Korean surnames have a long history shaped by clans, ancestral origins, kingdoms, and Chinese-influenced naming traditions. Unlike many Western naming systems, Korean names generally place the family name before the given name. A relatively small number of surnames account for a large share of the population, with Kim, Lee, and Park being especially widespread. Korean surnames are also closely connected with bon-gwan, or ancestral clan origins, which distinguish different family branches sharing the same surname. Explore popular, common, unique, cool, and traditional Korean surnames, along with their meanings, origins, and examples.
Korean Surnames and Their Meanings
Here are 30 Korean surnames, with their Hangul, common romanization, and associated meanings or historical origins.
| Korean Surname | Meaning / Origin |
|---|---|
| Kim | Gold; associated with the Gimhae and Gyeongju clans |
| Lee | Plum tree |
| Park | Gourd or bottle; traditionally associated with the Silla royal line |
| Choi | Highest, pinnacle, or lofty |
| Jung | Several origins; associated with characters meaning upright, proper, or quiet |
| Kang | River |
| Cho | Several historical clan origins, including ancient states and families |
| Yoon | A traditional surname with several historical clan origins |
| Jang | Several origins; may be associated with Zhang in Chinese tradition |
| Lim | Forest or grove |
| Han | Great, one, or a historic Korean clan name |
| Shin | New or divine, depending on the Hanja |
| Seo | West |
| Kwon | Authority or power |
| Hwang | Yellow |
| Ahn | Peace or security |
| Song | Pine tree |
| Jeon | Several origins; associated with fields or historical clans |
| Hong | Vast or flood |
| Yoo | Willow or flowing, depending on the Hanja |
| Ko | High or ancient clan name |
| Moon | Gate or writing/culture, depending on the Hanja |
| Yang | Sun, positive, or sheep, depending on the Hanja |
| Bae | Pear or boat, depending on the Hanja |
| Baek | White or one hundred |
| Heo | To allow or permit |
| Nam | South |
| Ryu | Willow |
| Ha | Summer or river/riverbank, depending on the Hanja |
| No | Old or traditional clan name |
Note: Korean surname meanings depend on the specific Hanja character used. The same Hangul surname can sometimes correspond to different Chinese characters and therefore have different historical meanings.
Most Popular Korean Surnames
Korean surname distribution is highly concentrated. Kim, Lee, and Park are by far the most recognizable and widely used Korean surnames. Other frequently encountered names include Choi, Jung, Kang, Cho, Yoon, Jang, and Lim.
- Kim (김)
- Lee (이)
- Park (박)
- Choi (최)
- Jung (정)
- Kang (강)
- Cho (조)
- Yoon (윤)
- Jang (장)
- Lim (임)
- Han (한)
- Shin (신)
- Seo (서)
- Kwon (권)
- Hwang (황)
- Ahn (안)
- Song (송)
- Jeon (전)
- Hong (홍)
- Yoo (유)
- Ko (고)
- Moon (문)
- Yang (양)
- Bae (배)
- Baek (백)
- Heo (허)
- Nam (남)
- Ryu (류)
- Ha (하)
- No (노)
Common Last Names in South Korea
South Korea has a large number of registered family names, but a relatively small group accounts for a significant proportion of the population.
Some common Korean last names include:
- Kim
- Lee
- Park
- Choi
- Jung
- Kang
- Cho
- Yoon
- Jang
- Lim
- Han
- Shin
- Seo
- Kwon
- Hwang
- Ahn
- Song
- Jeon
- Hong
- Yoo
- Ko
- Moon
- Yang
- Bae
- Baek
- Heo
- Nam
- Ryu
- Ha
- No
Romanization can vary. For example, Lee is commonly used internationally for the Korean surname written 이, although Yi, I, and Rhee can also occur in different contexts.
Unique Korean Surnames
Although Kim, Lee, and Park dominate Korean surname statistics, Korea has many less-common family names. Some distinctive examples include:
- Seok (석)
- Eom (엄)
- Byeon (변)
- Gwak (곽)
- Won (원)
- Min (민)
- Namgung (남궁)
- Hwangbo (황보)
- Jegal (제갈)
- Sagong (사공)
- Seonu (선우)
- Dokgo (독고)
- Eo (어)
- Ma (마)
- Ki (기)
- Jin (진)
- Tak (탁)
- Wi (위)
- Pyo (표)
- Chu (추)
- Yu (유)
- Gu (구)
- Jin (진)
- Oh (오)
- Bang (방)
- Mok (목)
- Gong (공)
- Sim (심)
- No (노)
- Geum (금)
Compound surnames such as Namgung, Hwangbo, Jegal, Sagong, Seonu, and Dokgo are particularly distinctive because they contain two syllables.
