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Korean surnames, often referred to as “family names,” hold a special place in the cultural and social fabric of Korea.
The Korean naming system differs significantly from Western conventions, where the surname is traditionally placed before the given name, and these family names are handed down from one generation to the next, typically following a patrilineal descent.
Among the most prevalent Korean surnames are 김 (Gim or Kim), 이 (I, Yi or Lee), 박 (Bak, Pak, or Park), 정 (Jeong or Jung), 최 (Choe or Choi), 조 (Jo or Cho), 강 (Gang or Kang), 장 (Jang or Chang), 윤 (Yun or Yoon), and 임 (Im, Lim or Yim).
These surnames, while common, each carry a unique historical background often linked to specific clans or geographic regions. The meaning and origin of each Korean surname can vary, adding to a colorful mosaic that embodies the essence of Korean heritage and identity.
Table of Contents
Top 10 Most Common Korean Surnames
The following list contains the 10 most common Korean Surnames along with their Hangeul characters and Romanizations.
| Hangeul | Revised Romanization | Other Romanizations |
|---|---|---|
| 김 | Gim | Kim |
| 이 | I | Lee, Yi |
| 박 | Bak | Pak, Park |
| 정 | Jeong | Jung |
| 최 | Choe | Choi |
| 조 | Jo | Cho, Joe |
| 강 | Gang | Kang |
| 장 | Jang | Chang |
| 윤 | Yun | Yoon |
| 임 | Im | Lim, Rim, Yim |
Top 10 Most Rare Korean Surnames
The following list contains the 10 most rare Korean Surnames along with their Hangeul characters and Romanizations.
| Hangeul | Revised Romanization | Other Romanizations |
|---|---|---|
| 예 | Ye | Yae, Yea, Yeh |
| 즙 | Jeup | Chŭp, Chup |
| 등정 | Deungjeong | Tŭngjŏng |
| 탕 | Tang | T’ang |
| 황목 | Hwangmok | |
| 무본 | Mubon | |
| 번 | Beon | Pŏn |
| 완 | Wan | |
| 다 | Da | Ta |
| 망절 | Mangjeol | Mangjŏl |
Overview of Korean Surnames
Naming Conventions: Western vs. Sino-based Languages
In many Western naming conventions, people typically have a “given name” (first name) followed by a “family name” (surname). It’s common for people to use their given name as their primary identifier in daily life. However, in some cases, people may use their middle name, or even their last name, as a first name or go by a nickname.
In contrast, Sino-based languages like Korean and Chinese, have different naming conventions. In these cultures, the “family name” (surname) is traditionally placed before the “given name” (first name). So, when referring to someone, you would first say their surname and then their given name.
Take, for example, the renowned martial artist and actor, Bruce Lee. In these cultures, he would be referred to as “Lee Bruce” with the family name (Lee) placed before the given name (Bruce).
A fun fact related to Korean culture is that, unlike some cultures where women traditionally change their last names upon marriage, Korean women do not change their legal names at marriage. In fact, they typically retain their original family names. This practice reflects the importance of family lineage and is a notable cultural distinction regarding naming conventions in Korea.
Historical Origin of Korean Surnames
Ancient Korea did not commonly use surnames. Some noble families may have had them, but the common people, and those from lower social classes often did not have hereditary surnames. Their names were simpler and frequently based on their occupation, place of residence, or other characteristics.
Chinese Influence on Korean Surnames
The influence of neighboring China on Korea led to the adoption of Chinese letters and the custom of using surnames. This influence included importing actual Chinese surnames and characters.
Many Korean surnames have Chinese origins, and they are often represented by one or two Chinese characters, influencing both the meaning and pronunciation of the surname.
It’s essential to note that shared sounds/characters between “first names” and “surnames” does not mean a person is using a surname as a first name, unlike Western naming conventions.
This is because Sino-based languages such as Korean and Chinese have different naming conventions. Chinese characters can share similar sounds, allowing for variations in name spellings but with different meanings.
