Hong (Korean name)

Hong is the common English spelling of 홍, is Korean and Chinese means "wide" or "big".

Clans

As with all Korean family names, the holders of the Hong surname are divided into different patrilineal clans, or lineages, 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.Historically, there had been 10 clans known but currently there are four clans remained. Hong clan is composed including Namyang, Pungsan, Bugye and Hongju clan.

Namyang clan

The biggest clan is Namyang clan whose founder was Hong Eun-yeol in Goryeo Dynasty. Another founder in this clan was Hong Seon-haeng, and there are two separate family lines under this clan. The former consists of 80 percent of the clan.

Pungsan clan

All ancestry of Andong's Pungsan Hong may be traced to the Goryeo dynasty's Hong Ji-gyeong later known as a great master of Korean classical verse in the Joseon Dynasty. The Pungsan Hong were known as yangban among yangbans. Hong Jin was a direct descendant of Hong Ji-gyeong.

List

Famous Koreans with this family name:

• Francis Hong Yong-ho, Roman Catholic bishop of Pyongyang
• Hong Gil-dong, fictitious character
• Hong Dae-yong, Silhak scholar
• Hong Jin (1877–1946), Korean independence activist, Pungsan clan
• Hong Kyung Min (born 1976), South Korean......
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