NameCensus.

UK surname

Weng

A Chinese surname of uncertain meaning, possibly referring to a place name or a musical instrument.

In the 1881 census there were 2 people recorded with the Weng surname, ranking it #33,721 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 162, ranked #22,512, up from #33,721 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Camden, Tameside and Waltham Forest.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Weng is 162 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 8000.0%.

1881 census count

2

Ranked #33,721

Modern count

162

2016, ranked #22,512

Peak year

2016

162 bearers

Map years

1

2016 to 2016

Key insights

  • Weng had 2 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #33,721 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 162 in 2016, ranked #22,512.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 18 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations.

Weng surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Weng surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Weng 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 1 #33,412
1861 historical 18 #31,580
1881 historical 2 #33,721
1891 historical 12 #33,181
1901 historical 2 #34,263
1911 historical 8 #32,903
1997 modern 16 #36,292
1998 modern 19 #36,009
1999 modern 20 #35,923
2000 modern 19 #36,007
2001 modern 20 #35,754
2002 modern 25 #35,428
2003 modern 30 #35,046
2004 modern 31 #35,105
2005 modern 36 #34,894
2006 modern 46 #34,415
2007 modern 54 #34,042
2008 modern 56 #34,084
2009 modern 64 #33,675
2010 modern 85 #32,185
2011 modern 82 #32,449
2012 modern 116 #27,550
2013 modern 133 #25,655
2014 modern 146 #24,274
2015 modern 148 #23,934
2016 modern 162 #22,512

Geography

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Where Wengs 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 Camden, Tameside, Waltham Forest and Forest of Dean. 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 Camden 010 Camden
2 Tameside 005 Tameside
3 Waltham Forest 018 Waltham Forest
4 Tameside 002 Tameside
5 Forest of Dean 005 Forest of Dean

Forenames

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First names often paired with Weng

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

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

Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities

Group

Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations

Nationally, the Weng surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Weng 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 is often found in less central parts of London and other major towns and cities. Adults are more likely than the Supergroup average to have never been married and are typically aged less than 45 years. Many have young dependent children and individuals may have been born in Africa. There are many members identifying with a Black ethnic group, with the other ethnic groups (as listed in the glossary) also represented, though Chinese less so. Accommodation in flats, frequently socially rented, is common in these neighbourhoods. Part time employment is also common, and work is often in elementary occupations, while unemployment is also the highest within this Supergroup.

Wider pattern

Young adults, many of whom are students, predominate in these high-density and overcrowded neighbourhoods of rented terrace houses or flats. Most ethnic minorities are present in these communities, as are people born in European countries that are not part of the EU. Students aside, low skilled occupations predominate, and unemployment rates are above average. Overall, the mix of students and more sedentary households means that neighbourhood average numbers of children are not very high. The Mixed or Multiple ethnic group composition of neighbourhoods is often associated with low rates of affiliation to Christian religions. This Supergroup predominates in non-central urban locations the UK, particularly within England in the Midlands and the outskirts of west, south and north-east London.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Social Rented Sector Families with Children

Group

Social Rented Sector Pockets

Within London, Weng is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Pockets, part of Social Rented Sector Families with Children. 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

Found in pockets across London, residents are less likely to live in private sector rentals and fewer adults are students. Fewer individuals work in transport and communications occupations relative to the Supergroup average. More individuals identify as Black and were born in Africa.

Wider London pattern

Residents of these neighbourhoods include sizable numbers identifying with ethnicities originating outside Europe, particularly in Africa or Bangladesh. The proportion of residents identifying as White, Indian or Pakistani is well below the London average. Neighbourhood age profiles are skewed towards younger adults, and above average numbers of families have children. Rates of use of English at home are below average. Marriage rates are low, and levels of separation or divorce are above average. Housing is predominantly in flats, and renting in the social rented sector the norm - few residents are owner occupiers. Housing is often overcrowded, and neighbourhoods are amongst the most densely populated in London. Disability rates are above average, although levels of unpaid care provision are about average. Employment is in caring, leisure, other service occupations, sales and customer service, or process, plant, and machine operation. Part time working and full-time student study are common. Levels of unemployment are slightly above average. Most residents have only Level 1 or 2 educational qualifications or have completed apprenticeships.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Weng 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

Weng falls in decile 1 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

1
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Weng is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 60-70 mbit/s.

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

9
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
Asian - Chinese

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

Meaning and origin of Weng

The surname "WENG" is believed to have originated in Germany, with its earliest known roots dating back to the 12th century. It is thought to have been derived from the Old German word "wengo," which meant "meadow" or "pasture." The name was likely adopted by families who lived or worked in or near such areas.

Some of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in medieval German records, such as the "Codex Diplomaticus Saxoniae Regiae," which includes references to individuals with the surname "Weng" as early as the 13th century. The name also appears in various regional chronicles and parish records throughout Germany during this time period.

One notable figure with the surname "Weng" was Johannes Weng, a German theologian and writer who lived in the 15th century (c. 1420 - 1487). He was a prominent member of the Augustinian order and authored several works on religious philosophy and theology.

In the 16th century, the name "Weng" can be found in records from the town of Weng, located in the region of Swabia in southern Germany. This suggests that the name may have also been derived from or influenced by this place name, which itself likely originated from the Old German word "wengo."

Another individual of note was Hans Weng (c. 1580 - 1649), a German painter and engraver who was active in the early 17th century. He is known for his intricate copper engravings and etchings, many of which depicted religious scenes and portraits.

As the name spread throughout Germany and into neighboring regions, various spellings and variations emerged, such as "Wengh," "Wengk," and "Wenck." One such variation was "Wengert," which was the surname of Johann Wengert (1592 - 1647), a German composer and organist who served at the court of the Elector of Saxony.

In the 18th century, the name appeared in records from the town of Wengern in the region of Westphalia, where families bearing the surname "Weng" or "Wengh" were documented as early as the 1720s. This further reinforces the potential connection between the surname and place names derived from the Old German word "wengo."

Another notable figure with the surname "Weng" was Johann Friedrich Weng (1734 - 1805), a German lawyer and legal scholar who authored several influential works on civil and criminal law during the late 18th century.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Weng families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Weng 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 1 Wengs recorded in 1881 and an index of 4.37x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 1 4.37x
Lincolnshire 1 32.47x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Great Grimsby in Lincolnshire leads with 1 Wengs recorded in 1881 and an index of 500.00x.

Place Total Index
Great Grimsby 1 500.00x
Liverpool 1 71.94x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Elisa 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Olaf 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 Weng households.

FAQ

Weng surname: questions and answers

How common was the Weng surname in 1881?

In 1881, 2 people were recorded with the Weng surname. That placed it at #33,721 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Weng surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 162 in 2016. That gives Weng a modern rank of #22,512.

What does the Weng surname mean?

A Chinese surname of uncertain meaning, possibly referring to a place name or a musical instrument.

What does the Weng map show?

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