Browse 62 Korean family names with hanja, meaning, frequency and clan seats. Filter by two-syllable surnames to find Namgung, Jegal and other rare ones.
62 entries
Cho
조 · 趙
Say it: JOH · Jo
State of Zhao, an ancient Chinese feudal state.
How common: very common · Clans: Hanyang, Pungyang, Changnyeong
Another clan uses a different character that means morning or dynasty.
Choi
최 · 崔
Say it: CHOY · Choe
High mountain peak, towering, or lofty.
How common: very common · Clans: Gyeongju, Jeonju, Haeju
This ancient surname traces back to the early aristocratic families of Silla.
Jung
정 · 鄭
Say it: JUNG · Jeong
State of Zheng, an ancient Chinese state.
How common: very common · Clans: Dongnae, Gyeongju, Yeonil
Other rarer lineages use characters meaning upright or state.
Kang
강 · 姜
Say it: GAHNG · Gang
The Jiang River in ancient China.
How common: very common · Clans: Jinju
Almost all people with this surname belong to the Jinju clan.
Medium confidence
Kim
김 · 金
Say it: KIM · Gim
Gold, metal, or money.
How common: very common · Clans: Gimhae, Gyeongju, Andong
This is the most common family name in Korea, held by over twenty percent of the population.
Lee
이 · 李
Say it: EE · I
Plum tree.
How common: very common · Clans: Jeonju, Gyeongju, Seongju
The royal house of the Joseon dynasty belonged to the Jeonju Lee clan.
Park
박 · 朴
Say it: BAHK · Bak
Simple, unadorned, or natural.
How common: very common · Clans: Miryang, Bannam, Goryeong
Legend says the first Park king of Silla was born from a gourd-shaped egg.
Medium confidence
Ahn
안 · 安
Say it: AHN · An
Peace, calm, safety, or tranquil.
How common: common · Clans: Sunheung, Gwangju, Juksan
The Sunheung Ahn clan is famous for producing many modern patriots and scholars.
Bae
배 · 裵
Say it: BAY
Gown, robe, or long garment.
How common: common · Clans: Seongju, Dalseong, Heunghae
All major branches descend from an early Goryeo founding general.
Baek
백 · 白
Say it: BARE-K
White, pure, plain, or clear.
How common: common · Clans: Suwon, Haeju
Suwon is the primary ancestral seat for most Koreans with this surname.
Cha
차 · 車
Say it: CHA
Cart, chariot, or vehicle.
How common: common · Clans: Yeonan
All Cha clans trace their origins back to a single common ancestor.
Chae
채 · 蔡
Say it: CHAE
Tortoise used for ancient divination, or wild herbs.
How common: common · Clans: Pyeonggang, Incheon
Two main hanja characters exist, but this one is by far the most common.
Cheon
천 · 千
Say it: CHUN
Thousand.
How common: common · Clans: Yeongyang
Most Cheon families trace their lineage back to an ancestor from the Ming Dynasty.
Shares its name, or part of it, with a well-known fictional character: Baek Cheon.
Eom
엄 · 嚴
Say it: UM
Strict, rigorous, majestic, or severe.
How common: common · Clans: Yeongwol
Often spelled Um in English; the Yeongwol clan is the main branch.
Ha
하 · 河
Say it: HA
River or stream.
How common: common · Clans: Jinju
Almost all Korean Has belong to the Jinju clan.
Han
한 · 韓
Say it: HAHN
Leader, fence, or the ancient state of Han.
How common: common · Clans: Cheongju, Goksan
Cheongju Han is one of the oldest attested lineages in Korea.
Heo
허 · 許
Say it: HUH
To allow, permit, praise, or promise.
How common: common · Clans: Gimhae, Yangcheon, Hayang
According to legend, this surname came from the queen consort of Gaya's founding king.
Hong
홍 · 洪
Say it: HOHNG
Vast, immense, flood, or wide waters.
How common: common · Clans: Namyang, Pungsan, Hongju
The Namyang Hong clan split historically into two completely distinct branches.
Hwang
황 · 黃
Say it: HWAHNG
Yellow, imperial, or the color of earth.
How common: common · Clans: Changwon, Jangsu, Pyeonghae
In traditional Korean color theory, yellow represents the center and royal authority.
Jang
장 · 張
Say it: JAHNG
To draw a bow, stretch, or expand.
How common: common · Clans: Indong, Deoksu, Andong
A few small clans write this surname with characters meaning chapter or general.
Jeon
전 · 全
Say it: JUHN
Whole, complete, perfect, or intact.
How common: common · Clans: Cheonan, Damyang, Jeongseon
Other families write this surname with characters meaning farm field or war.
Ji
지 · 池
Say it: JEE
Pond, pool, or moat.
How common: common · Clans: Chungju
The Chungju Ji clan makes up the vast majority of people with this name.
Joo
주 · 周
Say it: JOO · Ju
All around, complete, or the ancient Zhou Dynasty.
How common: common · Clans: Sangju, Chogye
Another less common Hanja for this surname means vermilion or red.
