An, also romanized Ahn, is a

Korean family name This is a list of Korean surnames, in Hangul alphabetical order. The most common Korean surname (particularly in South Korea) is Kim (Korean name), Kim (), followed by Lee (Korean name), Lee () and Park (Korean surname), Park (). These three sur ...

. A total of 109 Korean clans are named 'An', but with different origins. In 2000, there were 637,786 people bearing this surname in South Korea, making it the 20th most common family name in the country, with roughly 2% of the country's population. North Korea does not release figures for surnames, but the percentage is expected to be more than in South Korea.

Clan

In the traditional Korean clan system, which is still the basis of family registry in South Korea, each clan is distinguished by its '' bongwan'', the notional ancestral seat of the clan. Typically each clan claims a different person as its founder, although there are exceptions. A total of 109 An clans are extant today. However, most of these are very small. The majority of Ans claim membership in the Sunheung Ahn clan. The Kwangju and Juksan clans are also quite large as well; in addition to these, the Tamjin, Gongsan, Chungju, Dongju, Jeuongwon, Ansan, Jecheon, Angang, and Jucheon clans are significant.

Sunheung clan

A total of 73.5% of those with the Korean surname 'Ahn' belongs to the Sunheung clan. The 2000 South Korean census counted 468,827 members of the "Sunheung" Ahn clan. It is a native clan connected with the town of Sunheung,

Korea Korea is a peninsular region in East Asia consisting of the Korean Peninsula, Jeju Island, and smaller islands. Since the end of World War II in 1945, it has been politically Division of Korea, divided at or near the 38th parallel north, 3 ...

. The Sunheung clan was the most noble and powerful clan among clans with surname An, and was one of the Six Greatest Clans of all Korean clans during the

Goryeo Goryeo (; ) was a Korean state founded in 918, during a time of national division called the Later Three Kingdoms period, that unified and ruled the Korea, Korean Peninsula until the establishment of Joseon in 1392. Goryeo achieved what has b ...

dynasty and early

Joseon Joseon ( ; ; also romanized as ''Chosun''), officially Great Joseon (), was a dynastic kingdom of Korea that existed for 505 years. It was founded by Taejo of Joseon in July 1392 and replaced by the Korean Empire in October 1897. The kingdom w ...

dynasty.

Juksan clan

The Juksan Ahn clan came from Ahngukjishin which means "the general who made the country peaceful". Three brothers, viz. Lee Jichun, Lee Yeopchun and Lee Hwachun, achieved a great victory against Japan in the

Silla Silla (; Old Korean: wikt:徐羅伐#Old Korean, 徐羅伐, Yale romanization of Korean, Yale: Syerapel, Revised Romanization of Korean, RR: ''Seorabeol''; International Phonetic Alphabet, IPA: ) was a Korean kingdom that existed between ...

period. Juksan is a town name in

Anseong Anseong (; ) is a city in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea, south of Seoul. Anseong promotes itself as "The City of Masters". It is known for producing brassware and arts and crafts. From late spring to fall, Anseong holds its own Namsadang Neuri ...

. Lee Jichun changed his name to Ahn Bangjun, and is the founder of the Juksan clan.

Gwangju clan

Ahn Banggeol is the founder of the Gwangju clan. The clan had 43,609 members in 2000 in South Korea, and 48,033 members in 2015 in South Korea. The population in North Korea is unknown.

Tamjin clan

The 2015 South Korean census counted 26,098 people of the "Tamjin" Ahn clan. It is a native clan connected with the Gangjin. Tamjin is an old name (before 14C) of Gangjin. Ahn Woo is the founder of Tamjin clan. Ahn Woo put down the rebellion of Cho Il-shin as a Gunbupanseo (kind of military officer) in 1362. Ki Ch'ŏl, who was the brother of Empress Gi, exerted his authority in

, and he had the

Mongol Empire The Mongol Empire was the List of largest empires, largest contiguous empire in human history, history. Originating in present-day Mongolia in East Asia, the Mongol Empire at its height stretched from the Sea of Japan to parts of Eastern Euro ...

at his back. Ahn Woo put Ki Ch'ŏl to death. Ahn Woo put Red Turbans to rout who captured

Uiju County Ŭiju is a kun, or county, in North Pyongan Province, North Korea. The county has an area of 420 km2, and a population of 110,018 (2008 data). Name Ŭiju appears as Uiju in South Korea's Revised Romanization and as Yizhou in Chinese sourc ...

and Chongju, as Northwest military commander. Also, Ahn Ji, who was a renowned scholar, who was one of the writers of Yongbieocheonga is from the Tamjin clan.

