The meaning of Yuen
Chinese: 1. Cantonese or alternative Mandarin form of the surnames 袁, 元, 苑, 原 and 源, see Yuan 1–5. 2. Cantonese form of the surname 阮, see Ruan 3. Some characteristic forenames: Chinese Kam, Wing, Wai, Cheuk, Chi, Chun, Kwok, Kin, Mei, Chi Keung, Choi, Jin.
Dictionary of American Family Names, 2nd edition, © Oxford University Press, 2022.
How common is the last name Yuen in the United States?
The surname Yuen has seen a slight increase in popularity according to data from the Decennial U.S. Census. In 2000, the surname was ranked 4,639th in the United States and by 2010 it had risen to 4,614th, a change of 0.54%. The total count of individuals with this surname also increased from 6,990 in 2000 to 7,688 in 2010, marking an increase of nearly 10%. The proportion per 100,000 people changed marginally from 2.59 to 2.61 during the same period.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #4,639 | #4,614 | 0.54% |
| Count | 6,990 | 7,688 | 9.99% |
| Proportion per 100k | 2.59 | 2.61 | 0.77% |
Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Yuen
When considering the ethnic identity associated with the Yuen surname, the Decennial U.S. Census data reveals that majority identify as Asian/Pacific Islander, though this number decreased slightly from 89.41% in 2000 to 87.12% in 2010. The percentage of those identifying with two or more races saw an increase of over 25%, moving from 4.41% in 2000 to 5.53% in 2010. Meanwhile, those identifying as White also saw an increase from 3.48% to 4.11%. The Hispanic representation increased by a significant 30.43%, albeit from a smaller base of 2.3%. Black, American Indian and Alaskan Native representation remained at zero.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 89.41% | 87.12% | -2.56% |
| Two or More Races | 4.41% | 5.53% | 25.4% |
| White | 3.48% | 4.11% | 18.1% |
| Hispanic | 2.3% | 3% | 30.43% |
| Black | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| American Indian and Alaskan Native | 0% | 0% | 0% |
Yuen ancestry composition
23andMe computes an ancestry breakdown for each customer. People may have ancestry from just one population or they may have ancestry from several populations. The most commonly-observed ancestry found in people with the surname Yuen is Chinese, which comprises 70.9% of all ancestry found in people with the surname. The next two most common ancestries are Chinese Dai (7.4%) and Vietnamese (4.2%). Additional ancestries include British & Irish, Japanese, French & German, Filipino & Austronesian, and Korean.
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| ANCESTRY BREAKDOWN | COMPOSITION |
|---|---|
| Chinese | 70.9% |
| Chinese Dai | 7.4% |
| Vietnamese | 4.2% |
| Other | 17.5% |
Possible origins of the surname Yuen
Your DNA provides clues about where your recent ancestors may have lived. Having many distant relatives in the same location suggests that you may all share common ancestry there. Locations with many distant relatives can also be places where people have migrated recently, such as large cities. If a large number of individuals who share your surname have distant relatives in a specific area, it could indicate a connection between your surname and that location, stemming from either recent ancestral ties or migration.
Based on 23andMe data, people with last name Yuen have recent ancestry locations all within China.
| RECENT ANCESTRY Location | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Guangdong, China | 85.90% |
| Shanghai, China | 82.10% |
| Jiangsu, China | 81.50% |
| Zhejiang, China | 81.50% |
| Shandong, China | 81.00% |
What Yuen haplogroups can tell you
Haplogroups are genetic population groups that share a common ancestor on either your paternal or maternal line. These paternal and maternal haplogroups shed light on your genetic ancestry and help tell the story of your family.
The top paternal haplogroup of people with the surname Yuen is O-F11, which is predominantly found among people with East Asian & Indigenous American ancestry. Haplogroup O-F11 is descended from haplogroup O-M1359. Other common haplogroups include O-Page124 and O-F838, which are predominantly found among people with East Asian & Indigenous American and East Asian & Indigenous American ancestry. Other surnames with similar common haplogroups are: Gong, Lai, Ho, Chow, Tang, Xu, Wu, Chang, Liang, He.