Each character can have multiple meanings or sounds, which is why you can find many people with “surname” characters in their first names. For instance, the name Jeong(정) is used both as a Korean “surname” and “first name,” therefore a person having Jeong (정) in their name does not automatically mean Jeong(정) is their surname.
Another illustration of shared sounds retaining their phonetics despite distinct meanings is evident in the surname Jeong (정), which can be represented using three different Chinese characters: 鄭, 丁, and 程. Despite the variation in spelling, the pronunciation remains consistent.
If a Korean surname lacks a Chinese character (or characters), it indicates that the surname’s founder immigrated from another country, and the Korean surname is made up.
When did every Korean start having a surname?
The use of hereditary surnames in Korea underwent significant changes over the centuries. As mentioned earlier, it was influenced by Chinese culture, as Chinese naming practices included both given names and surnames.
In pre-modern Korea, prior to the abolition of the social hierarchy system in 1894, surnames were largely reserved for the royal family, nobility (양반 yangban), and individuals with high social status.
Commoners typically did not have hereditary surnames during this period. Instead, their names were often based on their occupation, place of residence, or other characteristics. This practice highlighted the stark social hierarchies that existed in Korean society at the time.
The turning point in the history of Korean surnames came in 1904 when a government-mandated census required all Korean residents to register a surname.
This was a significant departure from the historical norm and marked the beginning of a more egalitarian approach to naming conventions.
The mandatory registration of surnames was instrumental in breaking down the barriers that had existed in the use of family names. People from all walks of life, regardless of social status, were now expected to select and register a hereditary surname.
Considering they couldn’t invent family names, they resorted to the existing ones, which ended up being the most common ones like Kim (김), Lee (이), Park (박), Jeong (정), and Choe (최).
New Korean Surnames and Legal Restrictions
Creating a new surname in Korea is typically illegal, except for immigrants who become Korean citizens through naturalization.
Census on Korean Surnames
Korea has a detailed census of surnames, providing a wealth of information about the distribution and history of surnames in the country.
Based on the recent census (2015), South Korea revealed that three surnames, Kim (김), Lee (이), Park (박), are highly prevalent in the country.
Approximately 1 in 5 Koreans bear the surname 김 (Kim), nearly 1 in 7 have the surname 이 (Lee), and 1 in 12 have the surname 박 (Park). Collectively, these three surnames make up 44.6 percent of the country’s 50 million population.
Bongwans (본관)
Are all Kims, Lees, Parks, Jeongs, and Choes Related?
In Korean culture, it’s important to note that having a common surname like Kim (김), Lee (이), Park (박), Jeong (정), or Choe (최) does not automatically mean that individuals with those surnames are directly related to each other.
While these surnames are among the most common in Korea, with many people sharing them, they do not indicate a familial relationship between individuals who bear the same surname.
What are Bongwans (본관)?
Bongwans (본관) are Korean ancestral hometowns or clans. Korean “family names” are categorized into different bongwans to denote the name’s origin and distinguish between various clans that share the same surname. This practice helps identify a person’s ancestral roots and is a unique aspect of Korean naming traditions.
김 (Kim, Gim) Bongwans
The 김 (Kim) surname in Korea means “Gold,” and is associated with numerous different clans and variations. Each of these Kim clans has its own unique lineage and history. The different Kim clans can often be distinguished by their bongwans, which are the ancestral hometowns or origins associated with the surname.
Here are a few notable Kim bongwans:
- Gimhae Kim (김해김씨): Associated with 김해 (Gimhae), a city in South Gyeongsang Province, South Korea.
- Gyeongju Kim (경주김씨): Linked to the historic city of 경주 (Gyeongju), in North Gyeongsang Province, South Korea, and was the capital of the ancient Silla Kingdom.
- Gwangsan Kim (광산김씨): Hails from Gwangsan (present day Gwangju), a metropolitan city in South Jeolla Province, South Korea.
- Jeonju Kim (전주김씨): Has its historical ties to Jeonju (전주시), a city in North Jeolla Province, South Korea.