List of notable people with surname

* An Ba-ul (born 1994), South Korean judoka * Ahn Bo-hyun (born 1988), South Korean actor, model, and television personality *

An Byeong-hun An Byeong-hun (; born 17 September 1991), also known as Byeong-Hun An or Ben An, is a South Korean professional golfer. In August 2009, he became the youngest-ever winner of the U.S. Amateur. Early life Born in Seoul, South Korea, An is the ...

(born 1991), South Korean professional golfer * Ahn Byong-man (1941–2022), South Korean academic *

Ahn Chai-hong Ahn Chai-hong (, December 31, 1891 – March 1, 1965) was a Korean activist, politician, and journalist who participated in the Korean independence movement. See also * Korea Independence Party - Ahn Jae-hong was a member of the party here. ...

(1891–1965), Korean activist, politician, and journalist * Ahn Chang-ho (1878–1938), Korean politician and independence activist * An Chang-nam (1901–1930), first Korean aviator * An Chang-rim (born 1994), South Korean retired judoka *

Ahn Cheol-soo Ahn Cheol-soo (; born 26 February 1962) is a South Korean politician, medical doctor, businessperson, and software entrepreneur. He is a member of the National Assembly as part of the conservative People Power Party. Prior to his career in po ...

(born 1962), South Korean politician, physician, and software entrepreneur * Ahn Chil-hyun (stage name

Kangta An Chil-hyun (; born October 10, 1979), known professionally as Kangta (stylized sometimes in all caps and formerly as KangTa; ), is a South Korean singer, composer, songwriter, record producer, actor and radio personality. He is well known as a ...

, born 1979), South Korean singer-songwriter, member of boy band H.O.T. * Ahn Daniel (stage name Niel, born 1994), South Korean singer, member of boy band

Teen Top Teen Top () is a South Korean boy band formed by TOP Media in 2010. The group is composed of four members: Chunji, Niel, Ricky and Changjo. Originally a six-piece group, L.Joe had filed for contract termination in February 2017, and former l ...

Danny Ahn Danny Ahn (; born December 22, 1978) is a South Korean- American entertainer best known as the main rapper of the South Korean pop music group g.o.d. Having made his debut in the entertainment industry as a member of g.o.d in 1999, Ahn has gone ...

(born 1978), South Korean-American singer and actor, member of boy band

g.o.d g.o.d (; acronym for Groove Over Dose) is a South Korean boy band formed by IHQ (company), SidusHQ. Debuting in 1999, the group became one of the most popular boy bands of the early 2000s in South Korea. The members had gone on to solo careers ...

Ahn Eak-tai Ahn Eak-tai (, ; 5 December 1906 – 16 September 1965) was a Korean classical composer and conductor. He conducted numerous major orchestras across Europe, including the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, and th ...

(1906–1965), South Korean classical composer and conductor * Ahn Eun-jin (born 1991), South Korean actress * Ahn Gooc-jin (born 1980), South Korean film director and screenwriter * An Gyeong-ja (born 1950), South Korean volleyball player * Ahn Hae-ryong (born 1961), South Korean documentary filmmaker and cinematographer * Ahn Hee-jung (born 1965), South Korean politician * Ahn Hee-yeon (stage name Hani, born 1992), South Korean singer and actress, member of girl group

EXID EXID (; ; initialism for "Exceed in Dreaming") is a South Korean girl group formed in 2012. The group consists of five members: Solji, Elly, Hani, Hyelin, and Jeonghwa. EXID debuted in February 2012, with the single "Whoz That Girl". Thou ...

