinburgh Edinburgh
3 St Dunstan Stepney London (East Districts)
4 St Giles-in-the-Fields London (Central Districts)
5 Kilmore and Kilbride Argyll

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 No data No data

Forenames

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First names often paired with Mun

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Mun

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

No data

Group

No data

Nationally, the Mun surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Mun household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

No data

Group

No data

Within London, Mun is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Mun is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
Asian - Chinese

This describes the area pattern most associated with Mun, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Mun

The surname Mun has its origins in England, dating back to the medieval period. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "mun," which means "hill" or "mound." This suggests that the name was initially given to someone who lived near a prominent hill or mound.

The earliest known record of the name Mun can be found in the Domesday Book, compiled in 1086 under the order of William the Conqueror. This ancient survey documented landowners and their properties throughout England, and it mentions individuals with the surname Mun in various counties, including Wiltshire and Somerset.

During the 13th century, the name Mun appeared in various spellings, such as "Munne," "Monne," and "Monne." These variations were likely due to regional dialects and the lack of standardized spelling conventions at the time. Some early bearers of the name included John Mun, who was recorded in the Pipe Rolls of Warwickshire in 1206, and William Mun, mentioned in the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire in 1275.

One notable figure in history with the surname Mun was Thomas Mun (1571-1641), an English writer and economist who is considered one of the founders of modern economic theory. His work, "England's Treasure by Forraign Trade," published in 1664, advocated for the principles of mercantilism and influenced economic policies in England and other European nations.

Another prominent individual with the Mun surname was Sir Thomas Munro (1761-1827), a Scottish soldier and colonial administrator who served as the Governor of Madras Presidency in British India. He is renowned for his contributions to the development of the Madras Presidency and his efforts to reform the land revenue system.

In the 16th century, the surname Mun was also associated with place names, such as Munfield in Hertfordshire and Mundesley in Norfolk. These place names may have been derived from the same Old English word "mun," suggesting that the surname could have originated from these locations.

Other notable bearers of the Mun surname include William Mun (1835-1920), an English clergyman and author, and George Mun (1908-1989), an American lawyer and jurist who served as a judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.

Throughout its history, the surname Mun has been carried by individuals from various walks of life, including writers, economists, soldiers, administrators, clergymen, and jurists. While its origins can be traced back to medieval England, the name has since spread to other parts of the world, reflecting the diverse journeys and contributions of its bearers.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Mun families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Mun 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. Middlesex leads with 10 Muns recorded in 1881 and an index of 4.10x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 10 4.10x
Leicestershire 3 11.11x
Surrey 3 2.53x
Sussex 2 4.87x
Kent 1 1.20x
Lanarkshire 1 1.27x
Norfolk 1 2.67x
Nottinghamshire 1 3.05x
Staffordshire 1 1.22x
Warwickshire 1 1.63x
Worcestershire 1 3.14x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. St Giles In Fields in Middlesex leads with 5 Muns recorded in 1881 and an index of 595.24x.

Place Total Index
St Giles In Fields 5 595.24x
Bethnal Green London 3 28.36x
Leicester St Margaret 3 45.52x
Shoreditch London 2 18.94x
Camberwell 1 6.43x
Clayworth 1 2500.00x
Coventry Holy Trinity 1 54.64x
Eastbourne 1 52.91x
Glasgow 1 7.15x
Hastings St Andrew 1 666.67x
Lambeth 1 4.71x
Rotherhithe 1 33.22x
Southery 1 1000.00x
Southfleet 1 1250.00x
Wolverhampton 1 15.82x
Worcester St Clement 1 500.00x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Eliza 2
Ann 1
Annie 1
Elizth. 1
Gertrude 1
Lilly 1
Louise 1
Mary 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Arthur 2
John 2
William 2
Charles 1
Dennis 1
Edgar 1
Edward 1
James 1
Peter 1
Robert 1
Stephen 1
Thomas 1

Top occupations

Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Mun households.

FAQ

Mun surname: questions and answers

How common was the Mun surname in 1881?

In 1881, 27 people were recorded with the Mun surname. That placed it at #29,793 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Mun surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 51 in 2016. That gives Mun a modern rank of #34,838.

What does the Mun surname mean?

A Chinese surname of uncertain meaning, possibly referring to the gate of a city or a high gate.

What does the Mun map show?

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