- Andong Kim (안동김씨): There are two Andong Kim clans, Elder Andong Kim (구안동김씨) and New Andong Kim (신안동김씨). Both clans have their roots in Andong, a city in North Gyeongsang Province, South Korea.
| Hangeul | Romanization | Bongwan | Province | Progenitor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 김해김씨 | Gimhae Kim | Gimhae | South Gyeongsang | 김수로 |
| 경주김씨 | Gyeongju Kim | Gyeongju | North Gyeongsang | 김알지 |
| 광산김씨 | Gwangsan Kim | Gwangsan | South Jeolla | 김흥광 |
| 전주김씨 | Jeonju Kim | Jeonju | North Jeolla | 김태서 |
| 구안동김씨 | Elder Andong Kim | Andong | North Gyeongsang | 김숙승 |
| 신안동김씨 | New Andong Kim | Andong | North Gyeongsang | 김습돈 |
These are a few examples of Kim clans and bongwans in Korea. As with other common Korean surnames, there are many more, each with its own unique historical and regional connections.
| MORE ABOUT KIM BONGWANS
이 (Lee, Yi) Bongwans
Lee is another common Korean surname, and like Kim, it is associated with various clans and bongwans.
Some of the prominent Lee bongwans include:
- Jeonju Lee (전주이씨): Associated with the city of Jeonju in North Jeolla Province, South Korea, this is one of the most well-known Lee clans.
- Danyang Lee (단양이씨): Linked to Danyang county in North Chungcheong Province, South Korea.
- Pyeongchang Lee (평창이씨): Hails from Pyeongchang, a county in Gangwon Province, South Korea.
- Gyeongju Lee (경주이씨): Has historical ties with the historic city of Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, South Korea.
- Yeonan Lee (연안이씨): Has its roots in Yeonan, a county in South Hwanghae Province, North Korea.
| Hangeul | Romanization | Bongwan | Province | Progenitor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 전주이씨 | Jeonju Lee | Jeonju | North Jeolla | 이한 |
| 단양이씨 | Danyang Lee | Danyang | North Chungcheong | 이배환 |
| 평창이씨 | Pyeongchang Lee | Pyeongchang | Gangwon | 이광 |
| 경주이씨 | Gyeongju Lee | Gyeongju | North Gyeongsang | 이알평 |
| 연안 이씨 | Yeonan Lee | Yeonan | South Hwanghae | 이무 |
These are some examples of Lee bongwans in Korea, but there are many more, each with its own unique historical and regional ties.
| MORE ABOUT LEE BONGWANS
박 (Park, Bak) Bongwans
The 박 (Park) surname is also one of the most common surnames in Korea, and like Kim and Lee, it has various bongwans associated with it. However, the Park surname is primarily associated with one major clan, which has various branches.
While there may be regional variations within the Park clan, they aren’t typically identified as separate clans in the way some other surnames like Kim, have distinct clans. The progenitor of all Park clans is 박혁거세 (Park Hyeokgeose), also known as Hyeokgeose of Silla, the founding monarch of the Silla Kingdom.
The Park clans that have produced a significant number of notable individuals in Korean history are collectively referred to as the “Eight Parks.
The “Eight Parks” and their bongwans include:
- Milyeong Park (밀양박씨): Also known as Miryang Park. Associated with Milyeong (present day Miryang), a city in South Gyeongsang Province, South Korea.
- Hamyang Park (함양박씨): Linked to Hamyang, a county in South Gyeongsang Province, South Korea.
- Bannam Park (반남박씨): Has historical ties with Bannam, a town in Naju city, South Jeolla Province, South Korea.
- Suncheon Park (순천박씨): Has its roots in the city of Suncheon, South Jeolla Province, South Korea.
- Juksan Park (죽산박씨): Linked to Juksan, a township in Anseong city, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea.
- Goryeong Park (고령박씨): Hails from Goryeong, a county in North Gyeongsang Province, South Korea.
- Muan Park (무안박씨): Associated with Muan, a county in South Jeolla Province, South Korea.
