# Korean clans

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.
Korean clans distinguish clans that happen to share the same family name. The bongwan identifies descent groups by geographic place of origin. 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. 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. 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. The 2015 census reported that a total of 36,744 family clans exist among the 1,507 surnames extant in South Korea.

## 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. 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.
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. Changes in administrative divisions profoundly influenced the merging or creation of various clans.

## 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.

## List

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