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Korean clans are groups of people that share the same paternal ancestor. They are indicated by the combination of a bongwan (Korean: 본관; lit. place of origin) and a family name.[1]

Quick Facts Hangul, Hanja ...
Korean clans
Hangul
본관
Hanja
本貫
Revised Romanizationbongwan
McCune–Reischauerpon'gwan
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Korean clans distinguish clans that happen to share the same family name. The bongwan identifies descent groups by geographic place of origin.[2] For example, the Gyeongju Kim and the Gimhae Kim are considered different clans, even though they happen to share the same family name Kim. In this case, Gyeongju and Gimhae are the respective bongwan of these clans. However, a clan name is not treated as a part of a Korean person's name.[citation needed] The bongwan and the family name are passed on from a father to his children, thus ensuring that person in the same paternal lineage sharing the same combination of the bongwan and the family name.[1] A bongwan does not change by marriage or adoption.

Different family names sharing the same bongwan sometimes trace their origin to a common paternal ancestor, e.g. the Gimhae Kim [ko] clan and the Gimhae Heo [ko] clan share Suro of Geumgwan Gaya as their common paternal ancestor, though such cases are exceptional.

According to the population and housing census of 2000 conducted by Statistics Korea, there are a total of 286 surnames and 4,179 clans.[3] The 2015 census reported that a total of 36,744 family clans exist among the 1,507 surnames extant in South Korea.[4]

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History

The bongwan system originates from China. It is assumed to have been created around the late Silla and early Goryeo period as a result of Silla's sinicization policies.[1] Taejo of Goryeo promoted the bongwan system to stably distribute a growing population and create a basis for tax revenue, whilst putting an end to the obsolete bone-rank system.[1]

Numerous clans were created throughout local administrations of all sizes and statuses. Almost all Koreans, including the Yangmin and Cheonmin caste, identified with a bongwan from the early Goryeo to the Joseon period. A bongwan affiliated with a prosperous region was widely seen as a source of personal pride, while members from a lesser or impoverished bongwan often sought to escape their genealogical status.[1] Changes in administrative divisions profoundly influenced the merging or creation of various clans.[1]

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Restrictions on marriage and adoption

Traditionally, a man and a woman in the same clan could not marry, so the combination of the bongwan and the family name of a husband had to differ from that of a wife. Until 1997, this was also the law, but this was ruled as unconstitutional.

When adopting a child, the adoptive father and the adopted child must share the same combination of the bongwan and the family name. However, in exceptional circumstances, adoptive parents can change an adopted child's family name for the adopted child's welfare. In this case, the adoptive parents must visit a family court to request permission to change the family name.[5]

