NameCensus.

UK surname

Yon

A Korean surname derived from the Chinese surname Ren, meaning "benevolence, humanity or kindness."

In the 1881 census there were 8 people recorded with the Yon surname, ranking it #32,581 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 181, ranked #20,955, up from #32,581 in 1881.

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

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Yon is 181 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 2162.5%.

1881 census count

8

Ranked #32,581

Modern count

181

2016, ranked #20,955

Peak year

2016

181 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Yon had 8 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #32,581 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 181 in 2016, ranked #20,955.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 13 in 1851.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established Multi-Ethnic Communities.

Yon surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Yon surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Yon 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 13 #30,970
1881 historical 8 #32,581
1901 historical 1 #34,548
1997 modern 88 #28,611
1998 modern 100 #27,619
1999 modern 102 #27,468
2000 modern 100 #27,695
2001 modern 95 #28,101
2002 modern 100 #27,944
2003 modern 103 #27,234
2004 modern 113 #25,999
2005 modern 118 #25,301
2006 modern 119 #25,413
2007 modern 130 #24,389
2008 modern 143 #23,160
2009 modern 143 #23,686
2010 modern 153 #23,175
2011 modern 159 #22,382
2012 modern 164 #21,883
2013 modern 174 #21,401
2014 modern 180 #21,115
2015 modern 173 #21,542
2016 modern 181 #20,955

Geography

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Where Yons 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 Swindon, Brent, Barnet, Central Bedfordshire and Wiltshire. 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 Swindon 015 Swindon
2 Brent 024 Brent
3 Barnet 024 Barnet
4 Central Bedfordshire 022 Central Bedfordshire
5 Wiltshire 012 Wiltshire

Forenames

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First names often paired with Yon

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Yon

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

Established Multi-Ethnic Communities

Nationally, the Yon surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Established Multi-Ethnic Communities, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Yon household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Parents and young children in this Group are drawn from diverse ethnic backgrounds in broadly similar proportions. Employment is typically in elementary occupations, though workers in professional, intermediate or skilled trades occupations are also present. The residential landscape is dominated by terraced housing, although semi-detached houses and flats are also present. This Group is found in London and in many provincial towns and cities throughout the U.K.

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

The Greater London Mix

Group

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Yon 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

Yon 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

Yon falls in decile 5 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.

5
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Yon 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
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Yon

The surname Yon originated in France in the 12th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old French word "ion," which meant "going" or "traveling." This suggests that the name may have been given to someone who frequently traveled or migrated.

In the early records, the name appeared with various spellings, such as Yon, Yons, Yon, and Youn. One of the earliest recorded instances of the name was found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it was spelled as "Youn."

The Yon family was primarily concentrated in the northern regions of France, particularly in the regions of Normandy and Brittany. Some of the earliest recorded individuals with this surname include Robert Yon, who lived in Rouen, Normandy, in the late 12th century, and Jean Yon, a merchant from Brittany who was mentioned in a document dated 1289.

During the Middle Ages, the name Yon was also associated with several notable figures. One such person was Étienne Yon, a French clergyman who served as the Bishop of Tréguier in Brittany from 1420 to 1439. Another prominent individual was Pierre Yon (1439-1504), a French scholar and theologian who taught at the University of Paris.

In the 16th century, the Yon family spread to other parts of Europe, including England and Scotland. One of the earliest recorded instances of the name in England was William Yon, who was born in Somerset in 1542. In Scotland, the Yon family settled in the Highlands, and one notable member was Sir John Yon (1624-1693), a Scottish soldier who fought in the English Civil War.

Other notable individuals with the surname Yon include Jacques Yon (1663-1718), a French painter known for his landscapes and portraits, and Jean-Claude Yon (1698-1764), a French architect who designed several notable buildings in Paris.

Over the centuries, the Yon family continued to contribute to various fields, including the arts, sciences, and military. However, it is important to note that these are just a few examples, and there may have been many other significant figures with this surname throughout history.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Yon families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Yon 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. Hampshire leads with 4 Yons recorded in 1881 and an index of 22.27x.

County Total Index
Hampshire 4 22.27x
Northumberland 3 23.01x
Middlesex 1 1.14x
Royal Navy 1 96.15x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Newcastle On Tyne in Northumberland leads with 3 Yons recorded in 1881 and an index of 30000.00x.

Place Total Index
Newcastle On Tyne 3 30000.00x
Southampton St Mary 3 265.49x
Millbrook 1 222.22x
Poplar London 1 60.61x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Bertha 1
Emma 1
Heloise 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Chaw 2
Chang 1
Oscar 1
Waw 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 Yon households.

FAQ

Yon surname: questions and answers

How common was the Yon surname in 1881?

In 1881, 8 people were recorded with the Yon surname. That placed it at #32,581 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Yon surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 181 in 2016. That gives Yon a modern rank of #20,955.

What does the Yon surname mean?

A Korean surname derived from the Chinese surname Ren, meaning "benevolence, humanity or kindness."

What does the Yon map show?

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