Korean clans

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Korean clans are groups of Korean 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]

Hangul
본관
Hanja
本貫
RRbongwan
MRpon'gwan
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Korean clans
Hangul
본관
Hanja
本貫
RRbongwan
MRpon'gwan
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Korean clans distinguish families that happen to share the same family names. The bongwan identifies descent groups by geographic location of origin.[2] For example, the Gyeongju Kim and the Gimhae Kim are considered different families, 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 considered part of a Korean person's name, and it can be considered rude to call a person by their clan name, as families in Korea have one of the most meticulous and comprehensive systems of ancestry tracking in the world.[3]

The bongwan and the surname 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 clan and the Gimhae Heo 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.[4] The 2015 census reported that a total of 36,744 family clans exist among the 1,507 surnames extant in South Korea.[5]

History

The Korean bongwan system was created from an adaptation of the Chinese family clan system. 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]

During the mid-to-late Joseon Dynasty, poor Koreans (commoners and members of the "surname-less class") acquired surnames by purchasing the right to adopt them.[6] Some even fabricated family trees (jokbo) to claim ancestry from prestigious clans.[6] This phenomenon was influenced by government policies related to slaves and a desire to elevate their social status.[6] By the time that the Joseon class system was officially abolished in 1894, nearly all Koreans had a surname.[7]

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.[7]