The most common maternal haplogroups of people with Yuen surname are: B4, M7b, F1a1. These most commonly trace back to individuals of East Asian & Indigenous American and European ancestry.
Paternal Haplogroup Origins O-M1359
Your paternal lineage may be linked to many of the Massim groups of Papua New Guinea
Haplogroup O2a is prevalent among Massim ethnic groups, including the populations of Airara, Nomanby, the eastern tip of the mainland, the Trobriand Islands, Gawa, Woodlark, the Laughland Islands, and western Calvados. While Papua New Guinea has been inhabited for over 50,000 years, the Massim may have arrived in the last 2,000 years. Today, these populations remain connected through a traditional island trading system called the Kula Ring. Under this exchange system, residents ensure that goods that are only available on some islands, but that are vitally needed in other islands, are shared among the island populations. Only Massim men participate in the Kula exchange system, and it is common for men to be away from home for months at a time when trading with men from other islands.
Your maternal lineage may be linked to the Han
Members of haplogroups B4 and B5 are quite frequent in both northern and southern Han Chinese populations. The Han people, who all share the same language and similar cultural practices, are the largest ethnic group in the world, with about 1.2 billion people. Historical evidence shows that Han people are descendants of the ancient Huaxia tribes that come from northern China, centered in Zhongyuan, China's Central Plain. The spread of Han people, language and culture from northern to southern China only occurred in the last 2,000 years, and was likely driven by warfare and famine in the north.
What do people with the surname Yuen have in common?
Spoiler alert: it's complicated. People with the same last name are usually no more genetically similar than a randomly sampled group of people from the same population. That said, people with the same surname are more likely to have similar ancestries than randomly sampled individuals. The reason is the tendency of people with similar cultural or geographical backgrounds to preferentially mate with one another. That's why people who share a surname may be more likely to share traits and tendencies in common than people within the general population. Check out the percentages below to see the prevalences of tastes, habits, and traits of people with your surname compared with prevalences among 23andMe users.
Preferences
Chocolate Ice Cream
Prefers chocolate flavored ice cream over other flavors.
"Yuen" Surname 37.7%
23andMe Users 41.3%
Vanilla Ice Cream
Prefers vanilla flavored ice cream over other flavors.
"Yuen" Surname 32.1%
23andMe Users 36.7%
Like Very Cold Weather
Enjoys weather that is colder than 40 degrees Farenheit
"Yuen" Surname 31.6%
23andMe Users 24.8%
Stawberry Ice Cream
Prefers strawberry flavored ice cream over other flavors.
"Yuen" Surname 18.9%
23andMe Users 14.7%
Chocolate Ice Cream
Prefers chocolate flavored ice cream over other flavors.
"Yuen" Surname 37.7%
23andMe Users 41.3%
Vanilla Ice Cream
Prefers vanilla flavored ice cream over other flavors.
"Yuen" Surname 32.1%
23andMe Users 36.7%
Like Very Cold Weather
Enjoys weather that is colder than 40 degrees Farenheit
"Yuen" Surname 31.6%
23andMe Users 24.8%
Stawberry Ice Cream
Prefers strawberry flavored ice cream over other flavors.
"Yuen" Surname 18.9%
23andMe Users 14.7%
Chocolate Ice Cream
Prefers chocolate flavored ice cream over other flavors.
"Yuen" Surname 37.7%
23andMe Users 41.3%
Vanilla Ice Cream
Prefers vanilla flavored ice cream over other flavors.
"Yuen" Surname 32.1%
23andMe Users 36.7%
Like Very Cold Weather
Enjoys weather that is colder than 40 degrees Farenheit
"Yuen" Surname 31.6%
23andMe Users 24.8%
Stawberry Ice Cream
Prefers strawberry flavored ice cream over other flavors.
"Yuen" Surname 18.9%
23andMe Users 14.7%
Traits
Misophonia
When sounds made by others, like the sound of chewing or yawning, provoke strong emotional reactions in an individual.
"Yuen" Surname 20.8%
23andMe Users 27.9%
Cheek Dimples
Small indentations that appear on the cheeks when a person smiles.