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List

More information Surname, Seal ...
Surname Seal English HangulHanja Progenitor(s)
(sijo)
Population in South Korea (2015)[4] Ref.
Kim Thumb Gimhae Kim clan 김해 김씨金海 金氏 Suro of Gaya
4,456,700
[6]
Thumb Gyeongju Kim clan 경주 김씨慶州 金氏 Kim Alchi
1,800,853
[7]
Thumb Gwangsan Kim clan 광산 김씨光山 金氏 Kim Hŭngkwang
926,316
[8]
Thumb Andong Kim clan 안동 김씨安東 金氏 Kim Suksŭng
Kim Sŏnp'yŏng
519,719
[9]
Thumb Gimnyeong Kim clan [ko] 김녕 김씨 金寧 金氏 Kim Sihŭng
577,793
[10]
Uiseong Kim clan [ko] 의성 김씨 義城 金氏 Kim Sŏk
287,469
[11]
Thumb Gangneung Kim clan 강릉 김씨 江陵 金氏 Kim Chuwŏn
179,593
[12]
Seonsan Kim clan [ko] 선산 김씨 善山 金氏 Kim Sŏnkung [ko]
138,819
[13]
Cheongpoong Kim clan [ko] 청풍 김씨 淸風金氏 Kim Taeyu
110,815
[14]
Yeonan Kim clan [ko] 연안 김씨 延安 金氏 Kim Sŏmhan
93,382
[15]
Samcheok Kim clan [ko] 삼척 김씨 三陟 金氏 Kim Ch'u
92,671
[16]
Sangsan Kim clan [ko] 상산 김씨 商山 金氏 Kim Su
91,558
[17]
Thumb Cheongdo Kim clan [ko] 청도 김씨 淸道 金氏 Kim Chitae [ko]
91,293
[18]
Yi Thumb Jeonju Yi clan 전주 이씨全州 李氏 Yi Han [ko]
2,631,643
[19]
Thumb Gyeongju Yi clan [ko] 경주 이씨慶州 李氏 Alp'yŏng [ko]
1,391,867
[20]
Thumb Seongju Yi clan [ko] 성주 이씨 星州 李氏 Yi Sunyu
203,703
[21]
Thumb Gwangju Yi clan [ko] 광주 이씨 廣州 李氏 Yi Chasŏng
181,377
[22]
Jeonui Yi clan [ko] 전의 이씨 全義 李氏 Yi To
164,189
[23]
Yeonan Yi clan [ko] 연안 이씨 延安 李氏 Yi Mu
164,036
[24]
Hansan Yi clan [ko] 한산 이씨 韓山 李氏 Yi Yunkyŏng
156,861
[25]
Hampyeong Yi clan [ko] 함평 이씨 咸平 李氏 Yi Ŏn
138,550
[26]
Yeongcheon Yi clan [ko] 영천 이씨 寧川 李氏 Yi Munhan
135,612
[27]
Hapcheon Yi clan [ko] 합천 이씨 陜川 李氏 Yi Kae
121,416
[28]
Seongsan Yi clan [ko] 성산 이씨 星山 李氏 Yi Nŭngil
113,087
[29]
Byeokjin Yi clan [ko] 벽진 이씨 碧珍 李氏 Yi Ch'ongŏn [ko]
109,267
[30]
Deoksu Yi clan [ko] 덕수 이씨德水 李氏 Yi Tonsu
58,513
[31]
Park Thumb Milyang Park clan 밀양 박씨密陽 朴氏 Pak Ŏnch'im
3,103,942
[32]
Hamyang Park clan [ko] 함양 박씨 咸陽 朴氏 Pak Ŏnsin
163,610
[33]
Bannam Park clan [ko] 반남 박씨 潘南 朴氏 Pak Ŭngchu
160,964
[34]
Suncheon Park clan [ko] 순천 박씨 順天 朴氏 Pak Yŏngkyu
105,208
[35]
Choi Thumb Gyeongju Choi clan 경주 최씨慶州 崔氏 Ch'oe Ch'i-wŏn
945,005
[36]
Jeonju Choi clan [ko][a] 전주 최씨全州 崔氏 Ch'oe Sunchak
Ch'oe Kyun
Ch'oe Kunok
Ch'oe A
458,191
[38][39]
Thumb Haeju Choi clan [ko] 해주 최씨 海州 崔氏 Ch'oe On
201,625
[40]
Gangneung Choi clan 강릉 최씨 江陵 崔氏 Ch'oe Hŭnpong
Ch'oe P'iltal
Ch'oe Munhan
145,335
[41]
Jung Thumb Dongnae Jung clan [ko] 동래 정씨東萊 鄭氏 Chŏng Hoemun
474,506
[42]
Thumb Gyeongju Jung clan [ko] 경주 정씨慶州 鄭氏 Chi Paekho [ko]
350,587
[43]
Thumb Yeonil Jung clan [ko] 연일 정씨 延日 鄭氏 Chŏng Chongŭn
284,290
[44]
Thumb Jinju Jung clan [ko][b] 진주 정씨 晉州 鄭氏 Chŏng Ye
Chŏng Chau
Chŏng Chang
Chŏng Hŏn
324,521
[45]
Hadong Jung clan [ko] 하동 정씨 河東 鄭氏 Chŏng Tochŏng
187,152
[46]
Chogye Jung clan [ko] 초계 정씨 草溪 鄭氏 Chŏng Paekŏl
104,155
[47]
Haeju Jeong Clan [ko] 해주 정씨 海州 鄭氏 Chŏng Suk
45,101
[48]
Kang Thumb Jinju Kang clan [ko] 진주 강씨晉州 姜氏 Kang I-sik
1,161,326
[49]
Jo Thumb Changnyeong Jo clan [ko] 창녕 조씨昌寧 曺氏 Cho Kyeryong
366,798
[50]
Hanyang Jo clan [ko] 한양 조씨漢陽 趙氏 Cho Chisu
332,580
[51]
Thumb Haman Jo clan 함안 조씨 咸安 趙氏 Cho Chŏng
282,890
[52]
Thumb Pungyang Jo clan 풍양 조씨 豐壤 趙氏 Cho Maeng
124,262
[53]
Yoon Thumb Papyeong Yoon clan [ko] 파평 윤씨坡平 尹氏 Yun Sintal
770,932
[54]