- Chungju Park (충주박씨): Hails from Chungju, a city in North Chungcheong Province, South Korea.
| Hangeul | Romanization | Bongwan | Province | Progenitor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 밀양박씨 | Milyeong Park | Milyeong (Miryang) | South Gyeongsang | 박언침 |
| 함양박씨 | Hamyang Park | Hamyang | South Gyeongsang | 박언신 |
| 반남박씨 | Bannam Park | Bannam (Naju) | South Jeolla | 박응주 |
| 순천박씨 | Suncheon Park | Suncheon | South Jeolla | 박영규 |
| 죽산박씨 | Juksan Park | Juksan (Anseong) | Gyeonggi | 박언립 |
| 고령박씨 | Goryeong Park | Goryeong | North Gyeongsang | 박언성 |
| 무안박씨 | Muan Park | Muan | South Jeolla | 박진승 |
| 충주박씨 | Chungju Park | Chungju | North Chungcheong |
These are a few examples of Park clans in Korea. Similar to other common surnames, there are many more Park clans and bongwans, each with its own unique history and regional connections.
정 (Jeong, Jung) Bongwans
The 정 (Jeong) surname is another common Korean surname, and it is associated with several clans and bongwans.
The origin of the Jeong (정) surname is China and Jeong Deok-seong (정덕성) is historically recognized as the progenitor of the Jeong surname in Korea.
As mentioned earlier, Jeong (정) can be written using one of three different Hanja characters namely 鄭 , 丁, and 程. These Hanja characters have the same pronunciation when spoken but are written differently. Each of these three versions of the surname Jeong is associated with various Jeong clans.
The specific Hanja character used in each Jeong clan’s surname differentiates them, even though the pronunciation is identical. This is a common feature in Korean surnames, where different characters are used to represent the same name.
Some of the prominent Jeong bongwans include:
- Aphae Jeong (압해정씨): Has its roots in Aphaedo (present day Sinan), a county in South Jeolla, South Korea.
- Naju Jeong (나주정씨): Hails from Naju, a city in South Jeolla Province, South Korea.
- Yeonggwang Jeong (영광정씨): Has its roots in Yeonggwang, a county in South Jeolla Province, South Korea.
- Uiseong Jeong (의성정씨): Associated with Uiseong, a county in North Gyeongsang Province, South Korea.
- Changwon Jeong (창원정씨): Linked to the city of Changwon, the capital and largest city of South Gyeongsang Province, South Korea.
- Haeju Jeong (해주정씨): Has historical ties with Haeju, a city in South Hwanghae, North Korea.
| Hangeul | Romanization | Bongwan | Province | Progenitor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 압해정씨 | Aphae Jeong | Sinan | South Jeolla | 정덕성 |
| 나주정씨 | Naju Jeong | Naju | South Jeolla | 정윤종 |
| 영광정씨 | Yeonggwang Jeong | Yeonggwang | South Jeolla | 정진 |
| 의성정씨 | Uiseong Jeong | Uiseong | North Gyeongsang | 정영손 |
| 창원정씨 | Changwon Jeong | Changwon | South Gyeongsang | 정관 |
| 해주정씨 | Haeju Jeong | Haeju | South Hwanghae | 정숙 |
These are a few examples of Jeong clans and bongwans in Korea. As with other common Korean surnames, there are many more, each with its own unique historical and regional connections.
최 (Choe, Choi) Bongwans
The 최 (Choe) surname is also common in Korea, and it is associated with various clans and bongwans.
Here are a couple of notable Choe bongwans:
- Gyeongju Choe (경주최씨): Has historical ties with the city of Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, South Korea.
- Haeju Choe (해주최씨): Hails from Haeju, a city in South Hwanghae Province, North Korea.
- Jeonju Choe (전주최씨): Linked to Jeonju, a city in North Jeolla Province, South Korea.
- Gangneung Choe (강릉최씨): Associated with the city Gangneung, in Gangwon Province, South Korea.
