# Yeo

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This article is about the surname. For other uses, see [Yeo (disambiguation)](/source/Yeo_(disambiguation)).

**Yeo** is a Chinese, English, and Korean surname.

## Origins

As an [English surname](/source/English_surname), Yeo is a [toponymic surname](/source/Toponymic_surname) meaning "river", either for people who lived near [one of the Rivers Yeo](/source/River_Yeo_(disambiguation)), or any river in general. The word comes from [Old English](/source/Old_English) ea, via south-western [Middle English](/source/Middle_English) ya, yo, or yeo. Variant spellings include [Yoe](/source/Yoe_(surname)) and Youe.[1]

As a [Chinese surname](/source/Chinese_surname), Yeo is a spelling of the pronunciation in different [varieties of Chinese](/source/Varieties_of_Chinese) of a number of distinct surnames, listed below by their pronunciation in [Mandarin Chinese](/source/Mandarin_Chinese):[1]

- [Yáng](/source/Yang_(surname)) (), spelled Yeo or [Yeoh](/source/Yeoh) based on its [Hokkien](/source/Hokkien) pronunciation ().
- [Yáo](/source/Yao_(surname)) (), spelled Yeo or Yeoh based on its Hokkien pronunciation ()
- [Ráo](/source/Rao_(Chinese_surname)) ()

As a [Korean surname](/source/Korean_surname), the [Revised Romanization of Korean](/source/Revised_Romanization_of_Korean) (RR) spelling Yeo (Korean: 여) could correspond to any of three modern surnames:[2]

- *Beopchik Yeo* (Korean: 법칙 여; Hanja: [呂](https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/%E5%91%82); lit. 'the Yeo [character] which means 'rule*). The largest lineage with this surname is the [Hamyang Yeo clan](/source/Hamyang_Yeo_clan).*
- *Na Yeo* (Korean: 나 여; Hanja: [余](https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/%E4%BD%99); lit. '"the Yeo which means 'I'"'). The largest lineage with this surname is the [Uiryeong Yeo clan](/source/Uiryeong_Yeo_clan).
- *Neo Yeo* (Korean: 너 여; Hanja: [汝](https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/%E6%B1%9D); lit. '"the Yeo which means 'you'"').

Additionally, two historical Korean surnames are also spelled Yeo in Revised Romanization:

- *Goul Yeo* (Hanja: 麗; lit. '"the Yeo which means 'beauty'"')
- *Nameul Yeo* (Korean: 남을 여; Hanja: 餘; lit. '"the Yeo which means 'remaining'"'), which originated from the [Buyeo](/source/Buyeo) kingdom[citation needed]

## Statistics

Yeo was the 13th-most common Chinese surname in [Singapore](/source/Singapore) as of 1997 (ranked by English spelling, rather than by Chinese characters). Roughly 36,600 people, or 1.5% of the [Chinese Singaporean](/source/Chinese_Singaporeans) population, bore the surname Yeo.[3]

The 2000 South Korean census found 23,358 households and 65,196 people with the surnames spelled Yeo in Revised Romanization, divided among 17,498 households and 56,692 people for *Beopchik Yeo*, 5,741 households and 18,146 people for *Na Yeo*, and 119 people and 358 households for *Neo Yeo*.[2]

According to statistics cited by [Patrick Hanks](/source/Patrick_Hanks), there were 2,529 people on the island of [Great Britain](/source/Great_Britain) and 20 on the island of [Ireland](/source/Ireland) with the surname Yeo as of 2011. In 1881 there had been 1,565 people with the surname in Great Britain, mainly in [Devon](/source/Devon), while in mid-19th-century Ireland it was found primarily in [Dublin](/source/Dublin) and [Kilkenny](/source/Kilkenny).[1]

The [2010 United States census](/source/2010_United_States_census) found 2,805 people with the surname Yeo, making it the 11,272nd-most-common name in the country. This represented an increase from 2,194 (12,858th-most-common) in the [2000 Census](/source/2000_United_States_census). In the 2010 Census, about 55% of the bearers of the surname identified as [Asian](/source/Asian_Americans), and four-tenths as [White](/source/White_Americans).[4] It was the 871st-most-common surname among respondents to the 2000 Census who identified as Asian.[5]

