UK surname
An occupational surname derived from the Middle English word "tonge", referring to someone who was a tongue-maker or dealer.
In the 1881 census there were 3 people recorded with the Toung surname, ranking it #33,498 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1, ranked #39,061, down from #33,498 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Bury, Milford with Keyhaven (incl. Efford) and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Toung is 142 in 1891. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 66.7%.
1881 census count
3
Ranked #33,498
Modern count
1
2016, ranked #39,061
Peak year
1891
142 bearers
Map years
1
1891 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Toung surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Toung surname density by area, 1891 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe 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 | 42 | #25,706 |
| 1861 | historical | 27 | #30,543 |
| 1881 | historical | 3 | #33,498 |
| 1891 | historical | 142 | #18,995 |
| 1901 | historical | 89 | #24,154 |
| 1911 | historical | 5 | #33,427 |
| 1997 | modern | 6 | #37,704 |
| 1998 | modern | 1 | #38,814 |
| 2000 | modern | 2 | #38,472 |
| 2001 | modern | 1 | #38,647 |
| 2002 | modern | 3 | #38,152 |
| 2003 | modern | 3 | #38,198 |
| 2004 | modern | 2 | #38,464 |
| 2005 | modern | 2 | #38,532 |
| 2006 | modern | 2 | #38,590 |
| 2007 | modern | 2 | #38,617 |
| 2008 | modern | 2 | #38,673 |
| 2009 | modern | 5 | #38,122 |
| 2010 | modern | 4 | #38,371 |
| 2011 | modern | 1 | #39,015 |
| 2012 | modern | 1 | #38,986 |
| 2013 | modern | 1 | #39,008 |
| 2014 | modern | 1 | #39,020 |
| 2015 | modern | 1 | #39,021 |
| 2016 | modern | 1 | #39,061 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Bury, Milford with Keyhaven (incl. Efford), London parishes and Dudley. 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.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bury | Lancashire |
| 2 | Milford with Keyhaven (incl. Efford) | Hampshire |
| 3 | London parishes | London 1 |
| 4 | Dudley | Staffordshire |
| 5 | London parishes | London 3 |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Toung surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Toung, 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
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Toung surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Toung household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Toung 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
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Toung is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Toung, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname TOUNG has its origins in England, dating back to the 12th century. It is derived from the Old English word "tunge," which means "tongue," referring to the organ or a piece of land resembling a tongue shape. The name was likely initially used as a descriptive nickname or to identify someone's occupation, such as a speaker or orator.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name TOUNG can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire from the year 1179, which mention a person named Ralph Tunge. This suggests that the surname was already in use by the late 12th century.
In the 13th century, the TOUNG surname appeared in various forms, including Tunge, Tonge, and Tounge, reflecting the varying spellings and pronunciations of the time. The Hundred Rolls of 1273 contain references to individuals named Adam Tunge and Robert de Tunge.
The TOUNG surname has been associated with several notable figures throughout history. One such individual was John Tounge, a 14th-century English clergyman who served as the Bishop of Bangor from 1376 to 1389.
During the 16th century, the name TOUNG was found in various parts of England, including Yorkshire, where the surname was recorded as Tonge. Thomas Tonge, born in 1571, was a prominent English author and translator who published works on religion and philosophy.
In the 17th century, the TOUNG surname was linked to Sir George Tonge, a 17th-century English politician and diplomat who was born in 1609 and served as a member of Parliament. He was also involved in the Popish Plot, a supposed Catholic conspiracy to assassinate King Charles II.
Another notable figure with the TOUNG surname was Ezrael Tongo (or Tonge), a 17th-century English clergyman and author who was born in 1621. He wrote several religious works and served as the Rector of St. Michael's Bassishaw in London.
The TOUNG surname continued to be present in various regions of England throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, with records showing individuals bearing the name in counties such as Lancashire, Yorkshire, and Essex.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Toung surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Middlesex leads with 3 Toungs recorded in 1881 and an index of 10.27x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Middlesex | 3 | 10.27x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. St Pancras London in Middlesex leads with 3 Toungs recorded in 1881 and an index of 127.66x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| St Pancras London | 3 | 127.66x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Toung surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
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 Toung households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Domestic Serv (Unemployed) | 1 |
| Scholar | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 3 people were recorded with the Toung surname. That placed it at #33,498 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 1 in 2016. That gives Toung a modern rank of #39,061.
An occupational surname derived from the Middle English word "tonge", referring to someone who was a tongue-maker or dealer.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Toung bearers relative to the surrounding population.
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.