Cool Korean Surnames
If you are looking for Korean surnames with distinctive sounds, strong meanings, or memorable associations, consider:
- Kim (김)
- Choi (최)
- Kang (강)
- Hwang (황)
- Shin (신)
- Seo (서)
- Kwon (권)
- Baek (백)
- Hong (홍)
- Moon (문)
- Ryu (류)
- Ha (하)
- Nam (남)
- Jin (진)
- Won (원)
- Gwak (곽)
- Seok (석)
- Oh (오)
- Tak (탁)
- Wi (위)
- Pyo (표)
- Namgung (남궁)
- Hwangbo (황보)
- Jegal (제갈)
- Sagong (사공)
- Seonu (선우)
- Dokgo (독고)
- Geum (금)
- Gong (공)
- Mok (목)
Traditional Korean Surnames
Traditional Korean surnames are closely connected to historical clans, kingdoms, aristocratic families, and bon-gwan, the ancestral seat associated with a particular family lineage.
- Kim (김)
- Lee (이)
- Park (박)
- Choi (최)
- Jung (정)
- Kang (강)
- Cho (조)
- Yoon (윤)
- Jang (장)
- Lim (임)
- Han (한)
- Shin (신)
- Seo (서)
- Kwon (권)
- Hwang (황)
- Ahn (안)
- Song (송)
- Jeon (전)
- Hong (홍)
- Yoo (유)
- Ko (고)
- Moon (문)
- Yang (양)
- Bae (배)
- Baek (백)
- Heo (허)
- Nam (남)
- Ryu (류)
- Ha (하)
- No (노)
How Did Korean Surnames Originate?
Korean surnames developed over many centuries. Their history is closely connected with Korea’s ancient kingdoms, royal families, aristocratic clans, immigration, Chinese cultural influence, and the development of hereditary family names.
Surnames From Royal and Aristocratic Families
Some of Korea’s oldest surnames are associated with royal families and ruling clans.
Kim, for example, is traditionally associated with the royal families of Silla. The surname was used by the Silla royal house and later became widespread among other Korean families.
Park is also strongly connected with Silla traditions. Traditional accounts associate the surname with Hyeokgeose, the legendary founder of Silla.
Surnames and Bon-Gwan
One of the most important concepts in Korean surname history is bon-gwan.
Bon-gwan identifies the ancestral origin or clan seat of a family. Therefore, two people may share the surname Kim but belong to different clans.
For example:
- Gimhae Kim
- Gyeongju Kim
- Gwangsan Kim
All three use the surname Kim, but their historical clan origins are different.
Influence of Chinese Characters
Korean surnames were traditionally written using Hanja, Chinese characters used in Korean writing. This means that the meaning of a surname is often determined by the particular Hanja character used.
For example, the surname Lee/I (이) is commonly written 李, associated with the plum tree.
Adoption of Surnames
Historically, surnames were initially concentrated among royal, aristocratic, and elite families. Over time, hereditary surnames became much more widespread.
During the Joseon period and particularly toward the modern era, surname adoption expanded significantly across Korean society.
Compound Surnames
Most Korean surnames have one syllable, but some are compound surnames consisting of two syllables.
Examples include:
- Namgung (남궁)
- Hwangbo (황보)
- Jegal (제갈)
- Sagong (사공)
- Seonu (선우)
- Dokgo (독고)
These surnames are relatively uncommon compared with one-syllable family names.
What Do Korean Surnames Mean?
The meaning of a Korean surname depends on its Hanja. The same Hangul spelling may sometimes represent different Hanja and therefore different meanings or clan histories.
Some examples include:
- Kim (김, 金) — gold.
- Lee/I (이, 李) — plum tree.
- Park (박, 朴) — plain, simple, or gourd-like in traditional interpretations.
- Choi (최, 崔) — high or lofty.
- Kang (강, 姜/江) — can refer to a clan character or river, depending on the Hanja.
- Seo (서, 徐/西) — may represent different characters, including “west.”
- Hwang (황, 黃) — yellow.
- Ahn (안, 安) — peace or security.
- Song (송, 宋/松) — can refer to the Song state or pine tree depending on the Hanja.
- Baek (백, 白) — white.
- Nam (남, 南) — south.
- Moon (문, 文) — writing, literature, or culture.
- Yang (양, 梁/楊) — may refer to different historical clans and characters.
- Bae (배, 裵/倍) — depends on the Hanja used.
- Heo (허, 許) — allow or permit.
Therefore, a surname’s literal translation does not always tell the complete story of its Korean origin. The bon-gwan and Hanja are often more useful when researching a particular family line.
Famous People With Korean Surnames Starting With A
Korean surnames beginning with A in English romanization are relatively uncommon. The surname Ahn (안) is the best-known example.
- Ahn Jung-hwan — South Korean former footballer.
- Ahn Hyun-soo — South Korean-born short-track speed skater, also known as Viktor Ahn.
