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

Leong, 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 Leong surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Leong in America

Leong is the 3902nd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Leong surname appeared 9,094 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 3 people would have the surname Leong.

We can also compare 2010 data for Leong 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 Leong

The surname LEONG has its origins in the Chinese language and culture, with its earliest roots traced back to the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD) in China. The name is believed to have originated from the Hokkien Chinese dialect, which was prevalent in the southern coastal regions of China, particularly in the areas of Fujian and Guangdong provinces.

During the Tang Dynasty, the name LEONG was likely derived from a combination of Chinese characters that represented a specific location, occupation, or personal characteristic. It is possible that the name was initially associated with a particular village, town, or region within the Hokkien-speaking areas of China.

Historical records from the Song Dynasty (960-1279 AD) and the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368 AD) indicate the presence of individuals bearing the surname LEONG. However, the earliest known documented mention of the name can be found in a genealogical record from the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 AD), which details the lineage of a family with the surname LEONG in the coastal region of Fujian Province.

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, many Chinese immigrants from the Hokkien-speaking areas of Fujian and Guangdong provinces migrated to various parts of the world, including Southeast Asia, North America, and Europe. This migration played a significant role in the global spread and recognition of the LEONG surname.

One notable individual with the surname LEONG was Leong Hor Khee (1903-1983), a prominent Singaporean philanthropist and businessman who founded the Leong Hok Kin Group, a successful enterprise in the construction and real estate sectors. Another prominent figure was Leong Yew Koh (1925-2010), a Malaysian politician and the first elected governor of Malacca, who served from 1957 to 1959.

In the literary world, Leong Liew Geok (1939-2019) was a renowned Singaporean poet and playwright, known for her contributions to the development of Singaporean literature. Her works explored themes of identity, culture, and the experiences of the Chinese diaspora.

Leong Sze Hian (born 1956) is a Singaporean human rights activist and financial advisor who has been vocal about issues related to free speech and civil liberties in Singapore. His advocacy has brought international attention to human rights concerns in the country.

Leong Ka Tai (1928-2019) was a prominent Malaysian artist and sculptor, renowned for his contributions to the development of modern Malaysian art. His sculptures and installations can be found in public spaces throughout Malaysia, celebrating the country's cultural diversity and heritage.

These examples illustrate the diverse backgrounds and achievements of individuals bearing the surname LEONG, reflecting the global reach and influence of this ancient Chinese name.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Leong

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

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 Leong 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 Leong 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 Leong was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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