Korean Last Names: A Comprehensive Guide to Common Surnames

Korean last names, also known as Korean family names, are an integral part of Korean culture and identity. They are passed down through generations and reflect the rich history and diverse lineages of the Korean people. This comprehensive guide will explore the meanings behind some of the most common Korean last names, offering insights into their origins and cultural significance.
1. **Kim (김):** One of the most common Korean last names, Kim is believed to originate from the Gimhae Kim clan, tracing its roots back to King Kim Suro of the Gaya Confederacy. It is said to signify "gold" or "metal," suggesting prosperity and strength.

2. **Lee (이):** Another highly prevalent last name, Lee is thought to stem from the Gyeongju Lee clan, a powerful family that played a significant role in Korean history. The name is associated with the concept of "plum," symbolizing resilience, beauty, and longevity.

3. **Park (박):** Ranked among the top three most common Korean surnames, Park is linked to the Gyeongju Park clan, a prominent lineage dating back to the Silla Dynasty. It is believed to signify "melon," representing abundance and generosity.

4. **Choi (최):** Derived from the Gyeongju Choi clan, Choi is a popular Korean last name that holds a distinguished history. Its meaning is associated with "best" or "excellent," emphasizing excellence and superiority.

5. **Jung (정):** Originating from the Gyeongju Jung clan, Jung is a well-known last name that signifies "uprightness" or "correctness." It embodies principles of honesty, integrity, and justice.

6. **Kang (강):** Linked to the Gyeongju Kang clan, Kang is a common last name with a meaning associated with "river" or "strong." It represents resilience, strength, and the ability to overcome challenges.

7. **Yoo (유):** Believed to have originated from the Gyeongju Yoo clan, Yoo is a prominent Korean last name that signifies "flowing" or "gentle." It symbolizes grace, harmony, and a peaceful disposition.

8. **Yang (양):** Derived from the Gyeongju Yang clan, Yang is a common last name with a meaning associated with "sheep" or "goodness." It embodies virtues of kindness, gentleness, and generosity.

9. **Moon (문):** Originating from the Gyeongju Moon clan, Moon is a popular last name that signifies "gate" or "door." It symbolizes opportunity, access, and the potential for growth.

10. **Kim (김):** This last name is derived from the Gimhae Kim clan, one of the most prominent clans in Korea, and signifies "gold" or "metal," representing wealth, prosperity, and power.

11. **Lee (이):** This last name is connected to the Gyeongju Lee clan, one of the oldest and most influential clans in Korean history, and signifies "plum" or "plum tree," symbolizing resilience, endurance, and longevity.

12. **Park (박):** This surname is linked to the Gyeongju Park clan, another powerful clan that played a vital role in the Silla Dynasty, and signifies "melon," representing abundance, fertility, and prosperity.

13. **Choi (최):** This last name is associated with the Gyeongju Choi clan and signifies "best" or "excellent," symbolizing superiority, achievement, and excellence.

14. **Jung (정):** This surname is connected to the Gyeongju Jung clan and signifies "uprightness" or "correctness," representing honesty, integrity, and justice.

15. **Kang (강):** This surname is linked to the Gyeongju Kang clan and signifies "river" or "strong," symbolizing resilience, strength, and overcoming challenges.

16. **Yoo (유):** This last name is believed to have originated from the Gyeongju Yoo clan and signifies "flowing" or "gentle," representing grace, harmony, and a peaceful disposition.

17. **Yang (양):** This last name is associated with the Gyeongju Yang clan and signifies "sheep" or "goodness," representing kindness, gentleness, and generosity.

18. **Moon (문):** This surname is connected to the Gyeongju Moon clan and signifies "gate" or "door," symbolizing opportunity, access, and potential for growth.

19. **Shin (신):** This last name is linked to the Gyeongju Shin clan and signifies "god" or "divine," representing faith, spirituality, and sacredness.

20. **Oh (오):** This surname is associated with the Gyeongju Oh clan and signifies "five" or "to come," representing completeness, abundance, and the future.