"Yuen" Surname 23.4%
23andMe Users 37.6%
Acrophobia
An intense fear of heights that goes beyond the concern many people feel around significant heights.
"Yuen" Surname 21.9%
23andMe Users 16.7%
Misophonia
When sounds made by others, like the sound of chewing or yawning, provoke strong emotional reactions in an individual.
"Yuen" Surname 20.8%
23andMe Users 27.9%
Cheek Dimples
Small indentations that appear on the cheeks when a person smiles.
"Yuen" Surname 23.4%
23andMe Users 37.6%
Acrophobia
An intense fear of heights that goes beyond the concern many people feel around significant heights.
"Yuen" Surname 21.9%
23andMe Users 16.7%
Misophonia
When sounds made by others, like the sound of chewing or yawning, provoke strong emotional reactions in an individual.
"Yuen" Surname 20.8%
23andMe Users 27.9%
Cheek Dimples
Small indentations that appear on the cheeks when a person smiles.
"Yuen" Surname 23.4%
23andMe Users 37.6%
Acrophobia
An intense fear of heights that goes beyond the concern many people feel around significant heights.
"Yuen" Surname 21.9%
23andMe Users 16.7%
Habits
Sugary Drink
Drinks one or more sugary drinks per day.
"Yuen" Surname 23.3%
23andMe Users 21.1%
Vitamin Use
Takes vitamins on a regular basis.
"Yuen" Surname 47.1%
23andMe Users 45.5%
Kinesthetic Learner
Preferring to learn and process information through hands-on activities, practical experiences, and active engagement.
"Yuen" Surname 50.0%
23andMe Users 61.5%
Tea Consumption
A preference for drinking caffeinated tea in a particular week.
"Yuen" Surname 50.0%
23andMe Users 49.2%
Learn Language As Adult
Learning a new language through formal or informal means after 18 years of age.
"Yuen" Surname 33.3%
23andMe Users 25.8%
Sugary Drink
Drinks one or more sugary drinks per day.
"Yuen" Surname 23.3%
23andMe Users 21.1%
Vitamin Use
Takes vitamins on a regular basis.
"Yuen" Surname 47.1%
23andMe Users 45.5%
Kinesthetic Learner
Preferring to learn and process information through hands-on activities, practical experiences, and active engagement.
"Yuen" Surname 50.0%
23andMe Users 61.5%
Tea Consumption
A preference for drinking caffeinated tea in a particular week.
"Yuen" Surname 50.0%
23andMe Users 49.2%
Learn Language As Adult
Learning a new language through formal or informal means after 18 years of age.
"Yuen" Surname 33.3%
23andMe Users 25.8%
Sugary Drink
Drinks one or more sugary drinks per day.
"Yuen" Surname 23.3%
23andMe Users 21.1%
Vitamin Use
Takes vitamins on a regular basis.
"Yuen" Surname 47.1%
23andMe Users 45.5%
Kinesthetic Learner
Preferring to learn and process information through hands-on activities, practical experiences, and active engagement.
"Yuen" Surname 50.0%
23andMe Users 61.5%
Tea Consumption
A preference for drinking caffeinated tea in a particular week.
"Yuen" Surname 50.0%
23andMe Users 49.2%
Learn Language As Adult
Learning a new language through formal or informal means after 18 years of age.
"Yuen" Surname 33.3%
23andMe Users 25.8%
Wellness
Migraine
A severe headache characterized by intense pain, sensitivity to light and sound, and often accompanied by nausea and vomiting.
"Yuen" Surname 6.8%
23andMe Users 16.4%
Cat Allergy
An allergic reaction to cats, characterized by symptoms such as sneezing, itching, and difficulty breathing.
"Yuen" Surname 54.5%
23andMe Users 36.7%
Chicken Pox
A highly contagious viral infection characterized by the development of itchy, fluid-filled blisters on the skin.
"Yuen" Surname 54.5%
23andMe Users 91.1%
Migraine
A severe headache characterized by intense pain, sensitivity to light and sound, and often accompanied by nausea and vomiting.
