NameCensus.

UK surname

Yoon

A Korean surname derived from the Chinese character meaning "allow" or "consent."

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

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Yoon is 103 in 2015. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

103

2016, ranked #30,515

Peak year

2015

103 bearers

Map years

1

2016 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 103 in 2016, ranked #30,515.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 22 in 1891.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Yoon surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Yoon surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Yoon 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 4 #33,628
1891 historical 22 #32,449
1901 historical 2 #34,263
1997 modern 23 #35,484
1998 modern 25 #35,365
1999 modern 25 #35,413
2000 modern 20 #35,915
2001 modern 21 #35,646
2002 modern 29 #35,030
2003 modern 41 #34,113
2004 modern 41 #34,306
2005 modern 55 #33,349
2006 modern 54 #33,780
2007 modern 64 #33,145
2008 modern 66 #33,217
2009 modern 72 #33,021
2010 modern 84 #32,289
2011 modern 78 #32,819
2012 modern 89 #31,934
2013 modern 91 #32,020
2014 modern 102 #30,714
2015 modern 103 #30,444
2016 modern 103 #30,515

Geography

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Where Yoons 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 Barnet, Kingston upon Thames, Merton, Camden and Croydon. 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 Barnet 027 Barnet
2 Kingston upon Thames 007 Kingston upon Thames
3 Merton 020 Merton
4 Camden 025 Camden
5 Croydon 029 Croydon

Forenames

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First names often paired with Yoon

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

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

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

Professional Periphery

Within London, Yoon is most associated with areas classed as Professional Periphery, part of Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs. 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 neighbourhoods predominantly house residents aged 45+, with many aged 85+. Most employed residents work in senior roles, and relatively few work in unskilled jobs. Terraced housing is comparatively rare, but communal living is more common. More residents identify as of Indian ethnicity and more affiliate with non-Christian religions. Disability levels are below the Supergroup average.

Wider London pattern

The age distribution of these neighbourhoods is skewed towards the middle-aged and old, although few residents live alone or in communal establishments and numbers of dependent children are around average. Owner occupation is the norm, as is residence in detached or semi-detached houses. Residential densities are low and many households have spare rooms. Most residents were born in the UK and, aside from some identifying as members of Chinese or Indian ethnicities, identify as White. Mixed ethnicity households are rare. Incidence of married couples is higher than average and few individuals have never been married. A large proportion of individuals still in employment work in administrative and secretarial occupations, or in the construction industry. Few residents are students, and many households own more than one car.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Yoon 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

Yoon falls in decile 9 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.

9
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Yoon

The surname Yoon has its origins in Korea, where it can be traced back to the early Goryeo period (918-1392 CE). The name is derived from the Korean word "yun," which means "cloud" or "mist." This suggests that the name may have initially been given to someone who lived in a mountainous or misty area.

In ancient Korean records, the earliest known mention of the surname Yoon dates back to the 12th century. One notable figure bearing this name was Yoon Gwan (1012-1073), a renowned scholar and poet during the Goryeo Dynasty. His literary works are still studied and admired in Korea today.

During the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1897), the Yoon family was among the prominent clans in the Gyeongsang region of southeastern Korea. They produced several notable scholars, officials, and military leaders. One of the most famous was Yoon Heung-ro (1617-1680), a respected Confucian scholar and philosopher who played a significant role in the development of Korean Neo-Confucianism.

In the 19th century, Yoon Chi-ho (1865-1945) was a prominent figure in the Korean independence movement against Japanese colonial rule. He was an educator, writer, and activist who advocated for Korea's sovereignty and modernization.

Another prominent individual with the surname Yoon was Yoon Byung-se (1919-2003), a renowned South Korean novelist and literary critic. His works explored themes of identity, modernity, and the human condition, earning him widespread acclaim and numerous literary awards.

Yoon Suk-heun (1946-2021) was a celebrated South Korean actor and filmmaker who gained international recognition for his roles in films like "Oldboy" and "The President's Last Bang." He was widely regarded as one of the greatest actors in Korean cinema.

The surname Yoon has also been associated with various place names in Korea, such as Yoon-ri (a village in North Gyeongsang Province) and Yoon-cheon (a county in South Chungcheong Province). These place names likely originated from the presence of Yoon clans in those areas.

Overall, the surname Yoon has a rich history and cultural significance in Korea, with connections to literature, philosophy, politics, and the arts. Its origins can be traced back to the Goryeo period, and it has been borne by numerous notable figures throughout Korean history.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Yoon surname: questions and answers

How common is the Yoon surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 103 in 2016. That gives Yoon a modern rank of #30,515.

What does the Yoon surname mean?

A Korean surname derived from the Chinese character meaning "allow" or "consent."

What does the Yoon map show?

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