Kim (Korean surname)
| Kim | |
|---|---|
| Family name | |
| Pronunciation | Kim, Gim |
| Meaning | metal, iron, gold |
| Region of origin | Korea |
| Language(s) of origin | Korean |
| Kim | |
| Hangul | 김 |
|---|---|
| Hanja | 金 |
| Revised Romanization | Gim |
| McCune–Reischauer | Kim |
Kim (occasionally romanized as Gim)[1] is the most common surname in the Korean Peninsula, accounting for nearly 22% of the population. Kim is written as "김" (gim) in Korean, which in conjunction with its Hanja equivalent character means "gold." (The Hangeul "김" has various meanings, from dried seaweed to vapor, but does not have any relation to its surname.) The Chinese or Hanja character for Kim can also be transliterated as "금"(gumm), meaning 'metal, iron, gold.'
Clans
Prohibition of Intermarriage within Kim clans
Within the population that share the surname Kim, families are not immediately related to each other. These distinctions are important, since Korean law prohibits intermarriage in the same clan, no matter how remote the relationship; now, however, only those in a relationship of second cousins or closer are prohibited from marrying.
Distinction of Regions
As with other Korean surnames, the Kim clans are distinguished by the region of Korea from which they claim to originate. The 2000 South Korean census listed 348 extant Kim lineages.[2]
According to the journalist's research, "Kim" was originally "Moyong", a clan of Xiongnu. Some research states that the Old Kims are descended from the Great Huns: north Asian people, including Mongols, Turkic and Koreans. Linguists say that Korean is derived from the Altaic. Some historians believe that the Huns originated from the Xiongnu.
Uiseong
The Uiseong Kim (Hangul: 의성김씨, Hanja: 義城金氏) Clan traces its lineage back to the last prince of Silla, who later became a Monk. Kim Il-ji(김일지) was a prince of Hünnü/Huns/Xiongnu.
Gimhae (Kimhae)
According to a story recorded only in the Samguk Yusa, in AD 48, Princess Heo Hwang-ok travelled from a country called "Ayuda" to Korea, where she married King Suro of Geumgwan Gaya and gave birth to 10 children, thus starting the Kim dynasty of Geumgwan Gaya, the capital of which was in present-day Goryeong County. The country of Ayuda is often identified with Ayodhya in India.[3]
Famous ancient members of this clan, aside from the kings of Geumgwan Gaya, include the Silla general Kim Yu-shin. In the Unified Silla period, members of the Gimhae Kim family were admitted to all but the highest level of the Silla bone rank system.
This clan is by far the most populous of all Korean clans. The 2000 South Korean census found it to add up more than four million people.
Gyeongju
The Gyeongju Kims (Hangul: 경주김씨, Hanja: 慶州金氏[4]) trace their descent from the ruling family of Silla. The founder of this clan is said to have been Kim Alji, an orphan adopted by King Talhae of Silla in the 1st century AD. Alji's seventh-generation descendant was the first member of the clan to take the throne, as King Michu of Silla in the year 262.
This clan is also extremely populous. In the South Korean census of 2000, more than 1.7 million citizens claimed to be Gyeongju Kims.
Nagan
The Nagan Kim (Hangul: 낙안김씨, Hanja: 樂安金氏) clan is extremely rare. Its progenitor (Hangul: 김수징, Hanja: 金粹澄) was a descendant of the last king of Silla and established their ancestral home in Suncheon. In the South Korean census of 2000, less than 10,000 citizens claimed to be Nagan Kims.
Hamchang
The Hamchang Kims (Hangul: 함창김씨, Hanja: 咸昌金氏) trace their origin to the founder of the little-known Gaya state of Goryeong Gaya. His alleged tomb, rediscovered in the 16th century, is still preserved by the modern-day members of the clan. This clan numbered only 26,300 members in the 2000 South Korean census.
Andong
There are two Andong Kim clans (Hangul: 안동김씨; hanja: 安東金氏) distinguished as Gu (Hangul: 구; hanja: 舊) and Shin (Hangul: 신; hanja: 新) that have 2 separate progenitors.
Some of the notable Gu Andong Kim clan members were General Kim Si-min and Prime Minister Kim Sa-hyeong, who was involved with the Kangnido map.
Shin Andong Kim clan[5] was one of the powerful clans that dominated the later part of the Joseon Dynasty. One of the most powerful members from the clan was the Honorable Kim Jo-sun, who was the father-in-law to King Sunjo. Kim Jo-sun's daughter was Queen Sunwon.
Gwangsan
Gwangsan Kim clan (Kwangsan Kim clan) (Hangul: 광산김씨, Hanja: 光山金氏[6]) was one of the most prominent clans during the Joseon Dynasty. The members of the Gwangsan Kim clan are the descendants of Heung Gwang (흥광, 興光), who was the third prince of King Sinmu of Silla, the 45th monarch of the Silla Dynasty.
