NameCensus.

UK surname

Yi

A Chinese surname meaning "yi" (justice, righteousness, meaning) or referring to a place name.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Kingston upon Thames, Windsor and Maidenhead and Hackney.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Yi is 142 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

142

2016, ranked #24,625

Peak year

2016

142 bearers

Map years

1

2016 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 142 in 2016, ranked #24,625.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Yi surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Yi surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Yi 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
1997 modern 27 #35,016
1998 modern 27 #35,148
1999 modern 30 #34,939
2000 modern 30 #34,885
2001 modern 33 #34,436
2002 modern 34 #34,634
2003 modern 45 #33,803
2004 modern 56 #33,067
2005 modern 60 #32,917
2006 modern 53 #33,854
2007 modern 68 #32,760
2008 modern 76 #32,279
2009 modern 83 #31,950
2010 modern 105 #29,453
2011 modern 105 #29,287
2012 modern 110 #28,514
2013 modern 118 #27,686
2014 modern 127 #26,634
2015 modern 133 #25,729
2016 modern 142 #24,625

Geography

Back to top

Where Yis 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 Kingston upon Thames, Windsor and Maidenhead, Hackney 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 Kingston upon Thames 015 Kingston upon Thames
2 Kingston upon Thames 007 Kingston upon Thames
3 Windsor and Maidenhead 004 Windsor and Maidenhead
4 Hackney 014 Hackney
5 Birmingham 050 Birmingham

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Yi

These lists show first names that appear often with the Yi surname in historical and recent records.

Historical female names

No Forenames Found

Historical male names

No Forenames Found

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Yi

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

Yi 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

Yi falls in decile 3 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.

3
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Yi

Yi is a Chinese surname that originated from China. The name can be traced back to the Shang Dynasty, which ruled from around 1600 BC to 1046 BC. It was originally a clan name derived from the ancient state of Yi, located in present-day Shandong Province.

The name Yi has been associated with several notable figures throughout Chinese history. One of the earliest recorded instances is Yi Yin, a wise minister who served under the Shang Dynasty ruler Tang of Shang in the 16th century BC. Another prominent figure was Yi Zhi, a renowned scholar and philosopher during the Spring and Autumn period (770-476 BC).

During the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD), the name Yi was particularly prevalent among the aristocracy and literary circles. Yi Xing, a renowned Buddhist monk, mathematician, and astronomer, lived from 683 to 727 AD and made significant contributions to the development of Chinese astronomy and calendar systems.

In the realm of literature, Yi Jingming, a Tang Dynasty poet, was known for his innovative and influential style. He lived from 766 to 828 AD and was part of the renowned literary circle known as the "Eight Immortal Poets of the Tang Dynasty."

Moving forward to the Song Dynasty (960-1279 AD), Yi Longji, also known as Emperor Taizu of Song, was the founder of the dynasty. He reigned from 960 to 976 AD and played a pivotal role in reunifying China after a period of political fragmentation.

Throughout the centuries, the Yi surname has been associated with various regions in China, particularly in the provinces of Shandong, Henan, and Hebei. The name has also appeared in numerous historical records, including local genealogies, imperial archives, and literary works, further attesting to its long-standing presence in Chinese cultural and historical narratives.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Yi surname: questions and answers

How common is the Yi surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 142 in 2016. That gives Yi a modern rank of #24,625.

What does the Yi surname mean?

A Chinese surname meaning "yi" (justice, righteousness, meaning) or referring to a place name.

What does the Yi map show?

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