NameCensus.

UK surname

Ong

A Chinese surname meaning "peace" or "harmony," or referring to the Chinese region of Weng.

In the 1881 census there were 165 people recorded with the Ong surname, ranking it #14,559 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,145, ranked #5,152, up from #14,559 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Felsham, Necton and Eccles. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Camden, Kensington and Chelsea and Cambridge.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Ong is 1,145 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 593.9%.

1881 census count

165

Ranked #14,559

Modern count

1,145

2016, ranked #5,152

Peak year

2016

1,145 bearers

Map years

5

1881 to 2016

Key insights

  • Ong had 165 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #14,559 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,145 in 2016, ranked #5,152.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 208 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Ong surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Ong surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Ong 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 85 #18,940
1881 historical 165 #14,559
1891 historical 5 #33,939
1901 historical 208 #14,760
1997 modern 709 #7,181
1998 modern 714 #7,362
1999 modern 749 #7,153
2000 modern 743 #7,154
2001 modern 741 #7,040
2002 modern 809 #6,712
2003 modern 778 #6,815
2004 modern 820 #6,531
2005 modern 826 #6,443
2006 modern 898 #6,056
2007 modern 957 #5,814
2008 modern 980 #5,743
2009 modern 984 #5,840
2010 modern 1,073 #5,550
2011 modern 1,046 #5,603
2012 modern 1,068 #5,424
2013 modern 1,127 #5,272
2014 modern 1,124 #5,307
2015 modern 1,117 #5,287
2016 modern 1,145 #5,152

Geography

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Where Ongs are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Felsham, Necton, Eccles, Hatfield Peverell and Lakenham , Eaton St Andrew, Town Close, St Stephen, St Peter Mancroft, St Giles, St Andrew, St John. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Camden, Kensington and Chelsea, Cambridge, Norwich and City Centre East. 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 Felsham Suffolk
2 Necton Norfolk
3 Eccles Lancashire
4 Hatfield Peverell Essex
5 Lakenham , Eaton St Andrew, Town Close, St Stephen, St Peter Mancroft, St Giles, St Andrew, St John Norfolk

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Camden 025 Camden
2 Kensington and Chelsea 016 Kensington and Chelsea
3 Cambridge 007 Cambridge
4 Norwich 004 Norwich
5 City Centre East Glasgow City

Forenames

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First names often paired with Ong

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Ong

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

Ong 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

Ong falls in decile 6 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.

6
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Ong

The surname ONG originates from Malaysia and has its roots traced back to the 15th century. It is believed to have derived from the Hokkien Chinese word "ong" which means "prosperous" or "flourishing". The name was prominent among the Hokkien Chinese community in the Malaysian states of Penang and Perak.

In ancient Chinese records, the name ONG was found inscribed on stone tablets and scrolls, indicating its long-standing existence. One of the earliest documented references to the name appears in the "Xingshi Hengchao" (姓氏横钞), a comprehensive Chinese genealogical text compiled during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644).

The first recorded bearer of the surname ONG was Ong Tun Perak, a prominent merchant and trader who lived in Penang in the late 18th century. He played a crucial role in establishing trade routes between Malaysia and other parts of Southeast Asia.

Another notable figure was Ong Sum Ping (1857-1918), a successful businessman and philanthropist from Penang. He founded the Ong Teng Cheong School, which remains one of the most prestigious educational institutions in the region.

During the 19th century, the name ONG appeared in several historical documents and records in Malaysia, including land deeds, court proceedings, and business ledgers. The name was also associated with the Ong clan, a powerful and influential family in Penang and the surrounding areas.

In the field of literature, a famous bearer of the name was Ong Tae Hae (1892-1964), a renowned Malaysian poet and writer who contributed significantly to the preservation of Hokkien culture and literature.

Another prominent individual was Ong Keng Sen (1914-1995), a respected statesman and diplomat who served as Malaysia's Ambassador to Thailand and Indonesia during the latter half of the 20th century.

While the surname ONG is most commonly found in Malaysia, it has also spread to other parts of Southeast Asia and beyond due to migration and diaspora. However, its roots and historical significance remain deeply intertwined with the Hokkien Chinese community in Malaysia.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Ong families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Ong 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. Norfolk leads with 58 Ongs recorded in 1881 and an index of 24.02x.

County Total Index
Norfolk 58 24.02x
Essex 41 13.22x
Middlesex 27 1.72x
Suffolk 19 9.93x
Lancashire 9 0.48x
Surrey 5 0.65x
Cambridgeshire 2 2.01x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Heigham in Norfolk leads with 19 Ongs recorded in 1881 and an index of 146.60x.

Place Total Index
Heigham 19 146.60x
Necton 13 3023.26x
Norwich St Clement 9 321.43x
Salford 9 16.42x
St Osyth 9 1200.00x
Felsham 8 4444.44x
Woodham Mortimer 8 4444.44x
Islington London 7 4.60x
Hammersmith London 6 15.51x
Maldon St Peter 6 379.75x
Norwich St James 6 317.46x
Stowmarket 6 271.49x
Shopland 5 10000.00x
Upwell 5 446.43x
West Ham 5 7.30x
Lambeth 4 2.92x
St George Bloomsbury 4 44.40x
Hatfield Peverel 3 447.76x
Lavenham 3 300.00x
Norwich St Julian 3 294.12x
St Pancras London 3 2.37x
Garboldisham 2 571.43x
Gedding 2 4000.00x
Hornsey 2 10.07x
Steeple 2 714.29x
Upwell 2 273.97x
Battersea 1 1.73x
Brentwood 1 52.91x
Fulham London 1 4.39x
Hackney London 1 1.14x
Heston 1 19.16x
Horndon On Hill 1 312.50x
Kensington London 1 1.15x
Swaffham 1 51.02x
West Tilbury 1 526.32x
Westminster St 1 17.27x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Elizabeth 9
Mary 7
Emma 6
Sarah 6
Eliza 5
Julia 4
Martha 4
Amelia 3
Ellen 3
Jane 3
Louisa 3
Emily 2
Florence 2
Susan 2
Agnes 1
Alice 1
Ann 1
Annie 1
Barbara 1
Betsey 1
Emly 1
Eunice 1
Hannah 1
Ida 1
Lydia 1
Maria 1
Rebekah 1
Sushannah 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 16
George 9
John 9
Joseph 7
James 5
Alfred 4
Thomas 4
Walter 4
Charles 3
Henry 3
Arthur 2
Edward 2
Ernest 2
Frederick 2
Isac 2
Robert 2
Samuel 2
Albert 1
Ambrose 1
Benjn. 1
Cecil 1
David 1
Fredick 1
Geo. 1
Hary 1
Herbert 1
Wm. 1

FAQ

Ong surname: questions and answers

How common was the Ong surname in 1881?

In 1881, 165 people were recorded with the Ong surname. That placed it at #14,559 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Ong surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,145 in 2016. That gives Ong a modern rank of #5,152.

What does the Ong surname mean?

A Chinese surname meaning "peace" or "harmony," or referring to the Chinese region of Weng.

What does the Ong map show?

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