Myong last name popularity, history, and meaning

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

Meaning of Myong

A Korean surname said to mean "bright" or "intelligent."

Myong, 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 Myong surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Myong in America

Myong is the 141140th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Myong surname appeared 118 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Myong.

The history of the last name Myong

The surname Myong originates from Korea, with its roots traced back to the 14th century during the Goryeo dynasty. It is believed to have derived from the Korean words "myeong" or "myeong-ga," which translate to "bright" or "clarity." This name was often given to individuals who were perceived as enlightened or wise.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the Myong surname can be found in the Goryeosa, a historical record of the Goryeo dynasty compiled in the 15th century. This document mentions several prominent figures bearing the Myong surname, including Myong Gye-yeong, a renowned scholar and government official who lived in the late 14th century.

During the Joseon dynasty, which succeeded the Goryeo dynasty in the 15th century, the Myong surname gained further recognition. Myong Yun-hwon (1501-1572) was a celebrated poet and calligrapher who served as a high-ranking official under King Jungjong. His works, particularly his poetry, are still studied and revered in Korea today.

In the 17th century, Myong In-hu (1623-1690) was a prominent military leader and strategist who played a crucial role in defending Korea against the Manchu invasions. His tactical prowess and leadership were instrumental in preserving the nation's sovereignty during a time of great turmoil.

Another notable figure bearing the Myong surname was Myong Sang-hun (1870-1935), a pioneering educator and activist who championed the cause of Korean independence during the Japanese colonial period. He founded several schools and organizations dedicated to promoting Korean culture and education, and his legacy continues to inspire generations of Koreans.

Myong Wol-gye (1713-1759) was a renowned scholar and linguist who made significant contributions to the study of the Korean language. His work, titled "Hongmu Jeonggam," is considered one of the most comprehensive and influential dictionaries in Korean linguistic history.

Throughout the centuries, the Myong surname has been associated with various regions and place names across Korea, including Myongchon, Myonggye, and Myongju. While the spelling and pronunciation may have evolved over time, the essence of the name, reflecting brightness and clarity, has remained a consistent theme.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Myong

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

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 Myong was:

Race/Ethnicity Percentage Total Occurrences
Non-Hispanic White Only (S)% (S)
Non-Hispanic Black Only (S)% (S)
Non-Hispanic Asian and Pacific Islander Only 94.07% 111
Non-Hispanic American Indian and Alaskan Native 0.00% 0
Non-Hispanic of Two or More Races (S)% (S)
Hispanic Origin 0.00% 0

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.

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

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

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"Myong last name popularity, history, and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on November 22, 2024. http://namecensus.com/last-names/myong-surname-popularity/.

"Myong last name popularity, history, and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/last-names/myong-surname-popularity/. Accessed 22 November, 2024

Myong last name popularity, history, and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/last-names/myong-surname-popularity/.

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