NameCensus.

UK surname

Yeung

A Chinese surname meaning "willow tree," often indicating a place of origin or a family's historical association with willows.

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

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Yeung is 1,585 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

1,585

2016, ranked #3,918

Peak year

2016

1,585 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,585 in 2016, ranked #3,918.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 7 in 1891.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Yeung surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Yeung surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Yeung 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
1861 historical 5 #33,418
1891 historical 7 #33,665
1911 historical 1 #34,332
1997 modern 1,026 #5,371
1998 modern 1,097 #5,280
1999 modern 1,173 #5,026
2000 modern 1,190 #4,942
2001 modern 1,179 #4,879
2002 modern 1,257 #4,713
2003 modern 1,264 #4,597
2004 modern 1,301 #4,479
2005 modern 1,324 #4,371
2006 modern 1,371 #4,268
2007 modern 1,401 #4,229
2008 modern 1,398 #4,265
2009 modern 1,475 #4,168
2010 modern 1,561 #4,048
2011 modern 1,532 #4,078
2012 modern 1,504 #4,077
2013 modern 1,574 #3,972
2014 modern 1,578 #3,985
2015 modern 1,554 #4,001
2016 modern 1,585 #3,918

Geography

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Where Yeungs 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, Cambridge, West Berkshire, Preston and South Lakeland. 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 018 Westminster
2 Cambridge 007 Cambridge
3 West Berkshire 021 West Berkshire
4 Preston 012 Preston
5 South Lakeland 004 South Lakeland

Forenames

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First names often paired with Yeung

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

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

The Greater London Mix

Group

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Yeung 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

Yeung 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

Yeung falls in decile 10 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

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

10
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Yeung 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 Yeung, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Yeung

The surname YEUNG has its origins in China, tracing back to the 7th century AD. It is a romanized version of the Cantonese Chinese surname 楊, which means "poplar tree." This name was initially prevalent in the southern regions of China, particularly in the provinces of Guangdong and Guangxi.

The earliest recorded instances of the YEUNG surname can be found in ancient Chinese genealogical records and local histories. One notable mention is in the "Gu Jinshu," a historical text compiled during the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD), which details the lineage of several prominent YEUNG families.

During the Song Dynasty (960-1279 AD), the YEUNG surname gained prominence as several individuals bearing this name held prominent positions in the imperial court. One such individual was YEUNG Shih-ting (1033-1107 AD), a respected scholar and official who served as a Grand Councilor.

In the 13th century, the YEUNG surname spread across China as families migrated to different regions. Some variants of the name emerged, such as Yang, Yong, and Yeong, reflecting regional linguistic variations.

Over the centuries, several notable individuals have carried the YEUNG surname. These include YEUNG Tsz-ki (1673-1749), a renowned painter and calligrpher during the Qing Dynasty; YEUNG Ching-ling (1898-1973), a prominent political figure and the second wife of Sun Yat-sen, the founding father of modern China; and YEUNG Siu-tong (1899-1983), a celebrated painter and art educator.

Other individuals with the YEUNG surname who have left their mark on history include YEUNG Kuo-huan (1905-1981), a celebrated composer and musician, and YEUNG Sik-leung (1916-1996), a influential Hong Kong entrepreneur and philanthropist.

While the YEUNG surname has its roots in China, it has since spread to other parts of the world, particularly among the Chinese diaspora in regions like Southeast Asia, North America, and Europe.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Yeung surname: questions and answers

How common is the Yeung surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,585 in 2016. That gives Yeung a modern rank of #3,918.

What does the Yeung surname mean?

A Chinese surname meaning "willow tree," often indicating a place of origin or a family's historical association with willows.

What does the Yeung map show?

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