"Yuen" Surname 6.8%
23andMe Users 16.4%
Cat Allergy
An allergic reaction to cats, characterized by symptoms such as sneezing, itching, and difficulty breathing.
"Yuen" Surname 54.5%
23andMe Users 36.7%
Chicken Pox
A highly contagious viral infection characterized by the development of itchy, fluid-filled blisters on the skin.
"Yuen" Surname 54.5%
23andMe Users 91.1%
Migraine
A severe headache characterized by intense pain, sensitivity to light and sound, and often accompanied by nausea and vomiting.
"Yuen" Surname 6.8%
23andMe Users 16.4%
Cat Allergy
An allergic reaction to cats, characterized by symptoms such as sneezing, itching, and difficulty breathing.
"Yuen" Surname 54.5%
23andMe Users 36.7%
Chicken Pox
A highly contagious viral infection characterized by the development of itchy, fluid-filled blisters on the skin.
"Yuen" Surname 54.5%
23andMe Users 91.1%
Are health conditions linked to the last name Yuen?
The short answer is that, if there is an association between surname and health, it's usually more about your ancestry than your name. Individuals with a given surname are no more genetically similar than the general population but often have similar ancestries. The populations of people associated with those shared ancestries often have sets of genetic variations, also known as alleles, in common. Some of those alleles are associated with a greater likelihood of developing certain diseases.
Disease variant frequency by ancestry
Disease allele frequencies in populations associated with the surname Yuen are shown below. Important Note: not everyone with a disease allele will develop these health condition
Late-Onset Alzheimer's Disease
ε4 variant
Alzheimer's disease is characterized by memory loss, cognitive decline, and personality changes. Late-onset Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of Alzheimer's disease, developing after age 65. Many factors, including genetics, can influence a person's chances of developing the condition. The 23andMe Health + Ancestry DNA test includes the most common genetic variant associated with late-onset Alzheimer's disease: the ε4 variant in the APOE gene. Learn more about Late-Onset Alzheimer's Disease
Chinese 18.2%
23andMe Users 25.5%
Celiac Disease
HLA-DQ2.5 variant
Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition in which the consumption of gluten (found in wheat, barley, and rye) can result in damage to the small intestine. Celiac disease can lead to both digestive and non-digestive problems. The 23andMe Health + Ancestry DNA test includes two common variants associated with an increased risk of developing this condition. Learn more about Celiac Disease
Chinese 14.9%
23andMe Users 21.4%
Celiac Disease
HLA-DQ8 variant
Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition in which the consumption of gluten (found in wheat, barley, and rye) can result in damage to the small intestine. Celiac disease can lead to both digestive and non-digestive problems. The 23andMe Health + Ancestry DNA test includes two common variants associated with an increased risk of developing this condition. Learn more about Celiac Disease
Chinese 14.0%
23andMe Users 20.0%
Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Y402H variant
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the most common cause of irreversible vision loss among older adults. The disease results in damage to the central part of the retina (the macula), impairing vision needed for reading, driving, or even recognizing faces. The 23andMe Health + Ancestry DNA test includes the two most common variants associated with an increased risk of developing the condition: the Y402H variant in the CFH gene and the A69S variant in the ARMS2 gene. Learn more about Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Chinese 8.9%
23andMe Users 57.2%
Hereditary Hemochromatosis (HFE-Related)
H63D variant
Hereditary hemochromatosis is a genetic condition characterized by absorption of too much dietary iron. This may lead to iron overload, which can cause damage to the joints and certain organs, such as the liver, skin, heart, and pancreas. The 23andMe Health + Ancestry DNA test includes the two most common variants linked to this condition. Learn more about Hereditary Hemochromatosis (HFE-Related)
Chinese 6.1%
23andMe Users 25.0%
Late-Onset Alzheimer's Disease
ε4 variant
Alzheimer's disease is characterized by memory loss, cognitive decline, and personality changes. Late-onset Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of Alzheimer's disease, developing after age 65. Many factors, including genetics, can influence a person's chances of developing the condition. The 23andMe Health + Ancestry DNA test includes the most common genetic variant associated with late-onset Alzheimer's disease: the ε4 variant in the APOE gene. Learn more about Late-Onset Alzheimer's Disease
