Han () is the typical romanized spelling of the Korean family name ÃÂÂ. Other alternate spellings for include Hahn and Haan. In hanja, it translates to "KingâÂÂ, âÂÂKingdomâÂÂ, âÂÂcountry" and/or âÂÂKorean peopleâÂÂ. Han is the oldest name in Korea.
As with all the Korean family names, the holders of the Han surname are divided into different patrilineal clans, or lineages, known in Korean as bon-gwan, based on their ancestral seat. Most such clans trace their lineage back to a specific founder. This system was at its height under the Joseon dynasty, but it remains in use today. There are approximately 241 such clans claimed by South Koreans.
The Cheongju Han clan is considered one of the noble clans of Korea along with the Gyeongju Kim, Gimhae Kim, Miryang Park, Gyeongju Seok, Pyongyang Ko, and Jeonju Yi clans. The founder of the Cheongju Han clan was Han Ran, who lived during the era of Wang KÃ Ân.
During the Joseon dynasty, the Cheongju Han clan produced 16 queens and were considered the highest of the yangban class, next to the Jeonju Yi clan. The clan provided the Joseon dynasty with the biggest number of generals, including Han Myà Ânghoe, who was one Joseon's greatest generals and the father of Queen Jangsun (first wife of Yejong) and Queen Gonghye (first wife of Seongjong).
The Danju Han clan was founded by Han Chong-rye, in the 10th century AD.
Its representative person is the calligrapher Han Ho.
Han Ye, the founder of the Goksan Han clan, came to Goryeo from the Song dynasty, in 1206. His descendants include Han Yi-won (éÂÂ以åÂÂ), who lived during the reign of Sukjong of Joseon, and excelled in poetry and epidemiology and Han Yeo-yu (éÂÂæ±ÂæÂÂ), Han Si-yu (éÂÂæ¯æÂÂ), and Han Mun-gun (éÂÂæÂÂÃ¥ÂÂ¥), who gained fame as scholars.
In 2015, there were 6,266 members of Goksan Han clan in South Korea.