NameCensus.

UK surname

Tong

A Chinese surname referring to a pavilion, hall, or someone who lived near one.

In the 1881 census there were 1,059 people recorded with the Tong surname, ranking it #3,720 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 2,174, ranked #2,978, up from #3,720 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Graveney, Boughton-under-Blean, London parishes and Dunkirk. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Maidstone, Kensington and Chelsea and Kingston upon Hull.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Tong is 2,261 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 105.3%.

1881 census count

1,059

Ranked #3,720

Modern count

2,174

2016, ranked #2,978

Peak year

2010

2,261 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Tong had 1,059 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #3,720 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 2,174 in 2016, ranked #2,978.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,437 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Tong surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Tong surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Tong 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 652 #3,985
1861 historical 468 #5,549
1881 historical 1,059 #3,720
1891 historical 987 #4,190
1901 historical 1,338 #3,739
1911 historical 1,437 #3,364
1997 modern 1,924 #3,142
1998 modern 1,967 #3,199
1999 modern 2,020 #3,156
2000 modern 1,997 #3,169
2001 modern 1,969 #3,144
2002 modern 2,057 #3,102
2003 modern 2,041 #3,064
2004 modern 2,035 #3,071
2005 modern 2,020 #3,057
2006 modern 2,019 #3,066
2007 modern 2,070 #3,024
2008 modern 2,074 #3,041
2009 modern 2,162 #3,004
2010 modern 2,261 #2,935
2011 modern 2,170 #3,010
2012 modern 2,117 #3,024
2013 modern 2,205 #2,958
2014 modern 2,211 #2,967
2015 modern 2,188 #2,968
2016 modern 2,174 #2,978

Geography

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Where Tongs are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Graveney, Boughton-under-Blean, London parishes, Dunkirk, Batley and Dewsbury. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Maidstone, Kensington and Chelsea, Kingston upon Hull, Chorley and North Lincolnshire. 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 Graveney, Boughton-under-Blean Kent
2 London parishes London 3
3 Dunkirk Kent
4 Batley Yorkshire, West Riding
5 Dewsbury Yorkshire, West Riding

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Maidstone 011 Maidstone
2 Kensington and Chelsea 016 Kensington and Chelsea
3 Kingston upon Hull 001 Kingston upon Hull, City of
4 Chorley 001 Chorley
5 North Lincolnshire 003 North Lincolnshire

Forenames

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First names often paired with Tong

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Tong

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

Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities

Group

Rural Amenity

Nationally, the Tong surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Tong 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 comprises older parents or retirees, with no resident dependent children, and with the lowest residential densities in this Supergroup. Predominantly UK-born, residents typically live in detached houses, although others do live in semi-detached and terraced properties. The level of multiple car ownership is the highest in this Supergroup. Most houses are owner occupied although social renting is also present. Many concentrations occur in high amenity rural locations, such as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Wider pattern

Pervasive throughout the UK, members of this Supergroup typically own (or are buying) their detached, semi-detached or terraced homes. They are also typically educated to A Level/Highers or degree level and work in skilled or professional occupations. Typically born in the UK, some families have children, although the median adult age is above 45 and some property has become under-occupied after children have left home. This Supergroup is pervasive not only in suburban locations, but also in neighbourhoods at or beyond the edge of cities that adjoin rural parts of the country.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Tong 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

Tong 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

Tong 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 Tong 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 Tong, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Tong

The surname Tong is believed to have originated in China, with references dating back to the 3rd century BCE. It is derived from the Chinese word "tóng" which means "copper" or "bronze." This suggests that the name may have been associated with those involved in metalworking or the production of bronze items.

In ancient Chinese records, the name Tong can be found in various historical texts and manuscripts. One notable mention is in the "Book of Han," a classical Chinese historical text from the 1st century BCE, which records the names of individuals with the surname Tong who held official positions during the Han Dynasty.

The earliest recorded use of the surname Tong can be traced back to the Tang Dynasty (618-907 CE). During this period, the name appeared in various official records and documents, indicating its widespread use among the Chinese population.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the surname Tong was Tong Guan (589-648 CE), a prominent Chinese poet and writer during the Tang Dynasty. Another notable figure was Tong Xuan (1593-1636 CE), a renowned Chinese philosopher and scholar during the Ming Dynasty.

In later periods, the surname Tong spread to other parts of Asia, including Vietnam and Korea. In Vietnam, the name is spelled as "Đồng," while in Korea, it is transcribed as "Tong" or "Dong."

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the surname Tong:

1. Tong Dizhou (1628-1684 CE), a Chinese mathematician and astronomer during the Qing Dynasty. 2. Tong Ling (1666-1723 CE), a Chinese novelist and playwright known for his work "The Romance of the Pie and Pastry Case." 3. Tong King (1912-1998), a prominent Chinese-American architect and urban planner. 4. Tong Enzheng (1935-1997), a Chinese novelist and poet, best known for his work "The Autobiography of a Book." 5. Tong Cungui (1592-1636 CE), a Chinese painter and calligrapher during the Ming Dynasty.