- Ahn Cheol-soo — South Korean physician, entrepreneur, and politician.
- Ahn Hyo-seop — South Korean-Canadian actor and singer.
- Ahn Bo-hyun — South Korean actor.
- Ahn So-hee — South Korean actress and former singer.
- Ahn Jae-hyun — South Korean actor and model.
- Ahn Eun-jin — South Korean actress.
- Ahn Hee-yeon — South Korean singer and actress, professionally known as Hani.
- Ahn Se-young — South Korean badminton player.
- Ahn Chang-rim — South Korean judoka.
- Ahn Ji-hyun — South Korean actress and entertainer.
- Ahn Gil-kang — South Korean actor.
- Ahn Sang-hyun — Korean name shared by several athletes and entertainers.
Because A is not a common initial for Korean family names, Ahn accounts for many notable examples found under this letter.
Korean Surnames by Letter
Korean surnames are traditionally organized by Hangul rather than the English alphabet. The following list uses common English romanizations to organize them alphabetically.
Korean Surnames Starting With A
- Ahn (안)
- An (안)
- A (아)
- Ahn (安)
- An (安)
- Ahn (岸)
- A (阿)
- Ahn (案)
- An (鞍)
- A (亞)
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Korean Surnames Starting With B
- Bae (배)
- Baek (백)
- Ban (반)
- Bang (방)
- Byeon (변)
- Boo (부)
- Bin (빈)
- Bok (복)
- Bong (봉)
- Byeok (벽)
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Korean Surnames Starting With C
- Cha (차)
- Chae (채)
- Cheon (천)
- Choe (최)
- Choi (최)
- Chu (추)
- Choo (추)
- Chae (蔡)
- Cho (조)
- Chang (장)
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Korean Surnames Starting With D
- Do (도)
- Dokgo (독고)
- Dong (동)
- Dae (대)
- Dam (담)
- Dang (당)
- Do (都)
- Dong (董)
- Dok (독)
- Dan (단)
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Korean Surnames Starting With E
- Eom (엄)
- Eo (어)
- Eun (은)
- Eom (嚴)
- Eo (魚)
- Eun (殷)
- Eon (언)
- Eui (의)
- Eung (응)
- E (에)
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Korean Surnames Starting With F
There are very few traditional Korean surnames beginning with F in standard English romanization. Korean surnames are usually romanized using forms beginning with other letters.
- Hwang (황)
- Huh (허)
- Han (한)
- Hong (홍)
- Ha (하)
- Ham (함)
- Hyeon (현)
- Heo (허)
- Ho (호)
- Hwangbo (황보)
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Korean Surnames Starting With G
- Gang (강)
- Kang (강)
- Go (고)
- Gwak (곽)
- Gu (구)
- Gong (공)
- Geum (금)
- Gil (길)
- Gim (김)
- Gye (계)
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Korean Surnames Starting With H
- Han (한)
- Hwang (황)
- Hong (홍)
- Heo (허)
- Ha (하)
- Ham (함)
- Hwangbo (황보)
- Hyeon (현)
- Ho (호)
- Hye (혜)
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Korean Surnames Starting With I
- Im (임)
- In (인)
- I (이)
- Lee (이)
- Yi (이)
- Rhee (이)
- Im (林)
- In (印)
- I (李)
- Im (任)
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Korean Surnames Starting With J
- Jeon (전)
- Jeong (정)
- Jung (정)
- Jo (조)
- Jang (장)
- Jin (진)
- Ji (지)
- Joo (주)
- Je (제)
- Jeong (鄭)
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Korean Surnames Starting With K
- Kim (김)
- Kang (강)
- Kwon (권)
- Ko (고)
- Ki (기)
- Kang (姜)
- Kim (金)
- Koo (구)
- Kwak (곽)
- Kye (계)
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Korean Surnames Starting With L
- Lee (이)
- Lim (임)
- Ryu (류)
- Roh (노)
- Rhee (이)
- Lee (李)
- Lim (林)
- Lim (任)
- Ryu (柳)
- Roh (盧)
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Korean Surnames Starting With M
- Moon (문)
- Min (민)
- Ma (마)
- Mok (목)
- Myeong (명)
- Mu (무)
- Mun (문)
- Maeng (맹)
- Myung (명)
- Meng (맹)
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Korean Surnames Starting With N
- Nam (남)
- No (노)
- Na (나)
- Namgung (남궁)
- Noh (노)
- Noh (盧)
- Nam (南)
- Na (羅)
- No (魯)
- Namgung (南宮)
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Korean Surnames Starting With O
- Oh (오)
- O (오)
- Ok (옥)
- Ong (옹)
- On (온)
- O (吳)
- Ok (玉)
- Ong (邕)
- Oh (伍)
- On (溫)
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Korean Surnames Starting With P
- Park (박)
- Paek (백)
- Pyo (표)
- Pang (방)
- Pyeon (편)
- Pae (배)
- Pung (풍)
- Pyo (表)
- Park (朴)
- Pyeong (평)
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Korean Surnames Starting With Q
Q is not commonly used as the first letter of Korean surname romanizations.
