My name is '박정우' (Jeongwoo Park). Since Koreans place their last name first, my surname is '박' (Park). Most Korean surnames are just one syllable. But have you ever wondered how many last names exist in Korea? According to Statistics Korea, there are 5,582 surnames in the country. Yet, something seems odd. You probably know that most Koreans have the last names '김(Kim),' '이(Lee),' or '박(Park).' Are all these people related?
Today, let's dive into the reasons behind this.
The Dominance of Major Surnames
According to Statistics Korea, the percentage of people with the three most common last names in South Korea is as follows:- 김(Kim) : 21.5%
- 이(Lee) : 14.7%
- 박(Park) : 8.4%
Historical Origins
Around the 1st century BC, Korea was divided into three central kingdoms: '고구려(Goguryeo), 백제(Baekje), and 신라(Silla). This period is known as the Three Kingdoms era. The first king of Silla, '박혁거세' (Park Hyeokgeose), is considered the founder of the Park family. Similarly, the fourth king of Silla, '김알지' (Kim Alji), is regarded as the founder of the Kim family. The Lee family held noble status across 고구려, 백제, and 신라, and later became the royal family during the establishment of the '조선' (Joseon Dynasty) in 1392.
In short, '김,' '이,' and '박' were powerful families who held political influence from the Three Kingdoms era.
The Spread of the Three Surnames
In the past, not everyone had a surname. Only royalty and nobles were allowed to have last names, and commoners were usually referred to by just their given names. Having a surname was a symbol of high social status.Over time, especially after the mid-Joseon period, as social classes began to break down, more people were allowed to adopt surnames. A significant turning point came in 1894, when 조선 underwent modernization reforms, abolishing the rigid class system. With this shift, many commoners adopted noble surnames, and the most popular choices were, of course, '김,' '이,' and '박.'
➤ The prevalence of '김,' '이,' and '박' is no coincidence—it’s the result of historical and social factors. It's also worth noting that not everyone with the same last name is related. These surnames spread widely over time, meaning people with the same surname may not share the same ancestry. On the other hand, people with rare surnames might have purer bloodlines, and it’s not uncommon for them to discover they’re distantly related when they talk.