## People

### Chinese surnames

Chinese surnames *Yáng* () or *Yáo* ():

- [Alex Yeo](/source/Alex_Yeo) (杨陞才; born 1979), Singaporean lawyer and politician
- [Alvin Yeo](/source/Alvin_Yeo) (杨康海; 1962–2022), Singaporean lawyer and politician
- [Ben Yeo](/source/Ben_Yeo) (杨志龙; born 1978), Singaporean actor
- [Yeo Bee Yin](/source/Yeo_Bee_Yin) (杨美盈; born 1983), Malaysian politician
- [Yeo Cheow Tong](/source/Yeo_Cheow_Tong) (姚照东; born 1947), Singaporean politician
- [Danny Yeo](/source/Danny_Yeo) (杨君伟; ), Singaporean television host
- [Edmund Yeo](/source/Edmund_Yeo) (杨毅恒; born 1984), Malaysian filmmaker
- [George Yeo](/source/George_Yeo) (杨荣文; born 1954), Singaporean former politician and Air Force brigadier-general
- [Gwendoline Yeo](/source/Gwendoline_Yeo) (杨时贤; born 1977), Singaporean-born American actress and niece of George Yeo
- [Yeo Guat Kwang](/source/Yeo_Guat_Kwang) (杨木光; born 1961), Singaporean unionist and former politician
- [Yeo Jia Min](/source/Yeo_Jia_Min) (楊佳敏; born 1999), Singaporean badminton player
- [Jamie Yeo](/source/Jamie_Yeo) (杨薏琳; born 1977), Singaporean media personality
- [Jerry Yeo](/source/Jerry_Yeo) (杨伟烈; born 1986), former Singaporean actor
- [Joscelin Yeo](/source/Joscelin_Yeo) (杨玮玲; born 1979), Singaporean swimmer
- [Kate Yeo](/source/Kate_Yeo) (born 2001), youth climate activist from Singapore
- [Yeo Keng Lian](/source/Yeo_Hiap_Seng#Yeo_Keng_Lian) (杨景连; died 1960), Chinese-born Singaporean founder of Yeo Hiap Seng
- [K. K. Yeo](/source/K._K._Yeo) (杨克勤; born 1952), Malaysian-born American bible scholar
- [Kuei Pin Yeo](/source/Kuei_Pin_Yeo) (杨圭斌; ), Indonesian classical pianist
- [Yeo Ning Hong](/source/Yeo_Ning_Hong) (杨林丰; ), Singaporean politician
- [Philip Yeo](/source/Philip_Yeo) (杨烈国, born 1946), Singaporean bureaucrat
- [Richard Yeo (scientist)](/source/Richard_Yeo_(scientist)) (楊瑞才; ), Chinese American scientist best known for his research on disposable diapers
- [Vivien Yeo](/source/Vivien_Yeo) (楊秀惠; born 1984), Malaysian actress
- [Yeo Yann Yann](/source/Yeo_Yann_Yann) (杨雁雁; born 1977), Malaysian actress
- [Michelle Yeoh](/source/Michelle_Yeoh) (楊紫瓊; born 1962), Malaysian actress

### Korean surnames

Korean surnames (Korean: 여; Hanja: 呂, 余, 汝, 麗, *or* 餘):