Chinese 18.2%
23andMe Users 25.5%
Celiac Disease
HLA-DQ2.5 variant
Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition in which the consumption of gluten (found in wheat, barley, and rye) can result in damage to the small intestine. Celiac disease can lead to both digestive and non-digestive problems. The 23andMe Health + Ancestry DNA test includes two common variants associated with an increased risk of developing this condition. Learn more about Celiac Disease
Chinese 14.9%
23andMe Users 21.4%
Celiac Disease
HLA-DQ8 variant
Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition in which the consumption of gluten (found in wheat, barley, and rye) can result in damage to the small intestine. Celiac disease can lead to both digestive and non-digestive problems. The 23andMe Health + Ancestry DNA test includes two common variants associated with an increased risk of developing this condition. Learn more about Celiac Disease
Chinese 14.0%
23andMe Users 20.0%
Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Y402H variant
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the most common cause of irreversible vision loss among older adults. The disease results in damage to the central part of the retina (the macula), impairing vision needed for reading, driving, or even recognizing faces. The 23andMe Health + Ancestry DNA test includes the two most common variants associated with an increased risk of developing the condition: the Y402H variant in the CFH gene and the A69S variant in the ARMS2 gene. Learn more about Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Chinese 8.9%
23andMe Users 57.2%
Hereditary Hemochromatosis (HFE-Related)
H63D variant
Hereditary hemochromatosis is a genetic condition characterized by absorption of too much dietary iron. This may lead to iron overload, which can cause damage to the joints and certain organs, such as the liver, skin, heart, and pancreas. The 23andMe Health + Ancestry DNA test includes the two most common variants linked to this condition. Learn more about Hereditary Hemochromatosis (HFE-Related)
Chinese 6.1%
23andMe Users 25.0%
Late-Onset Alzheimer's Disease
ε4 variant
Alzheimer's disease is characterized by memory loss, cognitive decline, and personality changes. Late-onset Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of Alzheimer's disease, developing after age 65. Many factors, including genetics, can influence a person's chances of developing the condition. The 23andMe Health + Ancestry DNA test includes the most common genetic variant associated with late-onset Alzheimer's disease: the ε4 variant in the APOE gene. Learn more about Late-Onset Alzheimer's Disease
Chinese 18.2%
23andMe Users 25.5%
Celiac Disease
HLA-DQ2.5 variant
Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition in which the consumption of gluten (found in wheat, barley, and rye) can result in damage to the small intestine. Celiac disease can lead to both digestive and non-digestive problems. The 23andMe Health + Ancestry DNA test includes two common variants associated with an increased risk of developing this condition. Learn more about Celiac Disease
Chinese 14.9%
23andMe Users 21.4%
Celiac Disease
HLA-DQ8 variant
Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition in which the consumption of gluten (found in wheat, barley, and rye) can result in damage to the small intestine. Celiac disease can lead to both digestive and non-digestive problems. The 23andMe Health + Ancestry DNA test includes two common variants associated with an increased risk of developing this condition. Learn more about Celiac Disease
Chinese 14.0%
23andMe Users 20.0%
Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Y402H variant
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the most common cause of irreversible vision loss among older adults. The disease results in damage to the central part of the retina (the macula), impairing vision needed for reading, driving, or even recognizing faces. The 23andMe Health + Ancestry DNA test includes the two most common variants associated with an increased risk of developing the condition: the Y402H variant in the CFH gene and the A69S variant in the ARMS2 gene. Learn more about Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Chinese 8.9%
23andMe Users 57.2%
Hereditary Hemochromatosis (HFE-Related)
H63D variant
Hereditary hemochromatosis is a genetic condition characterized by absorption of too much dietary iron. This may lead to iron overload, which can cause damage to the joints and certain organs, such as the liver, skin, heart, and pancreas. The 23andMe Health + Ancestry DNA test includes the two most common variants linked to this condition. Learn more about Hereditary Hemochromatosis (HFE-Related)
Chinese 6.1%
23andMe Users 25.0%
