Han (Korean name)

Han is the common English spelling of 한, a common Korean family name. According to the 2000 census, 한 (韓) is the twelfth most common surname in the Republic of Korea. In Sino-Korean, it literally means "country" or "leader." Han is considered the oldest surname in Korea, according to genealogy records.

Clans

As with all Korean family names, the holders of the Han surname are divided into different patrilineal clans, or lineages, known in Korean as "bon-gwan", based on their ancestral seat. Most such clans trace their lineage back to a specific founder. This system was at its height under the yangban aristocracy of the Joseon Dynasty, but it remains in use today. There are approximately 241 such clans claimed by South Koreans.

Cheongju clan

Cheongju clan, based on genealogical records, is considered the oldest clan in Korea. According to Cheongju Han clan genealogical record(청주한씨세보), the founder is Hanlan(한란), who is the descendant of Gijun of Gojoseon. The Cheongju clan became successful during late Goryeo era, with a lot of scholar officials coming from this clan. This clan has about thirty sects, with six prominent sects comprising much of the clan's population.

List

Famous Koreans with this family name:
* Han Baek-gyeom (한백겸) - Geographer of the Joseon Dynasty
* Han Chae Young - Actress
* Han Chiyun (한치윤) - Historian of the Joseon Dynasty
* Han Gu (한구) - Calligrapher of the Joseon Dynasty
* Han Ho (한호) - Calligrapher of the Joseon Dynasty
* Jeen and Sunny Han - Involved in the Han Twins Murder Conspiracy
* Han Ji-min - Actress
* Han Ji-hye - Actress
* Joe Hahn - DJ of Linkin Park
* Han Kyeong Hwa - Voice actress
* Han Kyoo Hee - Voice actor
* Moo-Young Han - Physicist
* Han Myeong-hoe (한명회) - Politician of the Joseon Dynasty
* Han Myeong Sook - First female Prime Minister of South Korea
* Han Ran (한란) - A meritorious retainer at the founding of the Goryeo Dynasty
* Han Sang Hyeok - Voice actor
* Han Seungyeon - Korean Singer/Host of the Girl Group Kara
* Han Soo Rim - Voice actress
* Han Suk-kyu - Actor
* Han Won Jin (한원진) - Confucian philosopher of the Joseon Dynasty
* Han Yeo-reum - Actress
* Han Yong-un (한용운) - Independence activist, Buddhist monk, poet during Korea under Japanese rule
* Han Hye-jin - Actress
* Han Hyo Joo - Actress
* Han Nana - Actress (though her only TV series is Autumn in my Heart. She was Korea's entry competed in the Miss Universe pageant in 1998.

ee also

*Korean name
*Han (surname)
*List of Korea-related topics