- [Yeo Bong-hun](/source/Yeo_Bong-hun) (Korean: 여봉훈; born 1994), South Korean football midfielder
- [Yeo Bum-kyu](/source/Yeo_Bum-kyu) (Korean: 여범규; Hanja: 余範奎; born 1962), South Korean football midfielder
- [Yeo One](/source/Yeo_One) (born Yeo Chang-gu; Korean: 여창구; Hanja: 呂暢九; 1996), South Korean singer and actor
- [Mu Jin-sung](/source/Mu_Jin-sung) (born Yeo Eui-ju; Korean: 여의주; Hanja: 余意柱; 1988), South Korean actor
- [Yeo In-hyeok](/source/Yeo_In-hyeok) (Korean: 여인혁; ), South Korean a cappella singer
- [Yeo Hoe-hyun](/source/Yeo_Hoe-hyun) (Korean: 여회현; Hanja: 呂會鉉; born 1994), South Korean actor
- [Yeo Hong-chul](/source/Yeo_Hong-chul) (Korean: 여홍철; Hanja: 呂洪哲; born 1971), South Korean gymnast
- [Yeo Hoon-min](/source/Yeo_Hoon-min) (Korean: 여훈민; born 1991), South Korean singer, former member of U-KISS
- [Yeo Hyo-jin](/source/Yeo_Hyo-jin) (Korean: 여효진; Hanja: 余孝珍; born 1983), South Korean football defender
- [Yeo Hyun-soo](/source/Yeo_Hyun-soo) (Korean: 여현수; born 1982), South Korean actor
- [Yeo Jin-goo](/source/Yeo_Jin-goo) (Korean: 여진구; Hanja: 呂珍九; born 1997), South Korean actor
- [Yeo Kab-soon](/source/Yeo_Kab-soon) (Korean: 여갑순; born 1971), South Korean sport shooter
- [Yeo Min-jeong](/source/Yeo_Min-jeong) (Korean: 여민정; ), South Korean voice actress
- [Yeo Myung-yong](/source/Yeo_Myung-yong) (; born 1987), South Korean football goalkeeper
- [Yeo Oh-hyun](/source/Yeo_Oh-hyun) (Korean: 여오현; born 1978), South Korean volleyball player
- [Yeo Ok](/source/Yeo_Ok) (Korean: 여옥; Hanja: 麗玉), Korean woman poet of the Gojoseon kingdom (which fell in 108 BC)
- [Yeo Reum](/source/Yeo_Reum) (Korean: 여름; born 1989), South Korean football midfielder
- [Yeo Sang-yeop](/source/Yeo_Sang-yeop) (; born 1984), South Korean speed skater
- [Yeo Seung-won](/source/Yeo_Seung-won) (Korean: 여승원; Hanja: 呂承垣; born 1984), South Korean football forward
- [Yeo Sung-hae](/source/Yeo_Sung-hae) (Korean: 여성해; Hanja: 呂成海; born 1987), South Korean football defender
- [Yeo U-gil](/source/Yeo_U-gil) (Korean: 여우길; Hanja: 呂祐吉; 1567–1632), Joseon Dynasty scholar-official
- [Yŏ Ŭi-son](/source/Y%C5%8F_%C5%ACi-son) (Korean: 여의손; Hanja: 呂義孫; ), Joseon Dynasty civil minister
- [Vittoria Yeo](/source/Vittoria_Yeo) (Korean: 여지원; born 1980), South Korean soprano
- [Yeo Woon-hyung](/source/Yeo_Woon-hyung) (Korean: 여운형; Hanja: 呂運亨; 1886–1947), Korean politician
- [Yeo Woon-kay](/source/Yeo_Woon-kay) (Korean: 여운계; Hanja: 呂運計; 1940–2009), South Korean actress
- [Yeo Woon-kon](/source/Yeo_Woon-kon) (Korean: 여운곤; Hanja: 呂運坤; born 1974), South Korean field hockey player

### Other

People with other surnames spelled Yeo, or people for whom the Chinese characters of their names are not available:

