How Aberdeen, Hong Kong Got Its Name

Named after George Hamilton-Gordon, 4th Earl of Aberdeen — British Foreign Secretary (1828–30, 1841–46) and later Prime Minister (1852–55).

The Naming Moment

• 1841: British forces occupy Hong Kong Island (First Opium War).
• 1843: Treaty of Nanking cedes Hong Kong to Britain.
• Early 1840s: The natural harbor on the south side of Hong Kong Island — a typhoon shelter for Tanka fishing fleets — is named "Aberdeen Harbour" in honor of the Foreign Secretary who oversaw China policy.
• Aberdeen Village / Township grows around the harbor; later Aberdeen Industrial Estate, Aberdeen Centre.

Why Him?

• As Foreign Secretary under Peel, Aberdeen negotiated the Treaty of Nanking terms (though he opposed the war).
• Naming colonial features after sitting ministers was standard practice (e.g., Wellington, Peel, Palmerston streets).
• He never visited Hong Kong — but his portfolio shaped its birth.

Chinese Name

香港仔 (Heung Kong Tsai) — "Little Hong Kong" — predates English name; refers to the harbor's role as original fishing harbor before Victoria Harbour development.

Today

• Aberdeen Harbour: Still home to floating restaurants (Jumbo Kingdom closed 2022), fish market, typhoon shelter.
• Aberdeen Tunnel, MTR South Island Line (Wong Chuk Hang / Lei Tung / South Horizons).
• Population: ~80,000 in Aberdeen / Ap Lei Chau area.

A Scottish peer's surname on a Chinese harbor — empire's shorthand.