Surname Ong - Meaning and Origin
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Ong: What does the surname Ong mean?
The last name Ong is a common defining marker in Southeast Asian and Chinese societies. It is an honorable name of honor and means a “martial man”, one who is strong, skilled, and a leader of men. This name has a history of being associated with the military or ruling elites. It is believed to have originated from the surname of the ruling family of the ancient Chinese state of Wu during the Zhou Dynasty.
In modern times, the name Ong is still highly respected. In Chinese culture, a person named Ong will often be viewed as brave, reliable and a symbol of strength. In addition to martial skills, this name can also reflect a high level of sophistication, intelligence, and wisdom as attributes of the person bearing the surname.
The surname Ong can also be found in the Philippines, Malaysia, and Singapore among other countries. In the Philippines, Ong has a proud heritage that traces back to a long line of merchant sailors, explorers, and military officers. The Ong family is honored for its contributions to Philippine culture, arts, and commerce.
The name Ong has a deep meaning, symbolizing strength, bravery, and a strong sense of personal identity. It is a name of honor that embodies the values and qualities of integrity, loyalty, and commitment to serve one’s community. The legacy of the Ong family is one of proud martial strength and a dedication to excellence.
Order DNA origin analysisOng: Where does the name Ong come from?
The surname Ong is an Asian Chinese name, derived from the Chinese characters (Wang). It can be found in many countries and cultures throughout Asia, including China, Vietnam, Thailand, and the Philippines. In modern times, many people with the surname Ong have spread to western countries, including the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.
In the United States, the surname Ong is most common in California, New York, and New Jersey, with significant concentrations also found in Florida, Illinois, Virginia, and Washington. There are believed to be over 9,000 American citizens with the name Ong. In the United Kingdom, there are over 5,500 individuals with the surname Ong in the 2011 census. Additionally, Ong is the 11th most common Chinese name in the country.
In Canada, the surname Ong is most popular in Ontario and British Columbia. The top cities with the highest population of Ongs are Toronto, Vancouver, and Calgary.
Outside of the United States and Canada, Ong is also popular in Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore. For instance, in Singapore, there are over 7,000 people who have the family name Ong.
Overall, the surname Ong is quite common nowadays, as it is found in various parts of the world. Furthermore, there is an increasing global interconnectivity which has allowed for the spread and business growth of Ongs throughout the world.
Variations of the surname Ong
The surname Ong is an ethnic Chinese surname and is also the 17th most common surname in Singapore, where is mostly comes from Fujian, China. It is also found amongst Chinese people in other countries such as Malaysia and the United States.The same origin variants and spellings of Ong include:
1. Áng is found commonly in the Philippines, which is an American colonization. It is mostly derived from Chinese Fujian Min Nan.
2. Wang is the most commonly used variant of the surname Ong, which is used in Mainland China, Korea, and Viet Nam.
3. Ong is also used in countries like Malaysia and Taiwan.
4. Aw is the variant used most widely in Riau Islands, Indonesia.
5. Ong-u is the variant used extensively in China especially those hailing from the Fujian province.
6. Uyong is also the variant that is mostly used in China and Indonesia.
7. Or is another variant that is commonly used in Fujian province, China.
8. Au is also a variant of the surname Ong, which is found in Southeast Asian countries of Taiwan and Malaysia.
9. Hao is also a variant used in Mainland China, Taiwan and Singapore.
10. Aung is the variant used in Myanmar, which is derived from Chinese and Indian sources.
11. Oei or Oey is the variant used in Dutch-speaking countries, Indonesia, and Malaysia.
The general characteristics of all the variants of Ong are that all posit a unique spelling of the surname but all are related to the same origin. They all suggest some historical or cultural ties between the people that adopted them, be they Chinese, Indonesian or Dutch. They serve as testament to the resilience of a people and their culture in the face of tumultuous historical events.
Famous people with the name Ong
- Niels Ong: Niels Ong is a Singaporean singer-songwriter known for his soulful and passionate take on the folk and pop genres. Emerging in 2020, he has released two EPs and numerous singles that have won critical acclaim.
- Snooky Ong: Snooky Ong is a Filipino television personality and entrepreneur. Having started her career as a Member-Artist of the Philippine-based ABS-CBN Network, she rose to prominence after co-hosting the musical variety show ASAP.
- Peter Ong: Peter Ong is the current Mayor of Singapore, having been appointed in 2012. He is a lawyer by profession and has served as a Member of Parliament from 2006 to 2011.
- Ong Ye Kung: Ong Ye Kung is a Singaporean politician and the current Minister for Education. Having served in a number of ministerial roles since 2015, he is a key figure in the governing People’s Action Party.
- Isabel Ong: Isabel Ong is a Malaysian actress who has starred in several films and television series. Known for her dramatic portrayal of characters, she is widely praised for her natural acting skills.
- Jino Ong: Jino Ong is an accomplished cinematographer from Malaysia who is well-known for his work in the film industry. His most successful projects so far have included the early 2016 feature Gedebe and 2018’s short film Jendela.
- Vain Ong: Vain Ong is an American fashion designer. She is best known as the creative director of the fashion label Wonderland, which she founded in 2017. Drawing inspiration from unique cultural references, she has made a name for herself in the fashion world.
- Justin Ong: Justin Ong is a Singaporean film director. His work, which focuses on articulating interests in intercultural themes, has been featured extensively in the Singaporean and Asian film festivals.
- Felix Ong: Felix Ong is a Singaporean chef and restaurateur. He is a champion for local cooking and has been credited for revitalizing Singaporean cuisine with his modern take on traditional recipes.