Find out how popular the last name Dong is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Dong.

Dong, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Dong surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Dong in America

Dong is the 2879th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Dong surname appeared 12,466 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 4 people would have the surname Dong.

We can also compare 2010 data for Dong to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Dong

The surname Dong has its origins in China, and it is believed to have emerged during the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD). The name is derived from the Chinese word "dong," which means "east" or "eastern." It was likely initially used as a topographic name, referring to people who lived in the eastern regions of China or near the eastern borders of the country.

One of the earliest known references to the Dong surname can be found in the "Tongzhi" or "Comprehensive Treatise," a historical work compiled during the Song Dynasty (960-1279 AD). This work includes records of individuals with the Dong surname, suggesting that the name had already been in use for some time.

In the 13th century, a notable figure named Dong Feng (1268-1346) is recorded as a prominent scholar and official during the Yuan Dynasty. He served as a high-ranking civil servant and is known for his contributions to the development of Neo-Confucianism.

During the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 AD), the Dong surname gained further prominence. One of the most influential individuals with this name was Dong Qichang (1555-1636), a renowned artist, calligrapher, and art theorist. His works and teachings had a significant impact on the development of Chinese painting and calligraphy.

Another notable figure from this period was Dong Sizhang (1570-1625), a general and military strategist who played a crucial role in the defense of China against the invading Manchu forces. His military tactics and leadership were instrumental in several victories against the Manchus.

In the Qing Dynasty (1644-1912 AD), the Dong surname continued to be prominent. Dong Zhongshu (1679-1758) was a highly respected philosopher and scholar known for his contributions to the study of the Confucian classics and his influential writings on ethics and governance.

Dong Qinghu (1844-1904) was a renowned artist and calligrapher who lived during the late Qing Dynasty. His works were highly prized and are considered some of the finest examples of traditional Chinese painting and calligraphy from that era.

While the Dong surname has ancient roots in China, it has also spread to other parts of the world through migration and diaspora communities. However, its origins and historical significance remain closely tied to its Chinese heritage and the various dynasties that shaped the nation's cultural and intellectual landscape.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Dong

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Dong.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Dong was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Dong has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Dong was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Dong, please contact us.

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