Hong (Korean surname)

Hong is the common English spelling of 홍, in hanja, it 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 remaining. Hong clans include Namyang, Pungsan, Bugye, and Hongju.

Namyang clan
The biggest clan is Namyang clan whose founder was Hong Eun-yeol in the Goryeo Dynasty. Another founder of this clan was Hong Seon-haeng. Thus, the Namyang Hong clan is unique among Korean surnames in that it includes two separate unrelated family lines.

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 from the past
Famous Koreans from the past with this family name:
 * Hong Beom-do (1868–1943), Korean independence activist
 * Hong Dae-yong (1731-1783), was a Silhak scholar, astronomer, mathematician
 * Hong Gildong, main character of a book attributed to Heo Gyun (1569–1618)
 * Hong Gyeong-nae (1771–1812), a leader of a farmer's revolt during Joseon Dynasty
 * Hong Jin (1877–1946), Korean independence activist, leader of the Korean independence movement
 * Hong Sa-ik (1889–1946), highest-ranking ethnic Korean general in the Imperial Japanese Army, executed for war crimes

Current notable people

 * Hong Ah-reum (born 1989), South Korean actress
 * Hong Bi-ra (born 1996), South Korean actress
 * Hong Byung-hee (born 1971), South Korean chemist
 * Hong Chul (born 1990), South Korean footballer
 * Hong Da-bin (stage name DPR Live, born 1993), South Korean rapper
 * Hong Eun-hee (born 1980), South Korean actress
 * Euny Hong, Korean American journalist and author
 * Francis Hong Yong-ho (1906–?), Roman Catholic prelate in North Korea
 * Gene Hong, Korean American actor, producer, and screenwriter
 * Hong Hei-Kyung (born 1959), Korean-American operatic soprano
 * Hong Hwa-ri (born 2005), South Korean actress
 * Hong In-young (born 1985), South Korean actress
 * Jay Hong (born 1986), South Korean singer-songwriter and producer
 * Hong Jeong-ho (born 1989), South Korean footballer
 * Hong Jin-kyung (born 1977), South Korean entrepreneur, model, actress and comedian
 * Hong Jin-young (born 1985), South Korean trot singer
 * Hong Jong-hyun (born 1990), South Korean model and actor
 * Hong Joon-pyo (born 1953), South Korean politician and former prosecutor
 * Joshua Hong (born 1995), Korean American singer, member of boy band Seventeen
 * Hong Jung-eun (born 1974), one-half of South Korean screenwriting duo Hong Sisters
 * Hong Jung-wook (born 1970), South Korean entrepreneur, businessman, and politician
 * Hong Kyung (born 1996), South Korean actor
 * Hong Kyung-min (born 1976), South Korean singer
 * Hong Mi-ran (born 1977), one-half of South Korean screenwriting duo Hong Sisters
 * Hong Myung-bo (born 1969), South Korean footballer and manager
 * Nansook Hong (born 1966), daughter-in-law of Sun Myung Moon
 * Hong Sang-soo (born 1960), South Korean film director and screenwriter
 * Hong Seo-young (born 1995), South Korean actress, singer, model
 * Hong Seok-cheon (born 1971), South Korean actor famous for publicly coming out
 * Hong Seok-hyun (born 1949), South Korean media corporation executive
 * Seokju Hong (born 2003), South Korean footballer
 * Hong Seong-chan (born 1997), South Korean tennis player
 * Hong Seung-hee (born 1997), South Korean actress
 * Hong Si-young (stage name Giriboy, born 1991), South Korean rapper
 * Sin Cha Hong (born 1943), South Korean avant-garde dancer
 * Hong Song-nam (1929–2009), former premier of North Korea
 * Hong Sook-ja (born 1933), South Korean diplomat, writer, and first female presidential candidate
 * Hong Sung-mi (stage name Dana, born 1986), South Korean singer, former member of girl group The Grace
 * Hong Ye-eun (stage name Jvcki Wai, born 1996), South Korean rapper
 * Hong Ye-ji (born 2002), South Korean actress
 * Hong Yeo-jin (born 1958), South Korean actress and beauty pageant titleholder
 * Hong Yo-seob (born 1955), South Korean actor
 * Hong Yong-Jo (born 1982), North Korean footballer