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

Yoong, 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 Yoong surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Yoong in America

Yoong is the 147253rd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Yoong surname appeared 112 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 Yoong.

We can also compare 2010 data for Yoong 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 Yoong

The surname Yoong is believed to have its origins in East Asia, with strong ties to Chinese and Malaysian cultures. The name Yoong is most likely derived from the Chinese name Yang, pronounced as "Yang" or "Yong," which translates to "poplar," a type of tree, or "light" and "sun." The name has roots that trace back to ancient China, particularly during the Zhou dynasty around the 11th century BC. Throughout history, variations of the name have appeared in Mandarin, Cantonese, and other regional dialects in China.

The Yoong surname is thought to have migrated to Southeast Asia, particularly Malaysia, during the Chinese diaspora, which occurred during the periods of economic and social upheaval in China, such as the Han dynasty (206 BC–220 AD) and the Ming dynasty (1368–1644). Historical records in Malaysia show the presence of Chinese immigrants, and many Chinese Malaysians adopted local pronunciations and spellings of their surnames, leading to the variation "Yoong."

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Yoong in Malaysia dates back to the late 19th century, in colonial records mentioning a merchant named Yoong Choon. Yoong Choon was known for his contributions to the local economy and community in Penang. Another historical figure bearing the surname is Yoong Swee. Born in 1901, Yoong Swee was a prominent rubber plantation owner and philanthropist in the state of Perak during the early 20th century. His contributions to healthcare and education helped shape the local society.

In China, the name Yang (Yoong) appears frequently in ancient texts and documents. One noteworthy individual is Yang Jian, born in 541 AD, who later became Emperor Wen of the Sui dynasty. He played a critical role in unifying China after the prolonged period of division during the Northern and Southern dynasties. Although his surname is more commonly spelled as Yang, variations like Yoong emerged as the name spread and evolved.

Other notable individuals with the surname Yoong include Alex Yoong, born in 1976, a Malaysian race car driver who prominently competed in Formula One. His career highlights brought significant recognition to the surname in international motor sports. Another individual is Yoong Pak, a Taiwanese scholar and writer in the mid-20th century who contributed extensive research in the field of linguistics and traditional Chinese poetry. Born in 1925, Yoong Pak's works are still referenced in academic circles.

A further historical mention is Yoong Toh, a Chinese-Malaysian politician active in the early 20th century. He was involved in the establishment of policies that supported the integration of Chinese communities in Malaysia while preserving their cultural heritage. His influence extended to the educational reforms that benefited many Chinese Malaysian students.

Throughout its history, the surname Yoong demonstrates a rich cultural tapestry weaving through Chinese and Southeast Asian histories. Originating as Yang or Yong, the name has adapted to different linguistic and cultural environments, resulting in the unique and recognizable surname Yoong. Its bearers have contributed significantly to various fields, ensuring that the name continues to hold historical relevance across generations.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Yoong

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

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

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

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