Gong
A Chinese surname referring to a musical instrument, occupation, or physical features like height, appearance, or bearing.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 7,061 Americans carry the last name Gong. That puts it at #5,702 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 2.06 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 48,542 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Gong surname. You will find the Census Bureau frequency data, an ancestry and ethnicity breakdown based on self-reported demographics, the name's meaning and origin where available, and answers to the most common questions people ask about this surname.
Bearers in the US
7.1K
1 in 48,542
Census rank
#5,702
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
2.1
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
6.1K
rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 6,079 bearers of the surname Gong in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 2.06 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 5702nd position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Gong, the largest self-reported group is Asian/Pacific Islander at 88.9%. The next largest groups are White (5.7%) and Two or More Races (3.2%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Gong
The surname GONG is of Chinese origin, with its earliest recorded use dating back to the 6th century AD. It is believed to have originated from the pronunciation of the Chinese character "龚" (gong), which was initially used as a single character surname in various regions of ancient China.
During the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD), the GONG surname was prominently documented in historical records, particularly in regions such as Shaanxi, Henan, and Shandong provinces. It was often associated with scholarly and intellectual pursuits, as many GONG individuals held esteemed positions within the imperial bureaucracy and educational institutions of the time.
One of the earliest notable figures bearing the GONG surname was Gong Sui (596-658 AD), a renowned poet and calligrapher from Shandong province. His literary works and calligraphic styles were highly regarded during the Tang Dynasty and influenced subsequent generations of scholars and artists.
In the 10th century, the GONG surname gained further prominence with the rise of Gong Yu (984-1063 AD), a celebrated military strategist and statesman who served under the Song Dynasty. His military victories and administrative reforms left a lasting impact on the political landscape of the time.
During the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 AD), the GONG surname was also associated with the influential Gong family from Jiangxi province. This family produced several prominent scholars and officials, including Gong Xingzu (1619-1689 AD), a renowned philosopher and essayist whose works explored Confucian ideals and moral principles.
Another notable figure was Gong Zizhen (1792-1841 AD), a celebrated poet and scholar from Sichuan province during the Qing Dynasty. His poetic works and literary critiques were highly regarded, and he was known for his mastery of the traditional Chinese literary styles.
The GONG surname can also be found in historical records from other regions, such as Guangdong, Fujian, and Zhejiang provinces, indicating its widespread distribution throughout ancient China. Over the centuries, the GONG surname has maintained its cultural significance and continues to be a respected name within the Chinese community.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Gong
Among Census respondents with the surname Gong, the largest self-reported group is Asian/Pacific Islander at 88.9%. The next largest groups are White (5.7%) and Two or More Races (3.2%).
The bar chart below shows how Gong bearers described their own race and ethnicity on the 2010 Census form. The Census Bureau groups responses into six broad categories: White, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Two or More Races. When a category has too few respondents for a given surname, the Bureau suppresses the figure to protect individual privacy, which is why some names show fewer than six slices.
Keep in mind that these are self-reported numbers. A person's surname does not determine their race or ethnicity, and the distribution you see here reflects the specific population who happened to carry the Gong surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- Asian and Pacific Islander88.9%
- White5.7%
- Two or more races3.2%
- Hispanic or Latino1.5%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Gong surname changed between Census years? The chart shows bearer count side by side, and the table compares rank, count, and frequency.
Census year comparison
| Metric | 2010 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #5,702 | #5,702 | 0.0% |
| Count | 6,079 | 6,079 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 2.06 | 2.06 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Gong bearers went from 6,079 to 6,079 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #5,702 to #5,702.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Gong
FAQ
Gong surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Gong?
The surname Gong holds position #5,702 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 7,061 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 2.06 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Gong surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Gong, the largest self-reported group is Asian/Pacific Islander at 88.9%. The next largest groups are White (5.7%) and Two or More Races (3.2%). These figures come from the 2010 Census Bureau surname tables, based on how respondents described their own race and ethnicity.
Where does this surname data come from?
All surname statistics on Name Census are drawn from the US Census Bureau's decennial surname frequency tables. These tables list every surname that appeared 100 or more times in the 2010 Census, along with a frequency rate and self-reported demographic breakdown. You can read the full explanation on our methodology page.