NameCensus.

UK surname

Wong

A Chinese occupational surname referring to someone who does business or is a merchant or seller.

In the 1881 census there were 2 people recorded with the Wong surname, ranking it #33,721 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 12,963, ranked #498, 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, Cambridge and Manchester.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Wong is 12,963 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 648050.0%.

1881 census count

2

Ranked #33,721

Modern count

12,963

2016, ranked #498

Peak year

2016

12,963 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Wong had 2 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #33,721 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 12,963 in 2016, ranked #498.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 43 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Wong surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Wong surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Wong 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 2 #33,133
1861 historical 15 #31,942
1881 historical 2 #33,721
1891 historical 3 #34,257
1901 historical 2 #34,263
1911 historical 43 #28,581
1997 modern 8,407 #760
1998 modern 8,909 #736
1999 modern 9,291 #715
2000 modern 9,360 #700
2001 modern 9,307 #688
2002 modern 10,010 #647
2003 modern 10,077 #626
2004 modern 10,316 #609
2005 modern 10,611 #583
2006 modern 10,809 #573
2007 modern 11,236 #551
2008 modern 11,349 #553
2009 modern 11,663 #553
2010 modern 12,334 #536
2011 modern 12,238 #535
2012 modern 12,379 #511
2013 modern 12,874 #500
2014 modern 12,893 #507
2015 modern 12,830 #502
2016 modern 12,963 #498

Geography

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Where Wongs 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, Cambridge, Manchester, Coventry and Birmingham. 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 025 Camden
2 Cambridge 007 Cambridge
3 Manchester 055 Manchester
4 Coventry 042 Coventry
5 Birmingham 079 Birmingham

Forenames

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First names often paired with Wong

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

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

Social Rented Sector Families with Children

Group

Social Rented Sector Pockets

Within London, Wong 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

Wong 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

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

Meaning and origin of Wong

The surname Wong has its origins in China, where it can be traced back to the 6th century. It is derived from the Cantonese word "wong," which means "king" or "yellow." The name was initially used to denote a person's status or physical appearance.

In ancient Chinese records, the name Wong appears in various forms, such as Huang, Hwang, and Wung. These variations were due to the different dialects and regional pronunciations across China. The name was particularly prevalent in the southern provinces of Guangdong and Fujian.

One of the earliest documented instances of the name Wong can be found in the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD) records. During this period, a scholar named Wong Xuan (685-762 AD) gained recognition for his contributions to Confucian philosophy and literature.

As the Chinese empire expanded and trade routes developed, the Wong surname spread to other parts of Asia. In the 15th century, a prominent figure named Wong Hung (1441-1499) became a successful merchant and established trade connections between China and Southeast Asia.

During the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 AD), the name Wong was also associated with several notable military leaders. Wong Cheng (1522-1590) was a renowned general who played a crucial role in suppressing rebellions and defending the empire's borders.

As Chinese immigration increased in the 19th and 20th centuries, the Wong surname became more widespread globally. One of the earliest recorded Wongs in the United States was Wong Aloy (1829-1904), a merchant who settled in San Francisco and helped establish the first Chinese community in the city.

In modern times, the Wong surname has been associated with various influential figures across different fields. Some notable examples include:

1. Wong Kar-wai (born 1958), a renowned Hong Kong film director known for his visually stunning films like "In the Mood for Love" and "Chungking Express." 2. Wong Shun Leung (1936-1997), a famous Hong Kong martial artist and actor who starred in numerous kung fu movies. 3. Wong Jing (born 1958), a prolific Hong Kong film producer, director, and screenwriter known for his comedic and action films. 4. Wong Fei Hung (1847-1924), a famous Chinese martial artist and physician who became a folk hero and inspired numerous films and TV series. 5. Wong Kim Ark (1873-1925), a Chinese-American cook whose legal case, United States v. Wong Kim Ark, established the principle of birthright citizenship in the United States.

While the surname Wong has its roots in China, it has now become a global name, representing the rich cultural heritage and contributions of individuals from diverse backgrounds.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Wong families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Wong 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. Middlesex leads with 1 Wongs recorded in 1881 and an index of 5.19x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 1 5.19x
Norfolk 1 33.78x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. St Dunstan In West in Middlesex leads with 1 Wongs recorded in 1881 and an index of 0.00x.

Place Total Index
St Dunstan In West 1 0.00x
West Dereham 1 0.00x

Top female names

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

Name Count
(Mrs) 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Frederick 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 Wong households.

Occupation Count
Pawnbrokers Ass 1

FAQ

Wong surname: questions and answers

How common was the Wong surname in 1881?

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

How common is the Wong surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 12,963 in 2016. That gives Wong a modern rank of #498.

What does the Wong surname mean?

A Chinese occupational surname referring to someone who does business or is a merchant or seller.

What does the Wong map show?

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