NameCensus.

UK surname

Sun

A Chinese surname derived from the royal lineage of the Zhou dynasty or referring to descendants of the sun.

In the 1881 census there were 9 people recorded with the Sun surname, ranking it #32,416 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 810, ranked #6,839, up from #32,416 in 1881.

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

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Sun is 810 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 8900.0%.

1881 census count

9

Ranked #32,416

Modern count

810

2016, ranked #6,839

Peak year

2016

810 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Sun had 9 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #32,416 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 810 in 2016, ranked #6,839.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 33 in 1851.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Sun surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Sun surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Sun 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 33 #27,390
1881 historical 9 #32,416
1891 historical 2 #34,436
1901 historical 17 #32,146
1997 modern 95 #27,638
1998 modern 101 #27,479
1999 modern 119 #25,095
2000 modern 137 #23,048
2001 modern 153 #21,197
2002 modern 206 #17,966
2003 modern 267 #14,950
2004 modern 301 #13,850
2005 modern 346 #12,464
2006 modern 365 #12,076
2007 modern 421 #10,920
2008 modern 453 #10,345
2009 modern 509 #9,712
2010 modern 607 #8,710
2011 modern 533 #9,500
2012 modern 657 #8,004
2013 modern 719 #7,586
2014 modern 765 #7,245
2015 modern 775 #7,119
2016 modern 810 #6,839

Geography

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Where Suns 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 Manchester, Cambridge, Birmingham, Camden and Tower Hamlets. 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 Manchester 018 Manchester
2 Cambridge 007 Cambridge
3 Birmingham 138 Birmingham
4 Camden 025 Camden
5 Tower Hamlets 028 Tower Hamlets

Forenames

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First names often paired with Sun

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

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

Sun 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

Sun 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 Sun is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 30-40 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

6
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
Asian - Chinese

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

Meaning and origin of Sun

The surname SUN originated in China, with its earliest recorded use dating back to the Warring States period (475-221 BC). The name is derived from the Chinese character "孙" (sūn), which means "grandchild" or "descendant." It was a common practice in ancient China to adopt generational names as surnames.

During the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD), the name SUN gained prominence. One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname can be found in the historical text "Zizhi Tongjian" (资治通鉴), which mentions the warlord Sun Jian (155-191 AD) and his descendants, who played a pivotal role in the tumultuous Three Kingdoms period.

In the 7th century AD, the prominent scholar and calligrapher Sun Guoting (648-703 AD) made significant contributions to the development of the Regular Script (kaishu) calligraphic style. His works are celebrated and studied to this day.

The surname SUN also has connections to various place names, such as Sunchon County in North Korea and Sunchang County in South Korea. These place names likely originated from individuals bearing the surname SUN who settled in those regions.

Throughout history, several notable figures have carried the surname SUN. Sun Tzu (544-496 BC), the author of the renowned military treatise "The Art of War," is perhaps the most famous. Sun Yat-sen (1866-1925), a revolutionary leader and the first president of the Republic of China, played a crucial role in overthrowing the Qing Dynasty and establishing a modern Chinese state.

Other notable individuals include Sun Simiao (581-682 AD), a celebrated physician and author of the influential medical text "Beiji Qianjin Yaofang" (備急千金要方); Sun Quan (182-252 AD), the founding emperor of the Eastern Wu state during the Three Kingdoms period; and Sun Xingyan (1753-1818), a prominent scholar and poet during the Qing Dynasty.

The surname SUN continues to be widely used in various Chinese communities around the world, carrying a rich historical legacy that spans more than two millennia.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Sun families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Sun 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. Hampshire leads with 3 Suns recorded in 1881 and an index of 18.76x.

County Total Index
Hampshire 3 18.76x
Middlesex 3 3.85x
Lancashire 1 1.08x
Yorkshire 1 1.29x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Holdenhurst in Hampshire leads with 3 Suns recorded in 1881 and an index of 714.29x.

Place Total Index
Holdenhurst 3 714.29x
St George In East 2 377.36x
Bradford 1 53.48x
Islington London 1 13.23x
Liverpool 1 17.79x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Elizabeth 1
Helen 1
Irene 1
Maria 1
Mary 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
AH 2
Joseph 1
Malcolm 1
Watson 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 Sun households.

FAQ

Sun surname: questions and answers

How common was the Sun surname in 1881?

In 1881, 9 people were recorded with the Sun surname. That placed it at #32,416 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Sun surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 810 in 2016. That gives Sun a modern rank of #6,839.

What does the Sun surname mean?

A Chinese surname derived from the royal lineage of the Zhou dynasty or referring to descendants of the sun.

What does the Sun map show?

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