[465 Culture] Understanding the Historical and Cultural Legacy of Korean Surnames

   During the 2022 Qatar World Cup, the fact that South Korea’s lineup of left fullback Kim Jin-soo, center back Kim Young-kwon and Kim Min-jae, right fullback Kim Moon-hwan, and goalkeeper Kim Seung-kyu all shared the surname “Kim” stirred up some laughter. “Why are there so many similar surnames among Koreans?” In fact, it is a question that many foreigners have when they see Koreans, and it is the question we will answer in this Culture article. Where and how did Korean family names like Kim, Lee, and Park originate, and how do they continue to evolve in modern society? In this article, The Dongguk Post aims to explain this so international Donggukians can learn more about Korean last names.

The history of Korean surnames

   Surnames in Korea were originally used by the ruling class to indicate paternal lineage, distinguish family relationships, and differentiate individuals from others in society. Although the use of surnames predates the Three Kingdoms period, it is believed that they began after Chinese cultural influence, as they were written in Chinese characters. During the Three Kingdoms period, surnames were used as symbols of political and social status, primarily by the royal family and aristocrats, who held privileged positions over others. Over time, with shifts in power, surnames spread gradually. The period when surnames were established and universalized in Korea was the Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392), when Wang Geon reorganized the counties across the country and distributed surnames among them. In other words, the ruling powers of each region were given family names.

   Fast forward to the Japanese colonial period (1910-1945), a law was enacted in 1910 requiring all Koreans to have surnames, aimed at better controlling the population. This law allowed even those from lower social classes, including former slaves who previously lacked surnames, to adopt one. However, more than 40% of the population, many from these lower classes, registered under common surnames like Kim, Lee, or Park. This resulted in a significant concentration of certain surnames, with Kim eventually representing one-fifth of the population. This occurred because many people borrowed the surnames of dominant families from their regions rather than creating new ones. For example, those from Jeonju took the surname Lee, while those from Gyeongju often adopted Kim or Choi, mimicking the ruling class. Additionally, servants often took the surnames of their masters, and some freed slaves were given surnames but still forced into servitude. This time when everyone received a surname with the status and class system being overthrown and equalized, during the time of Japanese colonial rule, is still considered as a historical irony.

Korean surnames in the modern world

   First, let us take a look at the distribution of surnames in Korea today. As you might expect, the most common surnames are Kim, Lee, and Park. If you look at the top five surnames in South Korea, you can see that they are Kim, Lee, Park, Choi, and Jeong, in order from first to last, and they account for about 53% of the total population, according to the 2015 data from Statistics Korea. First up is Kim, with about 10.7 million people, making up about 21% of the total population, or in other words, one out of every five Koreans. Gimhae Kim’s and Gyeongju Kim’s are the most common, but there are many other branches of the Kim family.

   The next most common surname is Lee, which accounts for about 7.3 million people. Lee is the second most common surname in South Korea, accounting for about 15% of the population. It is also the most populous surname in the world, with over 100 million members, and is found not only in Korea but throughout China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Vietnam, Singapore, and other Asian countries. The largest percentage of Lee surnames in Korea is Jeonju Lee’s, which accounts for 35% of all Lee surnames. This is followed by Gyeongju Lee’s, which accounts for 35% of all Lee surnames.

Park is the third most common surname in South Korea, with approximately 4.2 million people. There are more than 300 main branches of the Park family, with the Milyang Park’s being the most numerous, followed by the Bannam Park’s (Naju).

   As can be seen above, the surname and the origin of families are inextricably linked. As the Joseon Dynasty emphasized family order, marriages between relatives were prohibited. When the Korean government took over and enacted the Family Law Act in 1958, it became a legal requirement to prohibit marriages between people with the same surname and surname origin region. For example, not so long ago, two complete strangers were not allowed to get married just because they were both surnamed Kim which originated from Gimhae. However, this has been controversial. It was criticized that it was unreasonable to prohibit marriage just because of the same family name and origin when it is difficult to verify familial relationships. On March 2nd, 2005, an amendment to the Family Law Act was passed, removing the ban on marriages between people with the same surname and surname origin.

   The Korean surname system has evolved over a long history and was once an important way to indicate status and class. In particular, during the Japanese colonial period, many people named themselves after the surname their master or the dominant family was using, leading to the phenomenon that certain surnames, such as Kim, Lee, and Park, have become prominent in modern Korean society. Today, Kim, Lee, and Park make up more than half of the population in South Korea and are part of the country’s unique surname culture. By understanding this historical background, international Donggukians can gain a deeper understanding of the origins of Korean surnames and their distribution today. After reading this article, international Donggukians should consider asking their Korean acquaintances the following questions the next time they meet them: “Does your last name, Kim, come from Gimhae?” Watch for a surprised look on their face.