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

Wun, 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 Wun surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Wun in America

Wun is the 67126th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Wun surname appeared 294 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 Wun.

We can also compare 2010 data for Wun 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 Wun

The surname Wun is most commonly associated with Chinese heritage. Originating from China, it is likely derived from the Chinese characters 温 (Wēn) or 闻 (Wén), each carrying different meanings. The character 温 translates to "warm" or "gentle," while 闻 means "to hear" or "to smell." Both characters can trace their origins back to ancient China, making the name deeply embedded in Chinese culture and history.

Wun may have roots in multiple regions of China, particularly in areas where these characters were historically prevalent. This includes regions like Guangdong and Fujian provinces, where Mandarin and Cantonese dialects would have subtle variations in pronunciation and spelling. The pronunciation "Wēn" in Mandarin might have evolved into "Wun" in Cantonese or other regional dialects.

The earliest known records of the surname can be traced back to ancient manuscripts and genealogical records. One such early record is the "Book of Han" (Han Shu), completed around 111 AD, which mentions notable individuals bearing the character 温. However, records specifically using the Romanized spelling “Wun” are less frequent, owing to the variations in Romanization systems like Wade-Giles and Pinyin over centuries.

In historical texts, mentions of the surname Wun include Wun Yan, an influential scholar who lived during the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD). His contributions to literature and his compiled works are significant resources for understanding Tang-era culture and politics. Another notable historical figure is Wun Chi, a military strategist in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 AD) known for his strategic prowess in safeguarding the empire’s borders.

During the Qing Dynasty (1644-1912 AD), Wun Zhi was a prominent physician, whose medical texts and contributions to traditional Chinese medicine have been well-documented. His works continue to be referenced in studies of ancient Chinese medical practices. In more recent historical contexts, Wun Tai, a merchant and philanthropist from the late 19th century, made significant contributions to the trade routes between China and Southeast Asia, aiding in the economic development of the region.

By tracing through historical figures and documents, it becomes apparent that the surname Wun holds a diverse and rich heritage. From academics and doctors to military figures and merchants, those with the surname have made significant contributions that reflect the evolving history of China. The spellings and records such as 温 and 闻 and the various Romanization forms over the centuries attest to the name's adaptability and historical significance.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Wun

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

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

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

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