* An Hyang (1243–1306), Confucian scholar * Ahn Hye-jin (stage name

Hwasa Ahn Hye-jin (; born July 23, 1995), known professionally by her stage name Hwasa (; sometimes stylized as Hwa Sa), is a South Korean singer, songwriter, and television personality. She rose to prominence as a member of the girl group Mamamoo in ...

, born 1995), South Korean singer, member of girl group

Mamamoo Mamamoo (; commonly stylized in all caps) is a South Korean girl group formed and managed by RBW (company), RBW. The group is composed of four members: Solar (singer), Solar, Moonbyul, Wheein, and Hwasa. Known for their strong live vocals, Harm ...

* An Hye-jin (born 1998), South Korean professional volleyball player * Ahn Hyeon-beom (born 1994), South Korean footballer * Ahn Hyo-jin (stage name Elly, born 1991), South Korean rapper, member of girl group

* Ahn Hyo-seop, (born 1995), Canadian actor * Ahn Hyun-suk (born 1984), South Korean former badminton player * An Ik-soo (born 1965), South Korean football manager and former player * An Il-bom (born 1990), North Korean footballer * Ahn Il-joo (born 1988), South Korean professional footballer * Ahn In-sook (born 1952), South Korean actress * Ahn In-Young (born 1956), South Korean scientist, first South Korean woman to visit Antarctica, first Asian woman to become an Antarctic station leader * Ahn Jae-chang (born 1972), South Korean retired badminton player * Ahn Jae-hong, (born 1986), South Korean actor * Ahn Jae-hwan (1972–2008), South Korean actor * Ahn Jae-hyun, (born 1987), South Korean model and actor * An Jae-hyun (born 1999), South Korean table tennis player * Ahn Jae-mo (born 1979), South Korean actor and singer * An Jae-song (born 1934), South Korean former sport shooter * Ahn Jae-wook (born 1971), South Korean actor and singer * Ahn Ji-ho (footballer) (born 1987), South Korean footballer * Ahn Ji-ho (actor) (born 2004), South Korean actor * Ahn Ji-hwan (born 1969), South Korean voice actor * Ahn Ji-hye (born 1987), South Korean actress * Ahn Ji-hyun (born 1992), South Korean actress * Ahn Ji-young (born 1995), South Korean singer-songwriter, member of

Bolbbalgan4 BOL4 (), also known as Bolbbalgan4 or , is a South Korean musical act formed by Shofar Music in 2016. They appeared on '' Superstar K6'' in 2014 before signing a contract with their current agency. BOL4 was originally a duo consisting of Ahn Ji-y ...

* Ahn Jin-beom (born 1992), South Korean footballer * Ahn Jin-hui (born 1991), South Korean ice hockey player * Ahn Jin-soo (born 1973), South Korean cross-country skier * Joo Won Ahn (born 1993), South Korean ballet dancer * Ahn Joon-soo (born 1998), South Korean footballer * Ahn Joon-sung (born 1997), South Korean judoka * An Jung-geun (1879–1910), Korean independence activist * Ahn Jung-hwan (born 1976), South Korean former professional footballer * Ahn Jung-hyo (1941–2023), South Korean novelist and translator * Kyongwon Ahn (born 1937), South Korean taekwondo master * Mikhail An (1952–1979), Soviet footballer * Ahn Nae-sang (born 1964), South Korean actor *

Philip Ahn Philip Ahn (; March 29, 1905 – February 28, 1978) was an American actor and activist of Korean descent. With over 180 film and television credits between 1935 and 1978, he was one of the most recognizable and prolific Asian-American char ...

(1905–1978), Korean-American actor and activist *

Priscilla Ahn Priscilla Ahn (born Priscilla Natalie Hartranft; March 9, 1984) is an American singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. She released her single "Dream" from her debut album, '' A Good Day'', produced by Joey Waronker for EMI's Blue Note Rec ...