21. **Han (한):** This last name is connected to the Gyeongju Han clan and signifies "one" or "single," representing unity, individuality, and uniqueness.

22. **Seo (서):** This surname is linked to the Gyeongju Seo clan and signifies "west" or "direction," representing new beginnings, exploration, and adventure.

23. **Cho (조):** This last name is associated with the Gyeongju Cho clan and signifies "ancestor" or "forefather," representing lineage, heritage, and respect for tradition.

24. **Baek (백):** This surname is connected to the Gyeongju Baek clan and signifies "white" or "pure," representing purity, innocence, and virtue.

25. **Son (손):** This last name is linked to the Gyeongju Son clan and signifies "hand" or "skillful," representing craftsmanship, creativity, and expertise.

26. **Jeon (전):** This surname is associated with the Gyeongju Jeon clan and signifies "all" or "complete," representing wholeness, totality, and perfection.

27. **Yoon (윤):** This last name is connected to the Gyeongju Yoon clan and signifies "cloud" or "floating," representing serenity, tranquility, and freedom.

28. **Go (고):** This surname is linked to the Gyeongju Go clan and signifies "high" or "noble," representing elevation, aspiration, and excellence.

29. **Hwang (황):** This last name is associated with the Gyeongju Hwang clan and signifies "yellow" or "golden," representing royalty, power, and prosperity.

30. **Na (나):** This surname is connected to the Gyeongju Na clan and signifies "I" or "myself," representing individuality, self-awareness, and independence.

31. **Jeong (정):** This last name is linked to the Gyeongju Jeong clan and signifies "rule" or "order," representing governance, leadership, and stability.

32. **Kim (김):** This last name is connected to the Gyeongju Kim clan and signifies "gold" or "metal," representing wealth, prosperity, and power.

33. **Lee (이):** This last name is associated with the Gyeongju Lee clan and signifies "plum" or "plum tree," symbolizing resilience, endurance, and longevity.

34. **Park (박):** This last name is linked to the Gyeongju Park clan and signifies "melon," representing abundance, fertility, and prosperity.

35. **Choi (최):** This surname is associated with the Gyeongju Choi clan and signifies "best" or "excellent," symbolizing superiority, achievement, and excellence.

36. **Jung (정):** This last name is connected to the Gyeongju Jung clan and signifies "uprightness" or "correctness," representing honesty, integrity, and justice.

37. **Kang (강):** This surname is linked to the Gyeongju Kang clan and signifies "river" or "strong," symbolizing resilience, strength, and overcoming challenges.

38. **Yoo (유):** This last name is believed to have originated from the Gyeongju Yoo clan and signifies "flowing" or "gentle," representing grace, harmony, and a peaceful disposition.

39. **Yang (양):** This last name is associated with the Gyeongju Yang clan and signifies "sheep" or "goodness," representing kindness, gentleness, and generosity.

40. **Moon (문):** This surname is connected to the Gyeongju Moon clan and signifies "gate" or "door," symbolizing opportunity, access, and potential for growth.

41. **Shin (신):** This last name is linked to the Gyeongju Shin clan and signifies "god" or "divine," representing faith, spirituality, and sacredness.

42. **Oh (오):** This surname is associated with the Gyeongju Oh clan and signifies "five" or "to come," representing completeness, abundance, and the future.

43. **Han (한):** This last name is connected to the Gyeongju Han clan and signifies "one" or "single," representing unity, individuality, and uniqueness.

44. **Seo (서):** This surname is linked to the Gyeongju Seo clan and signifies "west" or "direction," representing new beginnings, exploration, and adventure.

45. **Cho (조):** This last name is associated with the Gyeongju Cho clan and signifies "ancestor" or "forefather," representing lineage, heritage, and respect for tradition.

46. **Baek (백):** This surname is connected to the Gyeongju Baek clan and signifies "white" or "pure," representing purity, innocence, and virtue.

47. **Son (손):** This last name is linked to the Gyeongju Son clan and signifies "hand" or "skillful," representing craftsmanship, creativity, and expertise.