List

More information Surname, Seal ...
Surname Seal English HangulHanja Progenitor(s)
(sijo)		 Population in South Korea (2015)[5] Ref.
Kim Gimhae Kim clan 김해 김씨金海 金氏 Suro of Gaya
4,456,700
[8]
Gyeongju Kim clan 경주 김씨慶州 金氏 Kim Alchi
1,800,853
[9]
Gwangsan Kim clan 광산 김씨光山 金氏 Kim Hŭngkwang
926,316
[10]
Andong Kim clan 안동 김씨安東 金氏 Kim Suksŭng
Kim Sŏnp'yŏng
519,719
[11]
Gimnyeong Kim clan [ko] 김녕 김씨 金寧 金氏 Kim Sihŭng
577,793
 [12]
Uiseong Kim clan [ko] 의성 김씨 義城 金氏 Kim Sŏk
287,469
 [13]
Gangneung Kim clan 강릉 김씨 江陵 金氏 Kim Chuwŏn
179,593
 [14]
Seonsan Kim clan [ko] 선산 김씨 善山 金氏 Kim Sŏnkung [ko]
138,819
 [15]
Cheongpoong Kim clan [ko] 청풍 김씨 淸風金氏 Kim Taeyu
110,815
 [16]
Yeonan Kim clan 연안 김씨 延安 金氏 Kim Sŏmhan
93,382
 [17]
Samcheok Kim clan [ko] 삼척 김씨 三陟 金氏 Kim Ch'u
92,671
 [18]
Sangsan Kim clan [ko] 상산 김씨 商山 金氏 Kim Su
91,558
 [19]
Cheongdo Kim clan [ko] 청도 김씨 淸道 金氏 Kim Chitae [ko]
91,293
 [20]
Yi Jeonju Yi clan 전주 이씨全州 李氏 Yi Han [ko]
2,631,643
[21]
Gyeongju Yi clan [ko] 경주 이씨慶州 李氏 Alp'yŏng [ko]
1,391,867
[22]
Seongju Yi clan [ko] 성주 이씨 星州 李氏 Yi Sunyu
203,703
 [23]
Gwangju Yi clan [ko] 광주 이씨 廣州 李氏 Yi Chasŏng
181,377
 [24]
Jeonui Yi clan [ko] 전의 이씨 全義 李氏 Yi To
164,189
 [25]
Yeonan Yi clan 연안 이씨 延安 李氏 Yi Mu
164,036
 [26]
Hansan Yi clan [ko] 한산 이씨 韓山 李氏 Yi Yunkyŏng
156,861
 [27]
Hampyeong Yi clan [ko] 함평 이씨 咸平 李氏 Yi Ŏn
138,550
 [28]
Yeongcheon Yi clan [ko] 영천 이씨 寧川 李氏 Yi Munhan
135,612
 [29]
Hapcheon Yi clan [ko] 합천 이씨 陜川 李氏 Yi Kae
121,416
 [30]
Seongsan Yi clan [ko] 성산 이씨 星山 李氏 Yi Nŭngil
113,087
 [31]
Byeokjin Yi clan [ko] 벽진 이씨 碧珍 李氏 Yi Ch'ongŏn [ko]
109,267
 [32]
Deoksu Yi clan [ko] 덕수 이씨德水 李氏 Yi Tonsu
58,513
[33]
Park Milyang Park clan 밀양 박씨密陽 朴氏 Pak Ŏnch'im
3,103,942
[34]
Hamyang Park clan [ko] 함양 박씨 咸陽 朴氏 Pak Ŏnsin
163,610
 [35]
Bannam Park clan [ko] 반남 박씨 潘南 朴氏 Pak Ŭngchu
160,964
 [36]
Suncheon Park clan [ko] 순천 박씨 順天 朴氏 Pak Yŏngkyu
105,208
 [37]
Choi Gyeongju Choi clan 경주 최씨慶州 崔氏 Ch'oe Ch'i-wŏn
945,005
[38]
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
[40][41]
Haeju Choi clan [ko] 해주 최씨 海州 崔氏 Ch'oe On
201,625
 [42]
Gangneung Choi clan 강릉 최씨 江陵 崔氏 Ch'oe Hŭnpong
Ch'oe P'iltal
Ch'oe Munhan
145,335
 [43]
Jung Dongnae Jung clan [ko] 동래 정씨東萊 鄭氏 Chŏng Hoemun
474,506
[44]
Gyeongju Jung clan [ko] 경주 정씨慶州 鄭氏 Chi Paekho [ko]
350,587
[45]
Yeonil Jung clan [ko] 연일 정씨 延日 鄭氏 Chŏng Chongŭn
284,290
 [46]
Jinju Jung clan [ko][b] 진주 정씨 晉州 鄭氏 Chŏng Ye
Chŏng Chau
Chŏng Chang
Chŏng Hŏn
324,521
 [47]
Hadong Jung clan [ko] 하동 정씨 河東 鄭氏 Chŏng Tochŏng
187,152
 [48]
Chogye Jung clan [ko] 초계 정씨 草溪 鄭氏 Chŏng Paekŏl
104,155
 [49]
Haeju Jeong Clan [ko] 해주 정씨 海州 鄭氏 Chŏng Suk
45,101
 [50]
Kang Jinju Kang clan [ko] 진주 강씨晉州 姜氏 Kang I-sik
1,161,326
 [51]
Jo Changnyeong Jo clan [ko] 창녕 조씨昌寧 曺氏 Cho Kyeryong
366,798
[52]
Hanyang Jo clan [ko] 한양 조씨漢陽 趙氏 Cho Chisu
332,580
[53]
Haman Jo clan 함안 조씨 咸安 趙氏 Cho Chŏng
282,890
 [54]
Pungyang Jo clan 풍양 조씨 豐壤 趙氏 Cho Maeng
124,262
 [55]
