An (Korean surname)

An/Ahn
Hangul
Hanja
Revised RomanizationAn
McCune–ReischauerAn

An, also romanized Ahn, is a Korean family name.[1] A total of 109 Korean clans are named 'An', but with different origins. In 2000, there were 637,786 people bearing this surname in South Korea, making it the 20th most common family name in the country, with roughly 2% of the country's population. North Korea does not release figures for surnames, but the percentage is expected to be more than in South Korea.

Clan

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In the traditional Korean clan system, which is still the basis of family registry in South Korea, each clan is distinguished by its bon-gwan, the notional ancestral seat of the clan. Typically each clan claims a different person as its founder, although there are exceptions. A total of 109 An clans are extant today. However, most of these are very small. The majority of Ans claim membership in the Sunheung Ahn clan. The Kwangju and Juksan clans are also quite large as well; in addition to these, the Tamjin, Gongsan, Chungju, Dongju, Jeuongwon, Ansan, Jecheon, Angang, and Jucheon clans are significant.

Sunheung clan

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A total of 73.5% of those with the Korean surname 'Ahn' belongs to the Sunheung clan. The 2000 South Korean census counted 468,827 members of the "Sunheung" Ahn clan. It is a native clan connected with the town of Sunheung, Korea. The Sunheung clan was the most noble and powerful clan among clans with surname An, and was one of the Six Greatest Clans of all Korean clans during the Goryeo dynasty and early Joseon dynasty.

The crest of clan Ahn of Sunheung

Juksan clan

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The Juksan Ahn clan came from Ahngukjishin which means "the general who made the country peaceful". Three brothers Lee Jichun Lee Yeopchun and Lee Hwachun achieved a great victory against Japan in the Silla period.[1] Juksan is a town name in Anseong city. Lee Jichun changed his name to Ahn Bangjun, and is the founder of the Juksan clan.

Gwangju clan

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Ahn Banggeol is the founder of the Gwangju clan. The clan had 43,609 members in 2000 in South Korea, and 48,033 members in 2015 in South Korea. The population in North Korea is unknown.

Tamjin clan

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The 2015 South Korean census counted 26,098 people of the "Tamjin" Ahn clan. It is a native clan connected with the Gangjin. Tamjin is an old name (before 14C) of Gangjin. Ahn Woo is the founder of Tamjin clan. Ahn Woo put down the rebellion of Cho Il-shin as a Gunbupanseo (kind of military officer) in 1362. Ki Ch'ŏl, who was the brother of Empress Gi, exerted his authority in Korea, and he had the Mongol Empire at his back. Ahn Woo put Ki Ch'ŏl to death. Ahn Woo put Red Turbans to rout who captured Uiju County and Chongju, as Northwest military commander. Also, Ahn Ji, who was a renowned scholar, who was one of the writers of Yongbieocheonga is from the Tamjin clan.

List of notable people with surname

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  • An Ba-ul (born 1994), South Korean judoka
  • An Byeong-hun (born 1991), South Korean professional golfer
  • Ahn Byong-man (1941–2022), South Korean academic
  • Ahn Chai-hong (1891–1965), Korean activist, politician, and journalist
  • Ahn Chang-ho (1878–1938), Korean politician and independence activist
  • An Chang-nam (1901–1930), first Korean aviator
  • An Chang-rim (born 1994), South Korean retired judoka
  • Ahn Cheol-soo (born 1962), South Korean politician, physician, and software entrepreneur
  • Ahn Chil-hyun (stage name Kangta, born 1979), South Korean singer-songwriter, member of boy band H.O.T.
  • Ahn Daniel (stage name Niel, born 1994), South Korean singer, member of boy band Teen Top
  • Danny Ahn (born 1978), South Korean-American singer and actor, member of boy band g.o.d
  • Ahn Eak-tai (1906–1965), South Korean classical composer and conductor
  • Ahn Eun-jin (born 1991), South Korean actress
  • An Gyeong-ja (born 1950), South Korean volleyball player
  • Ahn Hee-jung (born 1965), South Korean politician
  • Ahn Hee-yeon (stage name Hani, born 1992), South Korean singer and actress, member of girl group EXID
  • An Hyang (1243–1306), Confucian scholar
  • Ahn Hye-jin (stage name Hwasa, born 1995), South Korean singer, member of girl group Mamamoo
  • Ahn Hyo-jin (stage name Elly, born 1991), South Korean rapper, member of girl group EXID
  • Ahn Hyo-seop, (born 1995), Canadian actor
  • Ahn Jae-chang (born 1972), South Korean retired badminton player
  • Ahn Jae-hong, (born 1986), South Korean actor
  • Ahn Jae-hyun, (born 1987), South Korean model and actor
  • Ahn Jae-wook (born 1971), South Korean actor and singer
  • Ahn Ji-hwan (born 1969), South Korean voice actor
  • Ahn Ji-hye (born 1987), South Korean actress
  • Joo Won Ahn (born 1993), South Korean ballet dancer
  • An Jung-geun (1879–1910), Korean independence activist
  • Ahn Jung-hwan (born 1976), South Korean former professional football player
  • Ahn Jung-hyo (1941–2023), South Korean novelist and translator
  • Kyongwon Ahn (born 1937), South Korean taekwondo master
  • Mikhail An (1952–1979), Soviet football player
  • Ahn Nae-sang (born 1964), South Korean actor
  • Philip Ahn (1905–1978), Korean-American actor and activist
  • Priscilla Ahn (born 1984), American musician
  • Ahn Sang-soo (Changwon mayor) (born 1946), South Korean politician
  • Ahn Sang-soo (Incheon mayor) (born 1946), South Korean politician
  • An Se-young (born 2002), South Korean badminton player
  • Ahn So-hee (born 1992), South Korean actress and former singer, former member of girl group Wonder Girls
  • Ahn Sol-bin (born 1997), South Korean singer, member of girl group Laboum
  • An Su-gil (1911–1977), Korean novelist and journalist
  • Ahn Sung-ki (born 1952), South Korean actor
  • Ahn Sung-nam (born 1984), South Korean football player
  • Ahn Tae-eun (born 1985), South Korean football player
  • An To-ch'i (?–1363), Goryeo eunuch
  • Tony Ahn (born 1978), South Korean singer, member of boy band H.O.T.
  • Viktor An (born 1985), South Korean-born Russian short-track speed skating coach
  • An Ye-seul (born 1995), South Korean singer
  • Ahn Yeon-seok (stage name Yoo Yeon-seok, born 1984), South Korean actor
  • Ahn Young-mi (born 1983), South Korean comedian
  • An Yu-jin (born 2003), South Korean singer, member of girl group IVE

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b Hanks, Patrick; Coates, Richard; McClure, Peter (2016-11-17). The Oxford Dictionary of Family Names in Britain and Ireland. Oxford University Press. p. 22. ISBN 978-0-19-252747-9.
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