NameCensus.

UK surname

Yap

A Chinese surname of uncertain origin, possibly referring to an ancient state or place name.

In the 1881 census there were 1 people recorded with the Yap surname, ranking it #34,027 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 646, ranked #8,212, up from #34,027 in 1881.

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

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Yap is 666 in 2013. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 64500.0%.

1881 census count

1

Ranked #34,027

Modern count

646

2016, ranked #8,212

Peak year

2013

666 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Yap had 1 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #34,027 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 646 in 2016, ranked #8,212.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 5 in 1851.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Yap surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Yap surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Yap 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 5 #32,456
1881 historical 1 #34,027
1997 modern 301 #13,492
1998 modern 336 #12,889
1999 modern 352 #12,552
2000 modern 333 #12,999
2001 modern 329 #12,921
2002 modern 360 #12,360
2003 modern 375 #11,808
2004 modern 381 #11,700
2005 modern 408 #11,024
2006 modern 443 #10,369
2007 modern 462 #10,143
2008 modern 495 #9,720
2009 modern 555 #9,103
2010 modern 639 #8,357
2011 modern 633 #8,333
2012 modern 632 #8,256
2013 modern 666 #8,058
2014 modern 652 #8,233
2015 modern 636 #8,338
2016 modern 646 #8,212

Geography

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Where Yaps 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 Westminster, Barnet, Camden and Oxford. 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 Westminster 012 Westminster
2 Barnet 030 Barnet
3 Camden 025 Camden
4 Westminster 013 Westminster
5 Oxford 008 Oxford

Forenames

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First names often paired with Yap

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

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

Central Connected Professionals and Managers

Group

Senior Professionals

Within London, Yap is most associated with areas classed as Senior Professionals, part of Central Connected Professionals and Managers. 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 very central neighbourhoods house residents whose ages are more skewed towards older age cohorts than elsewhere in the Supergroup. Few households have young children. Rates of illness are low. Indian ethnicity is rare compared to the Supergroup mean. Property under occupation is more common, despite the centrality of neighbourhoods, and more residents live in communal establishments than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

Adult residents of these neighbourhoods are typically aged 25 to 44, working full-time in professional, managerial or associate professional occupations. There are few families with dependent children. The predominantly Inner London neighbourhoods have an international character, including many residents born elsewhere in Europe alongside high numbers of individuals identifying as of Chinese ethnicity. Many individuals are never married, childless and/or living alone. Above average numbers of individuals, likely to be full-time students, live in communal establishments. Elsewhere, privately rented flats are the dominant housing type. Residents of these areas are well-qualified, with a significant number holding Level 4 or above qualifications. There is a correspondingly high level of individuals employed full-time in professional, managerial and associated professional or technical occupations. Employing industries are financial, real estate, professional, administration, and, to a lesser degree, transport and communications. Unemployment is uncommon.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Yap 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

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

Meaning and origin of Yap

The surname Yap has its origins in Malaysia and Indonesia. It is believed to have derived from the Malay word "yapak" which means "to spread out" or "to unfurl". The name may have been given to someone who lived near a flat or open area.

In the 15th century, the name Yap appeared in records of the Sultanate of Malacca, a major maritime trading empire in Southeast Asia. The earliest known mention was in a 1412 inscription that listed a court official named Yap Seng Chye.

The Yap surname can also be traced back to the island of Pulau Yap (also known as Yap Island) in the Caroline Islands of the western Pacific Ocean. Historical documents from the 16th century refer to inhabitants of this island using the surname Yap.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the Yap name is found in the "Sejarah Melayu" (Malay Annals), a literary work from the 17th century that chronicles the history of the Malay Sultanate. It mentions a figure named Yap Ah Kong who was a prominent merchant during that era.

In the 19th century, a notable individual with the Yap surname was Yap Ah Loy (1837-1885), a Chinese Kapitan (leader) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia who played a significant role in the development of the city.

Another historically significant person was Yap Raf (1890-1962), a Malay nationalist and politician who advocated for Indonesian independence from Dutch colonial rule.

During the 20th century, Yap Kwan Seng (1900-1996) was a renowned Chinese-Malaysian businessman and philanthropist who established the Yap Kwan Seng Foundation to support education and social welfare initiatives.

In the field of literature, Yap Sau Yin (1916-1984) was a respected Chinese-Malaysian writer and playwright who contributed greatly to the development of modern Malay literature.

Lastly, Yap Kim Hock (1914-2005) was a prominent Malaysian artist and painter known for his watercolor landscapes and depictions of rural life in Southeast Asia.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Yap families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Yap 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 Yaps recorded in 1881 and an index of 10.37x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 1 10.37x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. St George Hanover in Middlesex leads with 1 Yaps recorded in 1881 and an index of 769.23x.

Place Total Index
St George Hanover 1 769.23x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Ann 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 Yap households.

Occupation Count
House Keeper 1

FAQ

Yap surname: questions and answers

How common was the Yap surname in 1881?

In 1881, 1 people were recorded with the Yap surname. That placed it at #34,027 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Yap surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 646 in 2016. That gives Yap a modern rank of #8,212.

What does the Yap surname mean?

A Chinese surname of uncertain origin, possibly referring to an ancient state or place name.

What does the Yap map show?

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