Yoon Papyeong Yoon clan [ko] 파평 윤씨坡平 尹氏 Yun Sintal
770,932
[56]
Jang Indong Jang clan 인동 장씨仁同 張氏 Chang Kŭmyong
666,652
[57]
Im Naju Im clan [ko] 나주 임씨 羅州 林氏 Im Pi [ko]
277,699
 [58]
Pyeongtaek Im clan 평택 임씨 平澤 林氏 Im P'alkŭp
225,872
 [59]
Pungcheon Im clan 풍천 임씨豊川 任氏 Im On
143,881
[60]
Han Cheongju Han clan 청주 한씨淸州 韓氏 Han Ran
752,689
[61]
Oh Haeju Oh clan 해주 오씨海州 吳氏 O Inyu
462,704
[62]
Seo Dalseong Seo clan [ko] 달성 서씨達城 徐氏 Sŏ Chin
407,431
[63]
Icheon Seo clan 이천 서씨 利川 徐氏 Sŏ Sinil
199,792
 [64]
Daegu Seo clan [ko] 대구 서씨 大丘 徐氏 Sŏ Han
97,866
 [65]
Shin Pyeongsan Shin clan 평산 신씨平山申氏 Sin Sung-gyŏm
563,375
[66]
Goryeong Shin clan [ko] 고령 신씨 高靈 申氏 Sin Sŏngyong
129,718
 [67]
Yeongsan Shin clan 영산 신씨靈山 辛氏 Sin Kyŏng
98,759
 [68]
Gwon Andong Gwon clan [ko] 안동 권씨安東 權氏 Kwŏn Haeng [ko]
696,317
[69]
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
 [70]
Pyeonghae Hwang clan 평해 황씨 平海 黃氏 Hwang Onin
168,374
 [71]
Ahn Sunheung Ahn clan 순흥 안씨順興 安氏 An Chami
520,384
[72]
Song Yeosan Song clan 여산 송씨礪山 宋氏 Song Yuik
294,788
 [73]
Eunjin Song clan 은진 송씨 恩津 宋氏 Song Taewŏn
226,050
 [74]
Jeon Cheonan Jeon clan [ko] 천안 전씨 天安 全氏 Chŏn Sŏp
Chŏn Nak
176,239
 [75]
Jeongseon Jeon clan [ko] 정선 전씨 旌善 全氏 Chŏn Sŏp
Chŏn Sŏn
166,965
 [76]
Damyang Jeon clan [ko] 담양 전씨 潭陽 田氏 Chŏn Tŭksi
155,018
 [77]
Hong Namyang Hong clan 남양 홍씨南陽 洪氏 Hong Ch'ŏnha
Hong Sŏnhaeng
487,488
[78]
Ko Jeju Ko clan [ko] 제주 고씨濟州 髙氏 Ko Ŭlna of Tamna [ko]
310,542
[79]
Moon Nampyeong Moon clan [ko] 남평 문씨南平 文氏 Mun Tasŏng
445,946
[80]
Yang Namwon Yang clan [ko] 남원 양씨 南原 梁氏 Yang Uryang
307,724
 [81][82]
Jeju Yang clan [ko] 제주 양씨 濟州 梁氏 Yang Ŭlna [ko]
142,211
 [83]
Cheongju Yang clan 청주 양씨淸州 楊氏 Yang Ki
38 161
 [84]
Son Miryang Son clan [ko] 밀양 손씨 密陽 孫氏 Son Sun
306,895
 [85]
Gyeongju Son clan [ko] 경주 손씨慶州 孫氏 Son Sun
68,486
[86]
Bae Seongju Bae clan [ko] 성주 배씨星州 裵氏 Pae Wichun
148,672
[87]
Baek Suwon Baek clan 수원 백씨水原 白氏 Paek Ukyŏng
354,428
[88]
Heo Yangcheon Heo clan 양천 허씨陽川 許氏 Hŏ Sŏnmun
149,505
[89]
Nam Yeongyang Nam clan 영양 남씨英陽 南氏 Kim Ch'ung
82,272
[90]
Gwak Hyeonpung Gwak clan 현풍 곽씨玄風 郭氏 Kwak Kyŏng
166,608
[91]
Min Yeoheung Min clan 여흥 민씨 驪興 閔氏 Min Ch'ingto
139,073
 [92]
Yoo Munhwa Yoo clan 문화 류씨文化 柳氏 Ryu Ch'atal
237,314
 [93]
Jeonju Yoo clan 전주 류씨 全州 柳氏 Ryu Seup
78,690
Gangneung Yoo clan 강릉 유씨 江陵 劉氏 Yu Chŏn
Yu Sŭngpi
236,871
 [94]
Gigye Yoo clan [ko] 기계 유씨 杞溪 兪氏 Yu Samchae
139,073
 [95]
Jin Yeoyang Jin clan 여양 진씨驪陽 陳氏 Chin Ch'onghu
110,403
 [96]
Mo Hampyeong Mo clan 함평 모씨咸平 牟氏 Mo Kyŏng
20,644
[97]
Kyung Cheongju Kyung Clan [ko] 청주 경씨 淸州 慶氏 Kyŏng Chin [ko]
12,474
 [98]
Bok Myeoncheon Bok clan [ko] 면천 복씨沔川 卜氏 Pok Chikyŏm
9,538
[99]
Gyeon Hwanggan Gyeon clan [ko] 황간 견씨黃澗 甄氏 Ajagae
1,251
[100]
Close

See also

Footnotes

  1. [a]
    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.[39]
  2. [b]
    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

External links

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