NameCensus.

UK surname

Ng

A Chinese surname meaning "peaceful" or referring to the ancient state of Ng during the Zhou dynasty.

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

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Ng is 3,958 in 2013. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

3,864

2016, ranked #1,750

Peak year

2013

3,958 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 3,864 in 2016, ranked #1,750.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Ng surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Ng surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Ng 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
1901 historical 1 #34,548
1997 modern 1,818 #3,303
1998 modern 2,078 #3,063
1999 modern 2,387 #2,733
2000 modern 2,689 #2,466
2001 modern 2,755 #2,374
2002 modern 2,896 #2,324
2003 modern 2,941 #2,231
2004 modern 2,996 #2,192
2005 modern 3,139 #2,065
2006 modern 3,304 #1,984
2007 modern 3,417 #1,919
2008 modern 3,472 #1,915
2009 modern 3,571 #1,910
2010 modern 3,926 #1,770
2011 modern 3,880 #1,766
2012 modern 3,800 #1,768
2013 modern 3,958 #1,731
2014 modern 3,930 #1,749
2015 modern 3,874 #1,753
2016 modern 3,864 #1,750

Geography

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Where Ngs 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 Cambridge, Coventry, Oxford, Manchester 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 Cambridge 007 Cambridge
2 Coventry 042 Coventry
3 Oxford 008 Oxford
4 Manchester 055 Manchester
5 Camden 026 Camden

Forenames

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First names often paired with Ng

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

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

Central Connected Professionals and Managers

Group

Senior Professionals

Within London, Ng is most associated with areas classed as Senior Professionals, part of Central Connected Professionals and Managers. 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 very central neighbourhoods house residents whose ages are more skewed towards older age cohorts than elsewhere in the Supergroup. Few households have young children. Rates of illness are low. Indian ethnicity is rare compared to the Supergroup mean. Property under occupation is more common, despite the centrality of neighbourhoods, and more residents live in communal establishments than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

Adult residents of these neighbourhoods are typically aged 25 to 44, working full-time in professional, managerial or associate professional occupations. There are few families with dependent children. The predominantly Inner London neighbourhoods have an international character, including many residents born elsewhere in Europe alongside high numbers of individuals identifying as of Chinese ethnicity. Many individuals are never married, childless and/or living alone. Above average numbers of individuals, likely to be full-time students, live in communal establishments. Elsewhere, privately rented flats are the dominant housing type. Residents of these areas are well-qualified, with a significant number holding Level 4 or above qualifications. There is a correspondingly high level of individuals employed full-time in professional, managerial and associated professional or technical occupations. Employing industries are financial, real estate, professional, administration, and, to a lesser degree, transport and communications. Unemployment is uncommon.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Ng 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

Ng falls in decile 4 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.

4
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Ng

The surname "Ng" is of Chinese origin, specifically from the Cantonese dialect. It is believed to have originated during the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD) in the Guangdong province of southern China.

The name "Ng" is derived from the Chinese character "吴" (Wu), which was a prominent kingdom and cultural center during ancient times. The character "吴" was later simplified to "伍" (Ng) in Cantonese and became a common surname.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname "Ng" can be found in the "Qing Bai Lei Chao" (Collection of Surnames), a genealogical text compiled during the Song Dynasty (960-1279 AD). This text lists several variations of the surname, including "Ng," "Woo," and "Wu."

During the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 AD), the surname "Ng" was particularly concentrated in the Pearl River Delta region of Guangdong. Many individuals bearing this surname were recorded in local gazetteers and county annals from that time period.

Notable historical figures with the surname "Ng" include Ng Mui (c. 1670-1752), a legendary martial artist and one of the Five Elders who taught the Shaolin martial arts. Another prominent individual was Ng Choy Shing (1876-1944), a Chinese revolutionary and politician who played a significant role in the Guangdong uprising against the Qing Dynasty.

In the 19th century, the surname "Ng" began to spread beyond Guangdong as Chinese immigrants migrated to other parts of the world. Ng Poon Chew (1866-1957), a prominent businessman and community leader in Singapore, was one such individual who helped establish the Ng clan's presence in Southeast Asia.

Ng Akew (1911-1977), a renowned Cantonese opera singer and actress, was another notable figure who helped popularize the surname "Ng" in the 20th century. Her performances and recordings are considered cultural treasures in the Cantonese-speaking world.

Other notable individuals with the surname "Ng" include Ng Ser Miang (1923-2005), a Singaporean businessman and philanthropist, and Ng Suat Tong (1939-2022), a Malaysian engineer and academic who made significant contributions to the field of structural engineering.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Ng surname: questions and answers

How common is the Ng surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 3,864 in 2016. That gives Ng a modern rank of #1,750.

What does the Ng surname mean?

A Chinese surname meaning "peaceful" or referring to the ancient state of Ng during the Zhou dynasty.

What does the Ng map show?

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