Ong (surname)

Ong is a Hokkien romanization of several Chinese surnames: 王 (Wáng in Hanyu Pinyin), 汪 (also Wāng), 黃 (traditional) or 黄 (simplified; Huáng); and 翁 (Weng). Ong or Onge is also a surname of English origin, with earliest known records found in Western Suffolk taxation records from ca. 1280 AD.^[1]

Romanization

Under the Pe̍h-ōe-jī romanization system, 王 but not the other names includes a circumflex over its vowel: Ông. However, this is often omitted in practice.

Distribution

In Singapore, Ong is the fifth-most-common surname among Chinese residents. In the United States, Ong was the 6,682nd most common surname during the 1990 US census and the 4,343rd most common surname during the year 2000 US census.^[2]

Notable Ongs

Augustine Ong, Malaysian scientist, chairman of the International Society for Fat Research (ISF) Ong Beng Hee (b. 1980), Malaysian professional squash player Betty Ong (1956–2001), Chinese-American flight attendant on American Airlines Flight 11, killed in the September 11, 2001, terrorist attack Ong Boon Hua, birth name of Chin Peng, Malaysian Communist Party leader Daniel Ong, Singaporean radio DJ Ong Ewe Hock, Malaysian badminton player Ong Wei Lun, aspiring Singaporean songwriter Glenn Ong, Singaporean radio DJ Han Ong (b. 1968), Filipino author Ong Hock Thye, a Malaysian judge on the Courts of Malaysia. Ong Hok Ham (b. 1933), Indonesian-Chinese historian Ong Iok-tek (1924–1985), Taiwanese scholar and politician John D. Ong (b. 1933), American businessman; CEO, B.F. Goodrich Company 1979-1996, and U.S. Ambassador to Norway 2002-2006. Ong Ka Ting (b. 1956), Malaysian politician Ong Kee Hui, Chinese-Malaysian politician Ong Keng Sen (b. 1963), Singaporean theatre director Ong Keng Yong (b. 1954), Singaporean diplomat Ong Keo (before 1901–1937), Laotian pro-independence rebel Ong Kham, king of Luang Prabang (1713–1723) Ong Khan or Wang Khan (d. 1203), name given to the Kerait ruler Toghrul Ong Kommandam (d. 1936), Laotian pro-independence rebel

Olivia Ong, Singaporean singer Ong Pang Boon, Singaporean politician Ong Poh Lim, a Malaysian badminton player Remy Ong (b. 1978), Singaporean bowler Richard Ong, Malaysian business man, CEO of Hopu Fund Samuel Ong, former deputy director of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) of the Philippines Ong Schan Tchow (1900–1945), well-known Chinese patriot artist Ong Seok Kim (Wang Shujin) (1884-1964) - Malaysian educationist, social worker and philanthropist Ong Soh Khim, Singaporean academic and politician Ong Soo Hin, a Malaysian Chinese businessman and head of a salvaging company in south-east Asia Ong Soon Hock, a badminton player from Malaysia Ong Teck Chin, Singaporean educator Ong Teng Cheong (1936–2002), first directly elected President of Singapore Ong Tiao Kok, better known as Wang Zhaoguo, a Fujian Chinese politician who came to prominence during the era of Deng Xiaoping Walter J. Ong (1912-2003), American Jesuit priest, professor of English literature, cultural and religious historian and philosopher William Armitage Ong (1902-1979), American aviation pioneer and founder of Ong Aircraft Corp. and Ong Airlines

References

1. Ong Family History blog: Where does Ong come from? "" Accessed 12 Aug 2015.
2. US Census Bureau. Op. cit. Public Broadcasting Service. "How Popular Is Your Last Name?" Accessed 6 Apr 2012.