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

Ong, 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 Ong surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Ong in America

Ong is the 3704th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Ong surname appeared 9,584 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 Ong.

We can also compare 2010 data for Ong 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 Ong

The surname ONG originates from Malaysia and has its roots traced back to the 15th century. It is believed to have derived from the Hokkien Chinese word "ong" which means "prosperous" or "flourishing". The name was prominent among the Hokkien Chinese community in the Malaysian states of Penang and Perak.

In ancient Chinese records, the name ONG was found inscribed on stone tablets and scrolls, indicating its long-standing existence. One of the earliest documented references to the name appears in the "Xingshi Hengchao" (姓氏横钞), a comprehensive Chinese genealogical text compiled during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644).

The first recorded bearer of the surname ONG was Ong Tun Perak, a prominent merchant and trader who lived in Penang in the late 18th century. He played a crucial role in establishing trade routes between Malaysia and other parts of Southeast Asia.

Another notable figure was Ong Sum Ping (1857-1918), a successful businessman and philanthropist from Penang. He founded the Ong Teng Cheong School, which remains one of the most prestigious educational institutions in the region.

During the 19th century, the name ONG appeared in several historical documents and records in Malaysia, including land deeds, court proceedings, and business ledgers. The name was also associated with the Ong clan, a powerful and influential family in Penang and the surrounding areas.

In the field of literature, a famous bearer of the name was Ong Tae Hae (1892-1964), a renowned Malaysian poet and writer who contributed significantly to the preservation of Hokkien culture and literature.

Another prominent individual was Ong Keng Sen (1914-1995), a respected statesman and diplomat who served as Malaysia's Ambassador to Thailand and Indonesia during the latter half of the 20th century.

While the surname ONG is most commonly found in Malaysia, it has also spread to other parts of Southeast Asia and beyond due to migration and diaspora. However, its roots and historical significance remain deeply intertwined with the Hokkien Chinese community in Malaysia.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Ong

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

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

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

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