While the surname Tong has its roots in ancient China, it has since spread across the globe, with individuals bearing this name found in various countries and cultures.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Tong families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Tong 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. Lancashire leads with 268 Tongs recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.19x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 268 2.19x
Kent 264 7.50x
Yorkshire 146 1.43x
Lincolnshire 82 4.97x
Middlesex 59 0.57x
Surrey 38 0.76x
Herefordshire 37 8.75x
Shropshire 34 3.82x
Cornwall 33 2.83x
Hampshire 25 1.18x
Nottinghamshire 13 0.94x
Worcestershire 10 0.74x
Radnorshire 9 10.82x
Warwickshire 9 0.35x
Staffordshire 8 0.23x
Brecknockshire 5 2.42x
Hertfordshire 5 0.70x
Cumberland 4 0.45x
Cheshire 2 0.09x
Devon 2 0.09x
Essex 1 0.05x
Lanarkshire 1 0.03x
Merionethshire 1 0.53x
Sussex 1 0.06x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Little Bolton in Lancashire leads with 74 Tongs recorded in 1881 and an index of 47.04x.

Place Total Index
Little Bolton 74 47.04x
Soothill 44 119.21x
Dunkirk 27 1030.53x
Boughton Under Blean 25 424.45x
Farnworth 22 30.01x
Great Bolton 22 13.58x
Hernhill 22 830.19x
Mylor 21 268.54x
Darcy Lever 19 269.89x
Holy Trinity 18 7.32x
Kearsley 17 66.05x
Sittingbourne 16 57.60x
Deptford St Paul 15 5.53x
Dewsbury 15 14.31x
Chatham 14 14.47x
Faversham 12 35.77x
Harrietsham 12 500.00x
Turton 12 59.91x
Ashford 11 32.11x
Barrow On Humber 11 114.94x
Falmouth 11 26.62x
Hackney London 11 1.90x
Portsea 11 2.66x
Westhoughton 11 33.69x
Bermondsey 10 3.26x
Selling 10 346.02x
St Paul Lincoln 10 346.02x
Stalisfield 10 833.33x
Sutton Valence 10 250.00x
Birmingham 9 1.04x
Eccleshill 9 36.20x
Enfield 9 13.30x
Ossett Cum Gawthorpe 9 24.66x
Pembridge 9 193.13x
Rochester St Margaret 9 24.26x
Tonge With Haulgh 9 37.78x
Wardleworth 9 12.87x
Gillingham 8 11.03x
Headingley Cum Burley 8 12.16x
Lambeth 8 0.89x
Leintwardine 8 185.61x
Salford 8 2.22x
Sanderstead 8 592.59x
Failsworth 7 25.01x
Ruskington 7 166.67x
Shobdon 7 522.39x
St George Hanover 7 5.20x
St Marylebone London 7 1.27x
St Swithin Lincoln 7 27.01x
Wandsworth 7 7.05x
Babworth 6 232.56x
Bromsgrove 6 13.24x
Glanford Brigg 6 102.04x
Halliwell 6 13.47x
Laceby 6 167.13x
Llangunllo 6 348.84x
Lostock 6 217.39x
Ospringe 6 138.57x
Roos 6 319.15x
Snodland 6 60.18x
St Maryle Wigford 6 46.84x
St Nicholas Lincoln 6 38.07x
Twickenham 6 13.57x
Whippingham 6 37.50x
Abbey Dore 5 264.55x
Elland Cum Greetland 5 10.86x
Everton 5 1.28x
Gorton 5 4.35x
Horncastle 5 29.38x
Immingham 5 526.32x
Meopham 5 114.94x
Misterton 5 116.28x
Shifnal 5 20.68x
Southampton St Mary 5 3.76x
Tottenham 5 3.04x
Weobley 5 160.26x
Atherton 4 8.98x
Burton Upon Trent 4 4.91x
Keyingham 4 179.37x
Stoke Prior 4 48.19x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 71
Sarah 42
Elizabeth 38
Jane 28
Alice 25
Ellen 22
Ann 21
Eliza 18
Annie 15
Emma 14
Emily 12
Hannah 12
Margaret 12
Maria 9
Anne 7
Betsy 7
Charlotte 7
Florence 7
Edith 6
Harriet 6
Ada 5
Caroline 5
Fanny 5
Louisa 5
Agnes 4
Betsey 4
Clara 4
Grace 4
Kate 4
Lucy 4
Martha 4
Rebecca 4
Catherine 3
Esther 3
Frances 3
Isabella 3
Minnie 3
Miriam 3
Susanna 3
Amelia 2
Elizth. 2
Gertrude 2
Harriett 2
Julia 2
Lydia 2
Margt. 2
Susan 2
Bessie 1
Elizar 1
Susannah 1

Top male names

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

FAQ

Tong surname: questions and answers

How common was the Tong surname in 1881?

In 1881, 1,059 people were recorded with the Tong surname. That placed it at #3,720 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Tong surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 2,174 in 2016. That gives Tong a modern rank of #2,978.

What does the Tong surname mean?

A Chinese surname referring to a pavilion, hall, or someone who lived near one.

What does the Tong map show?

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