Ko
고 · 高
Say it: GOH · Go
High, tall, noble, or elevated.
How common: common · Clans: Jeju, Kaeseong, Jangheung
The Jeju Ko clan traces its roots back to the ancient royal founders of the Tamna kingdom.
Koo
구 · 具
Say it: KOO · Gu
Tool, instrument, or to possess.
How common: common · Clans: Neungseong
Also spelled Gu; the Neungseong clan is the largest branch.
Kwak
곽 · 郭
Say it: KWAK · Gwak
Outer city wall or fortification.
How common: common · Clans: Hyeonpung
This surname historically refers to the defensive walls surrounding a town.
Kwon
권 · 權
Say it: GWUHN · Gwon
Power, authority, or to balance scales.
How common: common · Clans: Andong, Yecheon
The founder of the Andong Kwon clan was granted this surname by King Taejo of Goryeo.
Lim
임 · 林
Say it: EEM · Im
Forest, woods, or a dense grove of trees.
How common: common · Clans: Naju, Pyeongtaek
Another major group writes this surname with a character meaning entrust or appoint.
Min
민 · 閔
Say it: MEEN
To grieve, feel sympathy, or condole.
How common: common · Clans: Yeoheung
Famous for producing several influential queens during the Joseon Dynasty.
Moon
문 · 文
Say it: MOON · Mun
Writing, culture, literature, or civil accomplishment.
How common: common · Clans: Nampyeong, Gangneung
A prominent ancestor of this clan introduced cotton seeds from China to Goryeo.
Na
나 · 羅
Say it: NA
Net for catching birds, or fine silk gauze.
How common: common · Clans: Naju, Geumseong
In North Korea, this surname is pronounced and spelled as Ra.
Nam
남 · 南
Say it: NAHM
South, or the southern direction.
How common: common · Clans: Uiryeong, Yeongyang, Goseong
Tradition says the surname was granted to an envoy from Tang China who settled in Silla.
No
노 · 盧
Say it: NO
Black, or a vessel; historically refers to an ancient Chinese state.
How common: common · Clans: Gwangju, Pungcheon
Also frequently spelled Roh or Noh in English to avoid sounding like the negative word.
Oh
오 · 吳
Say it: OH · O
State of Wu, or to speak loudly.
How common: common · Clans: Haeju, Dongbok, Boseong
Most Korean Oh lineages trace their descent from an early Chinese scholar who migrated to Silla.
Ryu
류 · 柳
Say it: RYOO
Willow tree.
How common: common · Clans: Munhwa, Pungsan, Jeonju
Often spelled Yoo in South Korea due to modern initial-sound spelling rules.
Seo
서 · 徐
Say it: SUH
Slow, calm, gentle, or composed.
How common: common · Clans: Dalseong, Icheon, Buyeo
The Dalseong Seo clan was very prominent during the later Joseon period.
Seong
성 · 成
Say it: SUNG
To succeed, finish, or complete.
How common: common · Clans: Changnyeong
Often Romanized as Sung; the Changnyeong clan accounts for the vast majority.
Shin
신 · 申
Say it: SHEEN · Sin
To extend, report, or the ninth earthly branch.
How common: common · Clans: Pyeongsan, Goryeong, Aju
Other families use characters meaning spicy, bitter, or divine spirit.
Son
손 · 孫
Say it: SOHN
Grandchild, grandson, or descendant.
How common: common · Clans: Miryang, Gyeongju, Pyeonghae
The Gyeongju Son clan claims ancestry from one of the six village chiefs who founded Silla.
Song
송 · 宋
Say it: SOHNG
State of Song, an ancient Chinese duchy.
How common: common · Clans: Yeosan, Eunjin, Jincheon
Another rarer lineage uses a character meaning pine tree.
Won
원 · 元
Say it: WON
First, primary, original, or head.
How common: common · Clans: Wonju
The main clan seat is Wonju, representing the origin of the surname.
Woo
우 · 禹
Say it: WOO · U
The name of Yu the Great, legendary ancient Chinese emperor.
How common: common · Clans: Danyang
Almost all Korean Woos belong to the Danyang clan.
Yang
양 · 梁
Say it: YAHNG
Bridge, bridge beam, or ridgepole.
How common: common · Clans: Namwon, Jeju
Another branch writes the name with the character for sheep or sunshine.
Yoo
유 · 劉
Say it: YOO · Yu
Battle-axe, to conquer, or destroy.
How common: common · Clans: Gangneung, Geochang, Baecheon
Another lineage writes this name with a character meaning wander or swim.
Yoon
윤 · 尹
Say it: YOON · Yun
Governor, oversee, or rule wisely.
How common: common · Clans: Papyeong, Haenam, Chilwon
The Papyeong Yoon clan produced many Joseon queens and scholars.
Seok
석 · 昔
Say it: SUHK
Ancient, former, or times gone by.
How common: uncommon · Clans: Wolseong
Famous as one of the three original royal family surnames of the ancient Silla kingdom.
Seol
설 · 薛
Say it: SUHL
Artemisia or wormwood herb.