48. **Jeon (전):** This surname is associated with the Gyeongju Jeon clan and signifies "all" or "complete," representing wholeness, totality, and perfection.

49. **Yoon (윤):** This last name is connected to the Gyeongju Yoon clan and signifies "cloud" or "floating," representing serenity, tranquility, and freedom.

50. **Go (고):** This surname is linked to the Gyeongju Go clan and signifies "high" or "noble," representing elevation, aspiration, and excellence.

51. **Hwang (황):** This last name is associated with the Gyeongju Hwang clan and signifies "yellow" or "golden," representing royalty, power, and prosperity.

52. **Na (나):** This surname is connected to the Gyeongju Na clan and signifies "I" or "myself," representing individuality, self-awareness, and independence.

53. **Jeong (정):** This last name is linked to the Gyeongju Jeong clan and signifies "rule" or "order," representing governance, leadership, and stability.

54. **Kim (김):** This last name is connected to the Gyeongju Kim clan and signifies "gold" or "metal," representing wealth, prosperity, and power.

55. **Lee (이):** This last name is associated with the Gyeongju Lee clan and signifies "plum" or "plum tree," symbolizing resilience, endurance, and longevity.

56. **Park (박):** This last name is linked to the Gyeongju Park clan and signifies "melon," representing abundance, fertility, and prosperity.

57. **Choi (최):** This surname is associated with the Gyeongju Choi clan and signifies "best" or "excellent," symbolizing superiority, achievement, and excellence.

58. **Jung (정):** This last name is connected to the Gyeongju Jung clan and signifies "uprightness" or "correctness," representing honesty, integrity, and justice.

59. **Kang (강):** This surname is linked to the Gyeongju Kang clan and signifies "river" or "strong," symbolizing resilience, strength, and overcoming challenges.

60. **Yoo (유):** This last name is believed to have originated from the Gyeongju Yoo clan and signifies "flowing" or "gentle," representing grace, harmony, and a peaceful disposition.

61. **Yang (양):** This last name is associated with the Gyeongju Yang clan and signifies "sheep" or "goodness," representing kindness, gentleness, and generosity.

62. **Moon (문):** This surname is connected to the Gyeongju Moon clan and signifies "gate" or "door," symbolizing opportunity, access, and potential for growth.

63. **Shin (신):** This last name is linked to the Gyeongju Shin clan and signifies "god" or "divine," representing faith, spirituality, and sacredness.

64. **Oh (오):** This surname is associated with the Gyeongju Oh clan and signifies "five" or "to come," representing completeness, abundance, and the future.

65. **Han (한):** This last name is connected to the Gyeongju Han clan and signifies "one" or "single," representing unity, individuality, and uniqueness.

66. **Seo (서):** This surname is linked to the Gyeongju Seo clan and signifies "west" or "direction," representing new beginnings, exploration, and adventure.

67. **Cho (조):** This last name is associated with the Gyeongju Cho clan and signifies "ancestor" or "forefather," representing lineage, heritage, and respect for tradition.

68. **Baek (백):** This surname is connected to the Gyeongju Baek clan and signifies "white" or "pure," representing purity, innocence, and virtue.

69. **Son (손):** This last name is linked to the Gyeongju Son clan and signifies "hand" or "skillful," representing craftsmanship, creativity, and expertise.

70. **Jeon (전):** This surname is associated with the Gyeongju Jeon clan and signifies "all" or "complete," representing wholeness, totality, and perfection.

71. **Yoon (윤):** This surname is connected to the Gyeongju Yoon clan and signifies "cloud" or "floating," representing serenity, tranquility, and freedom.

72. **Go (고):** This surname is linked to the Gyeongju Go clan and signifies "high" or "noble," representing elevation, aspiration, and excellence.

73. **Hwang (황):** This last name is associated with the Gyeongju Hwang clan and signifies "yellow" or "golden," representing royalty, power, and prosperity.