Jang Indong Jang clan 인동 장씨仁同 張氏 Chang Kŭmyong
666,652
[55]
Im Thumb Naju Im clan [ko] 나주 임씨 羅州 林氏 Im Pi [ko]
277,699
[56]
Pyeongtaek Im clan 평택 임씨 平澤 林氏 Im P'alkŭp
225,872
[57]
Pungcheon Im clan 풍천 임씨豊川 任氏 Im On
143,881
[58]
Han Thumb Cheongju Han clan 청주 한씨淸州 韓氏 Han Ran
752,689
[59]
Oh Thumb Haeju Oh clan 해주 오씨海州 吳氏 O Inyu
462,704
[60]
Seo Thumb Dalseong Seo clan [ko] 달성 서씨達城 徐氏 Sŏ Chin
407,431
[61]
Thumb Icheon Seo clan 이천 서씨 利川 徐氏 Sŏ Sinil
199,792
[62]
Thumb Daegu Seo clan [ko] 대구 서씨 大丘 徐氏 Sŏ Han
97,866
[63]
Shin Thumb Pyeongsan Shin clan 평산 신씨平山申氏 Sin Sung-gyŏm
563,375
[64]
Thumb Goryeong Shin clan [ko] 고령 신씨 高靈 申氏 Sin Sŏngyong
129,718
[65]
Yeongsan Shin clan 영산 신씨靈山 辛氏 Sin Kyŏng
98,759
[66]
Gwon Thumb Andong Gwon clan [ko] 안동 권씨安東 權氏 Kwŏn Haeng [ko]
696,317
[67]
Hwang Changwon Hwang clan 창원 황씨昌原 黃氏
271,986
Jangsu Hwang clan 장수 황씨 長水 黃氏 Hwang Kyŏng
170,988
[68]
Pyeonghae Hwang clan 평해 황씨 平海 黃氏 Hwang Onin
168,374
[69]
Ahn Thumb Sunheung Ahn clan 순흥 안씨順興 安氏 An Chami
520,384
[70]
Song Thumb Yeosan Song clan 여산 송씨礪山 宋氏 Song Yuik
294,788
[71]
Thumb Eunjin Song clan 은진 송씨 恩津 宋氏 Song Taewŏn
226,050
[72]
Jeon Cheonan Jeon clan [ko] 천안 전씨 天安 全氏 Chŏn Sŏp
Chŏn Nak
176,239
[73]
Thumb Jeongseon Jeon clan [ko] 정선 전씨 旌善 全氏 Chŏn Sŏp
Chŏn Sŏn
166,965
[74]
Damyang Jeon clan [ko] 담양 전씨 潭陽 田氏 Chŏn Tŭksi
155,018
[75]
Hong Namyang Hong clan 남양 홍씨南陽 洪氏 Hong Ch'ŏnha
Hong Sŏnhaeng
487,488
[76]
Ko Thumb Jeju Ko clan [ko] 제주 고씨濟州 髙氏 Ko Ŭlna of Tamna [ko]
310,542
[77]
Moon Thumb Nampyeong Moon clan [ko] 남평 문씨南平 文氏 Mun Tasŏng
445,946
[78]
Yang Namwon Yang clan [ko] 남원 양씨 南原 梁氏 Yang Uryang
307,724
[79][80]
Jeju Yang clan [ko] 제주 양씨 濟州 梁氏 Yang Ŭlna [ko]
142,211
[81]
Cheongju Yang clan 청주 양씨淸州 楊氏 Yang Ki
38 161
[82]
Son Miryang Son clan [ko] 밀양 손씨 密陽 孫氏 Son Sun
306,895
[83]
Gyeongju Son clan [ko] 경주 손씨慶州 孫氏 Son Sun
68,486
[84]
Bae Seongju Bae clan [ko] 성주 배씨星州 裵氏 Pae Wichun
148,672
[85]
Baek Thumb Suwon Baek clan 수원 백씨水原 白氏 Paek Ukyŏng
354,428
[86]
Heo Thumb Yangcheon Heo clan 양천 허씨陽川 許氏 Hŏ Sŏnmun
149,505
[87]
Nam Thumb Yeongyang Nam clan 영양 남씨英陽 南氏 Kim Ch'ung
82,272
[88]
Gwak Hyeonpung Gwak clan 현풍 곽씨玄風 郭氏 Kwak Kyŏng
166,608
[89]
Min Thumb Yeoheung Min clan 여흥 민씨 驪興 閔氏 Min Ch'ingto
139,073
[90]
Yoo Thumb Munhwa Yoo clan 문화 류씨文化 柳氏 Ryu Ch'atal
237,314
[91]
Thumb Gangneung Yoo clan 강릉 유씨 江陵 劉氏 Yu Chŏn
Yu Sŭngpi
236,871
[92]
Gigye Yoo clan [ko] 기계 유씨 杞溪 兪氏 Yu Samchae
139,073
[93]
Jin Yeoyang Jin clan 여양 진씨驪陽 陳氏 Chin Ch'onghu
110,403
[94]
Mo Hampyeong Mo clan 함평 모씨咸平 牟氏 Mo Kyŏng
20,644
[95]
Kyung Cheongju Kyung Clan [ko] 청주 경씨 淸州 慶氏 Kyŏng Chin [ko]
12,474
[96]
Bok Myeoncheon Bok clan [ko] 면천 복씨沔川 卜氏 Pok Chikyŏm
9,538
[97]
Gyeon Hwanggan Gyeon clan [ko] 황간 견씨黃澗 甄氏 Ajagae
1,251
[98]
Close

See also

Footnotes

  1. Due to incomplete genealogy records, the Jeonju Choi clan does not identify a single unified progenitor. The four factions that constitute the clan each identify a different progenitor.[37]
  2. Historical records claim that the Jinju Jung lineage has descended from Chi Paekho. However, the clan has since split into four factions that identify with separate progenitors.

References

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