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An (Korean surname)

For the related Chinese surname, see An (surname).

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.

An/Ahn
Hangul
안
Hanja
安
Revised RomanizationAn
McCune–ReischauerAn

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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Main article: Sunheung An clan

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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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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