- [Alby Yeo](/source/Alby_Yeo) (1929–2014), Australian rules footballer
- [Alfred Yeo (British politician)](/source/Alfred_Yeo_(British_politician)) (1863–1928), British politician and businessman
- [Alfred Yeo (Australian politician)](/source/Alfred_Yeo_(Australian_politician)) (1890–1976), member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly
- [Angela Yeo](/source/Angela_Yeo) (born 1984), American professional bodybuilder
- [Brian Yeo](/source/Brian_Yeo) (born 1944), English former footballer
- [Caitlin Yeo](/source/Caitlin_Yeo) (), Australian film score composer
- [Dylan Yeo](/source/Dylan_Yeo) (born 1986), Canadian ice hockey player
- [Douglas Yeo](/source/Douglas_Yeo) (born 1955), American symphony trombonist and professor
- [Edward Roe Yeo](/source/Edward_Roe_Yeo) (1742–1782), British politician, Member of Parliament for Coventry
- [Elliot Yeo](/source/Elliot_Yeo) (born 1993), Australian football player for the West Coast Eagles
- [Frank Ash Yeo](/source/Frank_Ash_Yeo) (1832–1888), British industrialist and Liberal politician
- [Gerald Francis Yeo](/source/Gerald_Francis_Yeo) (1845–1909), Irish physiologist
- [Harriet Yeo](/source/Harriet_Yeo) (), British trade unionist
- [Isaah Yeo](/source/Isaah_Yeo) (born 1994), Australian Rugby League player
- [Iva Yeo](/source/Iva_Yeo) (born 1939), Canadian politician in Manitoba
- [James Yeo (shipbuilder)](/source/James_Yeo_(shipbuilder)) (1789–1868), Cornish-born shipbuilder, merchant, farmer and political figure in Prince Edward Island
- [James Yeo (politician)](/source/James_Yeo_(politician)) (1827–1903), merchant, ship builder, ship owner, and Canadian Member of Parliament for Prince Edward Island
- [James Lucas Yeo](/source/James_Lucas_Yeo) (1782–1818), British naval commander who served in the War of 1812
- [John Yeo](/source/John_Yeo) (1837–1924), Canadian parliamentarian
- [Jonathan Yeo](/source/Jonathan_Yeo) (born 1970), British portraitist
- [Joseph Yeo](/source/Joseph_Yeo) (born 1983), Filipino professional basketball player
- [Justin Yeo](/source/Justin_Yeo), Australian rugby league player
- [Leonard Yeo (English politician)](/source/Leonard_Yeo_(English_politician)) (died 1586), Member of Parliament for Totnes
- [Lindsay Yeo](/source/Lindsay_Yeo) (), New Zealand radio host
- [Mike Yeo](/source/Mike_Yeo) (born 1974), American ice hockey coach
- [Norman Yeo](/source/Norman_Yeo) (1886–1950), Australian rules footballer
- [Peter Yeo](/source/Peter_Yeo) (born 1947), Australian rules footballer
- [Peter M. Yeo](/source/Peter_M._Yeo) (born 1963), American diplomat
- [Richard Yeo](/source/Richard_Yeo) (c. 1720–1779), British medalist and Chief Engraver at the Royal Mint
- [Rick Yeo](/source/Rick_Yeo) (), Canadian ice hockey coach
- [Simon Yeo](/source/Simon_Yeo) (born 1973), English former footballer
- [Tim Yeo](/source/Tim_Yeo) (born 1945), British politician and Member of Parliament
- [Walter Yeo](/source/Walter_Yeo) (1890–1960), English World War I sailor and early plastic surgery patient
- [William Yeo](/source/William_Yeo) (1896–1972), Australian ex-service leader, farmer, and soldier

## See also

- [F. F. E. Yeo-Thomas](/source/F._F._E._Yeo-Thomas) (1902–1964), British Second World War Special Operations Executive agent
- [Yeoh](/source/Yeoh), surname

## References

1. Hanks, Patrick (ed.) (2016). [*The Oxford Dictionary of Family Names in Britain and Ireland*](https://books.google.com/books?id=0AyDDQAAQBAJ&pg=PA2981). Oxford University Press. pp. 2981, 2983, 2985. ISBN 9780192527479.

1. ["행정구역(구시군)/성씨·본관별 가구 및 인구"](http://kosis.kr/statHtml/statHtml.do?orgId=101&tblId=DT_1INOOSB&vw_cd=&list_id=&scrId=&seqNo=&lang_mode=ko&obj_var_id=&itm_id=&conn_path=K1&path=#) [Family names by administrative region (district, city, county): separated by *bon-gwan*, households and individuals]. Korean Statistical Information Service. Retrieved 20 October 2018.

1. ["Popular Chinese Surnames in Singapore"](http://www.singstat.gov.sg/pubn/papers/people/chinesesurnames.html). *Statistics Singapore Newsletter*. Vol. 20, no. 2. October 1997. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20080223075738/http://www.singstat.gov.sg/pubn/papers/people/chinesesurnames.html) 23 February 2008 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 8 January 2018.

1. ["How common is your last name?"](https://projects.newsday.com/databases/long-island/census-last-names/?where=name^Yeo&offset=0). *Newsday*. Retrieved 5 September 2018.

1. ["Most common last names for Asians and Pacific Islanders in the U.S."](http://names.mongabay.com/data/asian_pacific_islander.html). [Mongabay](/source/Mongabay). Retrieved 8 January 2018.

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Yeo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yeo) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yeo?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.