Surname Ng - Meaning and Origin

Discovering My Roots: Harnessing the Power of DNA Analysis to Unravel the History of My Surname 'Ng'

Delving deep into my DNA analysis with iGENEA, I discovered intriguing facets of my family name Ng, tracing back its origin to Southern China's Nguyen dynasty and how migrations and intermarriages in my ancestors’ past painted a rich cultural tapestry.

L. Ng

Ng: What does the surname Ng mean?

The last name Ng, predominantly found among Chinese communities, originated from the Chinese surname Wu, meaning "five" or "military". It is most common in Hong Kong, Taiwan, and southern China, pronounced as "Ng" (rhymes with song) in Cantonese, and "Wu" or "Woo" in Mandarin. However, in the Western world, people often find it hard to pronounce due to its consonant-only spelling. The name Ng carries legacy and traditional values, representing ancestral lineages that date back to historical emperors, and it carries connotations of power and ambition. Over generations, various family branches and migrations have contributed to the different pronunciations and spellings. Although it's a common last name, it bears unique historical significance and cultural identity for bearers. Please note though that interpretations may vary due to significant regional and cultural differences.

Ng: Where does the name Ng come from?

The last name Ng is a very common and popular last name among both Chinese and Vietnamese people. It is one of the most popular last names in many countries across Asia, including China, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Singapore. In the United States, Ng is the 910th most common last name according to the 2019 U.S. census. It is most common in the states of California, New York, Texas, Washington, and Hawaii.

Ng is a very ancient surname originating from China and is believed to have been used by people in the region since the Shang Dynasty (c.1600 BC – c.1046 BC). While the origin of the name is uncertain, it is likely related to a Chinese term that means calm or peace.

Today, Ng is still largely found in regions with a large population of Chinese and Vietnamese people, such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and many countries in South East Asia. The name can also be found in other parts of the world, including Mexico, England, Italy, France, and India.

In short, the Ng surname is very common and is found today in many parts of the world, including the United States, South East Asia, and other countries. It is most commonly associated with Chinese and Vietnamese people and is believed to have originated from ancient China.

Variations of the surname Ng

The surnames Ng, Eng and Ong all have the same etymological origin. The name Ng is relatively common throughout East and Southeast Asia, especially in places such as Hong Kong, Malaysia and Singapore.

The names Ng, Eng and Ong are all variants of a traditional Chinese surname and are almost always interchangeable. In Cantonese, the name Ng is spelled as ‘五’ (Wu) and is pronounced similarly to the English ‘uu.’ In Mandarin, it is spelled as ‘伍’ (Wu) and is pronounced similarly to the English ‘woo.’

The variants of the surname Ng often vary significantly from region to region. In Cantonese, the name is most often pronounced as ‘Ng’ but in Mandarin, it is often pronounced as ‘Wu.’ In Vietnamese it is pronounced as ‘Uong.’ This is because the Vietnamese pronunciation of the surname is equivalent to the ancient Chinese pronunciation.

Variations and spellings to the surname Ng also include Ang, Ngo, Eng and Ong. These surnames are often used interchangeably, especially in countries with a large Chinese population.

The most common original spelling of the Ng surname is ‘伍’ (Wu). This name has been in existence since the Han Dynasty (206BC - 220 AD). Over time, the spelling has been adapted to fit the language of the region. ‘伍’ (Wu) is also written as ‘吳’ (Wu), ‘胡’ (Hu) and ‘黄’ (Huang) in some regions.

In addition, the surname Ng also has various commonly used aliases throughout the world, including Ng, Ngow, Eng, Ong, Wong and Weng.

Overall, the surname Ng, also spelled Eng and Ong, is a very common Chinese surname with a long history and many variants.

Famous people with the name Ng

• Michelle Ng: an American artist known for her public installations throughout the United Sates.
• Jean Ng: former Minister for Education in Singapore.
• James Ng: a Hong-Kong-born Canadian illustrator and political cartoonist.
• Richard Ng: a Chinese-Singaporean actor and film director.
• Jonathan Ng: stage name "Edawn," a South Korean rapper, singer, and songwriter.
• Nathan Ng: a multi-platinum producer from Canada.
• Phyllis Ng: a Singaporean actress and stage actress.
• Pauline Ng: a Hong-Kong-based film director and actor.
• Ricky Hoi-Kwong Ng: a Canadian entrepreneur and investor.
• Jeffrey Ng: a Malaysian-American lawyer and entrepreneur.
• Martin Ng: a Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer.
• Lewis Ng: an Chinese-American television and film actor.
• Paul Ng: a Malaysian entrepreneur and has served in various companies.
• Simon Li Fook Seong Ng: a Hong Kong-Canadian international arbitrator.
• Karina Ng: a Chinese-born actress and singer.

Other surnames

Nguyen