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

Tung, 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 Tung surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Tung in America

Tung is the 7536th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Tung surname appeared 4,411 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 2 people would have the surname Tung.

We can also compare 2010 data for Tung 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 Tung

The surname TUNG originates from China, with roots dating back thousands of years to ancient Chinese civilizations. It is derived from the Chinese word "tong," which means "east" or "eastern," suggesting that the name may have been initially associated with individuals or communities located in the eastern regions of the country.

One of the earliest known references to the surname TUNG can be found in the Baihu Tongyi, a historical text compiled during the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD). The text mentions various individuals bearing the TUNG surname, indicating that the name had already gained prominence by that time.

During the Song Dynasty (960-1279 AD), the TUNG surname was particularly prevalent in the regions of Zhejiang and Jiangsu provinces, where several prominent individuals with this last name made significant contributions to various fields, including literature, philosophy, and government administration.

One notable figure from this era was TUNG Chih-ch'ang (1555-1636), a renowned scholar and philosopher who played a crucial role in reviving the study of Confucian classics during the Ming Dynasty. His works and teachings had a profound impact on the intellectual landscape of his time.

In the 13th century, the TUNG surname gained further recognition with the rise of the TUNG family of merchants and traders. This influential family established a vast trading network spanning across Asia, facilitating the exchange of goods and cultural influences between China and other regions.

Another prominent individual bearing the TUNG surname was TUNG Ch'i-ch'ang (1555-1636), a highly acclaimed painter and calligrapher during the Ming Dynasty. His works are celebrated for their innovative techniques and artistic mastery, and many of his paintings and calligraphic scrolls are preserved in renowned museums and collections worldwide.

During the Qing Dynasty (1644-1912), the TUNG surname continued to hold significance, with several members of the imperial court and government officials bearing this last name. One such figure was TUNG Hsing (1620-1683), a high-ranking official and scholar who served as the Governor of Guangdong and Guangxi provinces.

Throughout history, the TUNG surname has been associated with various place names and older spellings. For instance, the city of Dongyang in Zhejiang Province was historically known as Tunghsiang, reflecting the prevalence of the TUNG surname in that region.

While the TUNG surname has its roots firmly planted in China's rich history, individuals bearing this last name have contributed to numerous fields and have left their mark on societies around the world, solidifying the enduring legacy of this ancient and respected surname.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Tung

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

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

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

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