- Hwasun Choe (화순최씨): Has its roots in Hwasun, a county in South Jeolla Province, South Korea.
| Hangeul | Romanization | Bongwan | Province | Progenitor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 경주최씨 | Gyeongju Choe | Gyeongju | North Gyeongsang | 최치원 |
| 해주최씨 | Haeju Choe | Haeju | South Hwanghae | 최온 |
| 전주최씨 | Jeonju Choe | Jeonju | North Jeolla | |
| 강릉최씨 | Gangneung Choe | Gangneung | Gangwon | |
| 화순최씨 | Hwasun Choe | Hwasun | South Jeolla | 최언 |
These are some examples of Choe bongwans in Korea, but there are more, each with its own unique historical and regional affiliations.
List of Korean Surnames
The following list contains 100+ Korean Surnames along with their Hangeul characters and Romanizations.
| Hangeul | Revised Romanization | McCune–Reischauer | Other Romanization |
|---|---|---|---|
| 아 | A | A | Ah |
| 애 | Ae | Ae | Ai |
| 안 | An | An | Ahn |
| 배 | Bae | Pae | Bai, Pai |
| 백 | Baek | Paek | Baik, Paik |
| 박 | Bak | Pak | Park |
| 반 | Ban | Pan | Bahn |
| 방 | Bang | Pang | Bahng |
| 범 | Beom | Pŏm | Buhn, Bum |
| 번 | Beon | Pŏn | |
| 비 | Bi | Pi | Bee, Vi |
| 빈 | Bin | Pin | Been, Vin |
| 빙 | Bing | Ping | |
| 보 | Bo | Po | |
| 복 | Bok | Pok | Bock, Pock |
| 봉 | Bong | Pong | Vong |
| 부 | Bu | Pu | Boo, Poo |
| 변 | Byeon | Pyŏn | Byon, Byun |
| 차 | Cha | Ch’a | Chah |
| 채 | Chae | Ch’ae | Chai, Che |
| 창 | Chang | Ch’ang | |
| 천 | Cheon | Ch’ŏn | Chun, Chon |
| 초 | Cho | Ch’o | |
| 최 | Choe | Ch’oe | Choi, Choy |
| 총 | Chong | Ch’ong | |
| 추 | Chu | Ch’u | Choo, Chou |
| 다 | Da | Ta | |
| 대 | Dae | Tae | Dai |
| 담 | Dam | Tam | |
| 단 | Dan | Tan | Dahn, Dhan |
| 당 | Dang | Tang | Dhang |
| 등 | Deung | Tŭng | |
| 등정 | Deungjeong | Tŭngjŏng | |
| 도 | Do | To | Doh, Toh |
| 독 | Dok | Tok | |
| 독고 | Dokgo | Tokko | Dokko, Dogko |
| 돈 | Don | Ton | |
| 동 | Dong | Tong | Dhong |
| 동방 | Dongbang | Tongbang | |
| 두 | Du | Tu | Do, Doo, Dou |
| 어 | Eo | Ŏ | Eoh, Uh |
| 어금 | Eogeum | Ŏgŭm | Eokum, Uhkum |
| 엄 | Eom | Ŏm | Uhm, Um |
| 음 | Eum | Ŭm | Um |
| 은 | Eun | Ŭn | En, Un |
| 가 | Ga | Ka | Gha, Kah, Kha |
| 갈 | Gal | Kal | Gar, Karl |
| 감 | Gam | Kam | Gahm, Kahm |
| 간 | Gan | Kan | Kahn, Khan |
| 강 | Gang | Kang | Kahng, Khang |
| 금 | Geum | Kŭm | Keum, Kum |
| 근 | Geun | Kŭn | Gun, Keun |
| 기 | Gi | Ki | Gee, Kee, Key |
| 길 | Gil | Kil | Gill, Keel |
| 김 | Gim | Kim | Ghim, Kin |