How common: uncommon · Clans: Sunchang, Gyeongju
Held by legendary scholars and figures dating back to the Unified Silla era.
Bing
빙 · 氷
Say it: BEENG
Ice or clear frozen water.
How common: rare · Clans: Gyeongju
A rare surname whose literal hanja meaning of ice sounds striking and cool in fantasy.
Dokgo
독고 · 獨孤
Say it: DOHK-GOH
Solitary and alone; derived from an ancient nomadic northern clan.
How common: rare · Clans: Gwangneung · Two-part surname
Very rare in real life but popular for brooding or aloof fictional manhwa figures.
Dongbang
동방 · 東方
Say it: DOHNG-BAHNG
The eastern direction, meaning the East.
How common: rare · Clans: Jinju · Two-part surname
A very rare surname carrying a poetic sense of the sunrise and dawn.
Gal
갈 · 葛
Say it: GAHL
Arrowroot vine or kudzu plant.
How common: rare · Clans: Namyang
Branching historically from the compound surname Jegal when some family lines shortened it.
Hwangbo
황보 · 皇甫
Say it: HWAHNG-BOH
Imperial elder or imperial assistant, derived from ancient Chinese court ranks.
How common: rare · Clans: Yeongcheon, Hwangju · Two-part surname
Historically borne by royalty and high nobility during the early Goryeo dynasty.
Jegal
제갈 · 諸葛
Say it: JEH-GAHL
All or many, joined with arrowroot; originating from the Chinese surname Zhuge.
How common: rare · Clans: Namyang · Two-part surname
Often associated with ancient tacticians and scholars in Korean historical storytelling.
Mangjeol
망절 · 網切
Say it: MAHNG-JUHL
Net and cut; a unique modern naturalized surname of Japanese origin.
How common: rare · Clans: Dogan · Two-part surname
Formed in modern South Korea by an immigrant from Japan using localized characters.
Muk
묵 · 墨
Say it: MOOK
Black ink stick used in traditional calligraphy and scholarship.
How common: rare · Clans: Gwangneung
Its association with dark writing ink gives it an artistic or mysterious flavor in manhwa.
Namgung
남궁 · 南宮
Say it: NAHM-GOONG
South palace, historically referring to an ancient royal residence or neighborhood.
How common: rare · Clans: Hamyeol · Two-part surname
A classic two-syllable clan surname famously featured in traditional Korean historical and martial arts fiction.
Pi
피 · 皮
Say it: PEE
Leather, hide, or outer surface.
How common: rare · Clans: Goesan, Hongcheon
A unique one-syllable surname derived from ancient artisans and regional administrators.
Pung
풍 · 馮
Say it: POONG
Gallop forward, cross over, or rely upon.
How common: rare · Clans: Imgu
A very unusual one-syllable Korean surname with roots in classic northern genealogies.
Sagong
사공 · 司空
Say it: SAH-GOHNG
Ancient minister of works or master of civil construction.
How common: rare · Clans: Hyoryeong · Two-part surname
It derives from a prestigious official government title in ancient Chinese bureaucracy.
Seomun
서문 · 西門
Say it: SUH-MOON
West gate of an ancient walled city.
How common: rare · Clans: Anui · Two-part surname
An evocative compound surname frequently found in Korean period dramas and wuxia-inspired tales.
The clan seat: why two Kims are not the same family
A Korean surname has a second part, the bon-gwan, the clan seat. It is the birthplace of the clan's founder. Gimhae Kim, Gyeongju Kim and Andong Kim are separate lineages with the same name. The clan column lists the best-known seats for each surname. Until 2005, marriage inside one clan was against the law. Jeonju Lee is the clan of the Joseon royal house.
Two-syllable surnames
Most family names have one syllable. The two-syllable ones are rare in real life, and murim stories often use them. The list has Namgung 南宮 (south palace), Hwangbo 皇甫, Seonu 鮮于, Dokgo 獨孤 (alone), Sagong 司空 and Seomun 西門 (west gate). The notes say Gal 葛 branched from Jegal 諸葛 when some families shortened the name. Use the compound filter to see them together.
Spelling traps
The names use common spellings, not the official romanization. Kim, Lee and Park are Gim, I and Bak in Revised Romanization. Ryu 柳 is often spelled Yoo, but the list also has a separate Yoo 劉. Seong is often written Sung, and No is often written Noh. Several surnames come from old Chinese states, such as Jung 鄭 and Cho 趙. Frequency runs from very common to rare, and this is a band from the data, not a count. See editorial standards for checks. Pair a surname with a first name in the Korean name generator.
Questions
What is a bon-gwan?
It is the clan seat, the place tied to the founder of a family line. Two people with the same surname but different clan seats are not from the same line.
Which Korean surname is the most common?
Kim is the most common family name in Korea. Lee and Park follow it.
Can a family name be two syllables?
Yes, but it is unusual. Namgung and Hwangbo are examples. Murim stories use these names to sound grand or old.
Why do some surnames have two spellings?
Korean sounds can be written several ways in English. Ryu and Yoo, or Seong and Sung, show how much spelling varies.