- Kim
- Lee
- Park
- Choi
- Jung
- Kang
- Cho
- Yoon
- Jang
- Lim
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Korean Surnames Starting With R
- Ryu (류)
- Roh (노)
- Ra (라)
- Rim (림)
- Rha (나)
- Ryu (柳)
- Roh (盧)
- Ra (羅)
- Rim (林)
- Rhee (이)
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Korean Surnames Starting With S
- Seo (서)
- Shin (신)
- Song (송)
- Sim (심)
- Seok (석)
- Son (손)
- Seon (선)
- So (소)
- Seong (성)
- Suh (서)
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Korean Surnames Starting With T
- Tak (탁)
- Tae (태)
- Tae (太)
- Tak (卓)
- Tong (통)
- Tae (泰)
- Taek (택)
- To (토)
- Tae (台)
- Tak (鐸)
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Korean Surnames Starting With U
- Woo (우)
- U (우)
- Uhm (엄)
- U (禹)
- Woo (禹)
- U (于)
- U (宇)
- Woo (寓)
- U (尤)
- Woo (宇)
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Korean Surnames Starting With V
There are no widely recognized traditional Korean surnames beginning with V in standard romanization.
- Baek
- Bae
- Byeon
- Park
- Pyo
- Han
- Hwang
- Hong
- Kim
- Kwon
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Korean Surnames Starting With W
- Won (원)
- Woo (우)
- Wi (위)
- Wang (왕)
- Won (元)
- Woo (禹)
- Wi (魏)
- Wang (王)
- Won (苑)
- Woo (于)
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Korean Surnames Starting With X
X is not commonly used to begin Korean surname romanizations.
- Seo
- Shin
- Song
- Choi
- Hwang
- Han
- Hong
- Hyun
- Ha
- Heo
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Korean Surnames Starting With Y
- Yoon (윤)
- Yoo (유)
- Yang (양)
- Yeo (여)
- Yeom (염)
- Yim (임)
- Yu (유)
- Yun (윤)
- Yang (梁)
- Yoo (柳)
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Korean Surnames Starting With Z
Z is uncommon in standard Korean romanization. Some surnames beginning with J can appear with alternative spellings in older romanization systems.
- Jang
- Jeon
- Jeong
- Jo
- Jin
- Ji
- Joo
- Je
- Jung
- Cho
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FAQs About Korean Surnames
1. What are the most common Korean surnames?
The most common Korean surnames are Kim, Lee, and Park. Choi, Jung, Kang, Cho, Yoon, Jang, and Lim are also widely used.
2. What are the most popular Korean last names?
Kim, Lee, and Park are the most recognizable Korean last names. Together, these three surnames account for a very large portion of the population of South Korea.
3. What do Korean surnames mean?
Korean surname meanings depend on the Hanja character used. For example, Kim (金) means “gold,” Lee (李) refers to the plum tree, Baek (白) means “white,” and Nam (南) means “south.”
4. What is the most common surname in South Korea?
Kim (김) is the most common surname in South Korea. Lee (이) and Park (박) are also among the country’s most prevalent family names.
5. What are some traditional Korean surnames?
Traditional Korean surnames include Kim, Lee, Park, Choi, Jung, Kang, Cho, Yoon, Jang, Lim, Han, Shin, Seo, Kwon, and Hwang.
6. What are some unique Korean last names?
Unique Korean surnames include Namgung, Hwangbo, Jegal, Sagong, Seonu, and Dokgo. These are compound surnames and are much less common than one-syllable surnames such as Kim or Park.
7. How did Korean surnames originate?
Korean surnames developed from royal and aristocratic families, ancient clans, historical figures, Chinese characters, and ancestral places. The bon-gwan system became an important way of identifying the ancestral origin of families sharing the same surname.
8. What are some Korean surnames starting with A?
Some Korean surnames romanized with A include Ahn (안), An, and A. Ahn is the most widely recognized surname beginning with A in English romanization.
Korean surnames are deeply connected to the country’s history, clans, royal families, and cultural traditions. Kim, Lee, and Park remain the most common family names, while surnames such as Namgung, Hwangbo, Jegal, and Dokgo demonstrate the diversity of Korean naming traditions. The meaning of a Korean surname depends on its Hanja, while the bon-gwan identifies the historical ancestral origin of a family. Whether you are exploring genealogy, Korean culture, character names, or family-name meanings, Korean surnames offer a fascinating connection to the country’s past.