Yaseong
Yaseong clan (Hangul: 야성김씨, Hanja: 野城金氏) is from Yeongdeok. Yaseong means "City in the wilderness"(city name Yaseong was later changed to Yeongdeok) and dates its origins back to the Silla Dynasty.
Cheongpung
Cheongpung Kim clan (Hangul: 청풍김씨, Hanja: 淸風金氏[7]) was one of the aristocratic families during the Joseon Dynasty. Two queens were from this clan during that period. Several members of the clan also became prime ministers.
Yeonan
Yeonan Kim clan (Hangul: 연안김씨, Hanja: 延安金氏) was an aristocratic family clan that had members in high government positions during the Joseon Dynasty. Six members of the clan were prime ministers.
Gangneung
Gangneung Kim clan (Hangul: 강릉김씨, Hanja: 江陵金氏) originated from Gangneung, Gangwondo, South Korea. The progenitor was Kim Ju-won (김주원, 金周元) who was a descendant of King Taejong Muyeol the Great of Silla.
Sangsan
Sangsan Kim clan (Hangul: 상산김씨, Hanja: 商山金氏) originated from Sangju in North Gyeongsang Province, South Korea. The progenitor was Kim Su (김수, 金需) and the clan had members that participated in the government of Joseon.
Ulsan
Ulsan Kim clan (Hangul: 울산김씨, Hanja:蔚山金氏) originated from Ulsan in South Korea. One of the members of this clan, Kim Inhu, was one of the 18 Sages of Korea and honored as a Munmyo Bae-hyang, (문묘배향, 文廟配享).
Seoheung
Seoheung Kim clan (Hangul: 서흥김씨, Hanja: 瑞興金氏) was one of the smaller Kim clans during the Joseon Dynasty. The progenitor was Kim Bo (김보, 金寶) and one of the members was Kim Gwoeng-pil (김굉필, 金宏弼), who was one of the 18 Sages of Korea and honored as Munmyo Bae-hyang, (문묘배향, 文廟配享).
Wonju
Wonju Kim clan (Hangul: 원주김씨, Hanja: 原州金氏) might be one of the smallest Kim clans during the Joseon Dynasty. They had two members that became prime ministers during that period.
Other Kim clans
Bu-an Kim clan, 부안김씨 Cheongdo Kim clan, 청도김씨 Cheongju Kim clan, 청주김씨 Eon-yang Kim clan, 언양김씨 Gaeseong Kim clan, 개성김씨 Geumsan Kim clan, 금산김씨 Gim-nyeong Kim clan, 김녕김씨 Gongju Kim clan, 공주김씨 Go-ryeong Kim clan, 고령김씨 Go-seong Kim clan, 고성김씨 Gwangju Kim clan, 광주김씨 Jeonju Kim clan, 전주김씨 Jinju Kim clan, 진주김씨 Naju Kim clan, 나주김씨 Pungcheon Kim clan, 풍천김씨 Pungsan Kim clan, 풍산김씨 Samcheok Kim clan, 삼척김씨 Seonsan Kim clan, 선산김씨 Suncheon Kim clan, 순천김씨 Suwon Kim clan, 수원김씨 Ye-an Kim clan, 예안김씨 Yeongdong Kim clan, 영동김씨 (Yeongsan Kim clan, 영산김씨) Yeong-gwang Kim clan, 영광김씨
Notable people
See also
- Korean culture
- Korean name
- List of Korea-related topics
- List of Korean family names
- Kim dynasty (North Korea)
- Jin, the equivalent Chinese surname
References
- ↑ In a study by the National Institute of the Korean Language based on 2007 application data for South Korean passports, it was found that 99.3% of people with this surname spelled it in Latin letters as Kim in their passports; only 0.6% spelled it as Gim. 성씨 로마자 표기 방안: 마련을 위한 토론회 [Plan for romanisation of surnames: a preparatory discussion]. National Institute of the Korean Language. 25 June 2009. p. 57. Retrieved 22 October 2015.
- ↑ "성씨, 본관별 가구 및 인구". Archived from the original on September 7, 2006. Retrieved 2006-10-04.
- ↑ NDTV.com Archived February 2, 2014 at the Wayback Machine
- ↑ 조선왕조실록, Joseon Annals, Nov. 2, 1734, No. 2
- ↑ 조선왕조실록, 정조 대왕 행장, Joseon Annals, King Jeongjo's life history record after death. c. 1800
- ↑ 조선왕조실록,순종실록부록,순종 18년8월21일. Joseon Annals, Aug. 21, 1925. No. 1
- ↑ 조선왕조실록, 정조 대왕 행장, Joseon Annals, King Jeongjo's life history record after death. c. 1800
- Storey, Robert. Lonely Planet: Korea. Lonely Planet Publications: Melbourne, Aus. 2001.
External links
- Korean-language site of the Gyeongju Kim association Archived 7 April 2005 at the Wayback Machine
- 2000 성씨 본관별 가구 및 인구 (measured every 15 years)