(born 1984), American musician * An Sae-hee (born 1991), South Korean professional footballer * Ahn Sahng-hong (1918–1985), South Korean religious leader * Ahn Sanghak (born 1962), South Korean poet * An Sang-hyun (born 1986), South Korean footballer * Ahn Sang-soo (Changwon mayor) (born 1946), South Korean politician * Ahn Sang-soo (Incheon mayor) (born 1946), South Korean politician * Ahn Sang-soo (typographic designer) (born 1952), South Korean leading typographic designer * Ahn Sang-yeong (1938–2004), South Korean politician, former mayor of Busan * An Se-young (born 2002), South Korean badminton player *

Ahn Seo-hyun Ahn Seo-hyun (; born January 12, 2004) is a South Korean actress. She began her career as a child actress in 2008, and has since appeared in films and television series such as '' The Housemaid'' (2010), '' Single-minded Dandelion'' (2014) and ...

(born 2004), South Korean actress * Ahn Shi-hyun (born 1984), South Korean professional golfer *

Ahn So-hee Ahn So-hee (; born June 27, 1992), known mononymously Sohee, is a South Korean actress and former singer. She is a former member of the South Korean girl group Wonder Girls. She is best known for her performance in the film ''Train to Busan'' ( ...

(born 1992), South Korean actress and former singer, former member of girl group

Wonder Girls Wonder Girls () was a South Korean girl group formed by JYP Entertainment. The group debuted in February 2007 with the single "Irony (Wonder Girls song), Irony" and 5 members: Park Ye-eun, Yeeun, Sunye, Sunmi, Hyuna, and Ahn So-hee, Sohee. Aft ...

* Ahn Sol-bin (born 1997), South Korean singer, member of girl group

Laboum Laboum (; stylized in all caps) is a South Korean girl group currently under Interpark, Interpark Music Plus, the group consists of: Jeong So-yeon, Soyeon, Jinyea, Haein and Ahn Sol-bin, Solbin, original members, Yulhee left in 2017 followed by ...

Ahn Soo-kyeong Ahn Soo-kyeong (also ''An Su-Gyeong'', ; born January 9, 1987, in Jeju City) is a South Korean sport shooter. She won a gold medal in the women's air pistol at the 2003 ISSF World Cup in Fort Benning, Georgia, United States, accumulating a scor ...

(born 1987), South Korean sport shooter * Ahn Sook-sun (born 1949), South Korean pansori singer * An Su-gil (1911–1977), Korean novelist and journalist * Ahn Suk-hwan (born 1959), South Korean actor * Ahn Sung-jae (born 1982), South Korean chef *

Ahn Sung-ki Ahn Sung-ki (; born January 1, 1952) is a South Korean actor. One of the country's most respected actors, he has appeared in more than 130 films during his career of over 60 years. He received Bog-wan Order of Cultural Merit in 2005 Culture Day. ...

(born 1952), South Korean actor * Ahn Sung-nam (born 1984), South Korean footballer * Ahn Tae-eun (born 1985), South Korean footballer * An Tae-hyun (born 1993), South Korean footballer * Ahn Tae-jin (born 1972), South Korean film director and filmmaker * An Tae-song (born 1993), North Korean footballer * An To-ch'i (?–1363), Goryeo eunuch * Tony Ahn (born 1978), South Korean singer, member of boy band H.O.T. * Viktor An (born 1985), South Korean-born Russian short-track speed skating coach * Ahn Woo-yeon (born 1991), South Korean actor * Ahn Yang-ok (born 1957), South Korean academic * Ahn Ye-eun (born 1992), South Korean singer-songwriter * An Ye-seul (born 1995), South Korean singer * Ahn Yeon-seok (stage name Yoo Yeon-seok, born 1984), South Korean actor * Ahn Yong-joon (born 1987), South Korean actor * Ahn Yoo-jin (born 1968), South Korean choreographer, dancer, university professor * Yoon Ahn (born 1976), Korean American businesswoman and fashion designer * Ahn Young-kyu (born 1989), South Korean footballer * Ahn Young-mi (born 1983), South Korean comedian * An Yu-jin (born 2003), South Korean singer, member of girl group IVE

References

External links

Sunheung Ahn Association
{{surname, An Korean-language surnames