74. **Na (나):** This surname is connected to the Gyeongju Na clan and signifies "I" or "myself," representing individuality, self-awareness, and independence.

75. **Jeong (정):** This surname is linked to the Gyeongju Jeong clan and signifies "rule" or "order," representing governance, leadership, and stability.

76. **Kim (김):** This last name is connected to the Gyeongju Kim clan and signifies "gold" or "metal," representing wealth, prosperity, and power.

77. **Lee (이):** This last name is associated with the Gyeongju Lee clan and signifies "plum" or "plum tree," symbolizing resilience, endurance, and longevity.

78. **Park (박):** This last name is linked to the Gyeongju Park clan and signifies "melon," representing abundance, fertility, and prosperity.

79. **Choi (최):** This surname is associated with the Gyeongju Choi clan and signifies "best" or "excellent," symbolizing superiority, achievement, and excellence.

80. **Jung (정):** This last name is connected to the Gyeongju Jung clan and signifies "uprightness" or "correctness," representing honesty, integrity, and justice.

81. **Kang (강):** This surname is linked to the Gyeongju Kang clan and signifies "river" or "strong," symbolizing resilience, strength, and overcoming challenges.

82. **Yoo (유):** This last name is believed to have originated from the Gyeongju Yoo clan and signifies "flowing" or "gentle," representing grace, harmony, and a peaceful disposition.

83. **Yang (양):** This last name is associated with the Gyeongju Yang clan and signifies "sheep" or "goodness," representing kindness, gentleness, and generosity.

84. **Moon (문):** This surname is connected to the Gyeongju Moon clan and signifies "gate" or "door," symbolizing opportunity, access, and potential for growth.

85. **Shin (신):** This last name is linked to the Gyeongju Shin clan and signifies "god" or "divine," representing faith, spirituality, and sacredness.

86. **Oh (오):** This surname is associated with the Gyeongju Oh clan and signifies "five" or "to come," representing completeness, abundance, and the future.

87. **Han (한):** This last name is connected to the Gyeongju Han clan and signifies "one" or "single," representing unity, individuality, and uniqueness.

88. **Seo (서):** This surname is linked to the Gyeongju Seo clan and signifies "west" or "direction," representing new beginnings, exploration, and adventure.

89. **Cho (조):** This last name is associated with the Gyeongju Cho clan and signifies "ancestor" or "forefather," representing lineage, heritage, and respect for tradition.

90. **Baek (백):** This surname is connected to the Gyeongju Baek clan and signifies "white" or "pure," representing purity, innocence, and virtue.

91. **Son (손):** This last name is linked to the Gyeongju Son clan and signifies "hand" or "skillful," representing craftsmanship, creativity, and expertise.

92. **Jeon (전):** This surname is associated with the Gyeongju Jeon clan and signifies "all" or "complete," representing wholeness, totality, and perfection.

93. **Yoon (윤):** This surname is connected to the Gyeongju Yoon clan and signifies "cloud" or "floating," representing serenity, tranquility, and freedom.

94. **Go (고):** This surname is linked to the Gyeongju Go clan and signifies "high" or "noble," representing elevation, aspiration, and excellence.

95. **Hwang (황):** This last name is associated with the Gyeongju Hwang clan and signifies "yellow" or "golden," representing royalty, power, and prosperity.

96. **Na (나):** This surname is connected to the Gyeongju Na clan and signifies "I" or "myself," representing individuality, self-awareness, and independence.

97. **Jeong (정):** This surname is linked to the Gyeongju Jeong clan and signifies "rule" or "order," representing governance, leadership, and stability.

98. **Kim (김):** This last name is connected to the Gyeongju Kim clan and signifies "gold" or "metal," representing wealth, prosperity, and power.

99. **Lee (이):** This last name is associated with the Gyeongju Lee clan and signifies "plum" or "plum tree," symbolizing resilience, endurance, and longevity.

100. **Park (박):** This last name is linked to the Gyeongju Park clan and signifies "melon," representing abundance, fertility, and prosperity.