| 고 | Go | Ko | Goh, Koh |
| 곡 | Gok | Kok | Koock |
| 공 | Gong | Kong | Gohng, Kohng |
| 구 | Gu | Ku | Goo, Koo, Kou |
| 국 | Guk | Kuk | Gook, Kook |
| 궁 | Gung | Kung | Goong, Koong |
| 곽 | Gwak | Kwak | Gwag, Kwag |
| 관 | Gwan | Kwan | |
| 궉 | Gwok | Kwŏk | Kwok, Kweok |
| 권 | Gwon | Kwŏn | Gweon, Kwon |
| 계 | Gye | Kye | Gae, Kae, Keh |
| 견 | Gyeon | Kyŏn | Gyun, Kyeon |
| 경 | Gyeong | Kyŏng | Kyoung, Kyung |
| 교 | Gyo | Kyo | |
| 하 | Ha | Ha | Haa, Hah |
| 해 | Hae | Hae | |
| 학 | Hak | Hak | |
| 함 | Ham | Ham | Haam, Hahm |
| 한 | Han | Han | Haan, Hahn |
| 허 | Heo | Hŏn | Ho, Hu, Huh |
| 호 | Ho | Ho | Hoh |
| 홍 | Hong | Hong | Hohng, Houng |
| 후 | Hu | Hu | Hoo, Hou |
| 화 | Hwa | Hwa | Hoa, Hua, Wha |
| 황 | Hwang | Hwang | Hoang, Whang |
| 황보 | Hwangbo | Hwangbo | Whangbo |
| 황목 | Hwangmok | Hwangmok | |
| 현 | Hyeon | Hyŏn | Hyon, Hyun |
| 형 | Hyeong | Hyŏng | Hyong, Hyung |
| 이 | I | I | Lee, Yi, Yee |
| 임 | Im | Im | Lim, Rim, Yim |
| 인 | In | In | Ihn, Lin, Yin |
| 자 | Ja | Cha | |
| 장 | Jang | Chang | Jhang, Zhang |
| 제 | Je | Che | Jae, Jea, Jeh |
| 제갈 | Jegal | Chegal | Jaegal, Jaekal |
| 점 | Jeom | Chŏm | Jum |
| 전 | Jeon | Chŏn | Chon, Chun |
| 정 | Jeong | Chŏng | Chong, Chung |
| 증 | Jeung | Chŭng | Cheng, Zeng |
| 지 | Ji | Chi | Chee, Gee, Jee |
| 진 | Jin | Chin | Gin, Jean, Jeen |
| 조 | Jo | Cho | Joe, Joh, Zo |
| 종 | Jong | Chong | |
| 주 | Ju | Chu | Choo, Joo, Zoo |
| 좌 | Jwa | Chwa | Chua, Joa, Jua |
| 마 | Ma | Ma | Mah, Mha |
| 매 | Mae | Mae | Mai, Mei, Mea |
| 맹 | Maeng | Maeng | Maing, Meang |
| 만 | Man | Man | Mahn, Mhan |
| 망절 | Mangjeol | Mangjŏl | Mangjul |
| 미 | Mi | Mi | Mee |
| 민 | Min | Min | Mean, Minn |
| 모 | Mo | Mo | Moe, Moh, Moo |
| 목 | Mok | Mok | Mock, Mog |
| 무 | Mu | Mu | |
| 무본 | Mubon | Mubon | |
| 묵 | Muk | Muk | Mok, Mook |
| 문 | Mun | Mun | Mon, Moon |
| 명 | Myeong | Myŏng | Myung |
| 묘 | Myo | Myo | |
| 나 | Na | Na | Nah, La, Ra |
| 내 | Nae | Nae | |
| 남 | Nam | Nam | Nahm, Lam |
| 남궁 | Namgung | Namgung | Namgoong |
| 난 | Nan | Nan | An |
| 낭 | Nang | Nang | Lang |
| 노 | No | No | Noh, Ro, Roh |
| 뇌 | Noe | Noe | Noi |
| 오 | O | O | Oh, Oe |
| 옥 | Ok | Ok | Oak, Ock, Og |
| 온 | On | On | Eok, Ohn, Own |
| 옹 | Ong | Ong | Ohng, Ung |
| 팽 | Paeng | P’aeng | Paing, Peng |
| 판 | Pan | P’an | |
| 피 | Pi | P’i | Pee, Pi, Phee |
| 필 | Pil | P’il | Fil, Peel, Phil |
| 포 | Po | P’o | |
| 풍 | Pung | P’ung | Poong, Poung |
| 편 | Pyeon | P’yŏn | Pyon, Pyun |
| 평 | Pyeong | P’yŏng | Pyong, Pyung |
| 표 | Pyo | P’yo | Pho, Phyo |
| 라 | Ra | Ra | Na, La, Rah |
| 란 | Ran | Ran | |
| 랑 | Rang | Rang | |
| 리 | Ri | Ri | |
| 림 | Rim | Rim | |
| 로 | Ro | Ro | |
| 뢰 | Roe | Roe | |
| 려 | Ryeo | Ryŏ | |
| 류 | Ryu | Ryu | Lyu, Ryoo, You |
| 사 | Sa | Sa | Sah, Sar |
| 사공 | Sagong | Sagong | Sakong |
| 삼 | Sam | Sam | |
| 산 | San | San | |
| 상 | Sang | Sang | Sahng |
| 서 | Seo | Sŏ | So, Su, Suh |
| 석 | Seok | Sŏk | Sok, Suck, Suk |
| 설 | Seol | Sŏl | Sol, Seul, Sul |
| 서문 | Seomun | Sŏmun | Seomoon |
| 선 | Seon | Sŏn | Son, Sun, Suhn |
| 성 | Seong | Sŏng | Song, Sung |
| 선우 | Seonu | Sŏnu | Sonu, Sunwoo |
| 섭 | Seob | Sŏp | Seoub, Sub |
| 승 | Seung | Sŭng | Seoung, Sung |
| 시 | Si | Si | Sea, See, Shi |
| 심 | Sim | Sim | Seem, Shim |
| 신 | Sin | Sin | Sheen, Shin |
| 소 | So | So | Seo, Soh, Sou |
| 손 | Son | Son | Sohn, Soon |
| 송 | Song | Song | Soung, Sung |
| 수 | Su | Su | |
| 순 | Sun | Sun | Soon |
| 태 | Tae | T’ae | Tai, Te, Tea |
| 탁 | Tak | T’ak | Tag, Tack, Tark |
| 탄 | Tan | T’an | Tahn, Than |
| 탕 | Tang | T’ang | |
| 우 | U | U | Ou, Woo, Wu |
| 운 | Un | Un | Woon |
| 완 | Wan | Wan | |
| 왕 | Wang | Wang | Woang, Whang |
| 위 | Wi | Wi | We, Wee, Wei |
| 원 | Won | Wŏn | One, Weon |
| 야 | Ya | Ya | Yha |
| 양 | Yang | Yang | Yaung, Yahng |
| 예 | Ye | Ye | Yae, Yea, Yeh |
| 여 | Yeo | Yŏ | Yo, Yu, Yuh |
| 염 | Yeom | Yŏm | Yeoum, Yum |
| 연 | Yeon | Yŏn | Yeoun, Yun |
| 영 | Yeong | Yŏng | |
| 엽 | Yeob | Yŏp | Yop, Yub, Yup |
| 요 | Yo | Yo | |
| 용 | Yong | Yong | Young, Yung |
| 유 | Yu | Yu | Yoo, You |
| 육 | Yuk | Yuk | Yook, Yuck |
| 윤 | Yun | Yun | Yoon, Youn |
Conclusion
In conclusion, Korean surnames are an integral part of Korean culture, deeply intertwined with the notion of “bongwans” or clan names. These bongwans are crucial threads connecting individuals to their ancestral heritage, reflecting the enduring spirit of the Korean people.
The exploration of Korean surnames and their associated bongwans reveals a rich tapestry of history and personal identity, showcasing the diverse heritage of Korea. These names and clan associations serve as a window into the past and a reminder of the power of names to preserve a nation’s unique story and culture.
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