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Maeng (맹, 孟) is the practiced surname of the Shinchang Maeng Clan(신창 맹씨,新昌孟氏) of Asan, Korea and dates back to 888 A.D. The clan has a long history in Korean politics and culture. The remaining structures of their estate, Haengdan House (맹씨 행단, 孟氏 杏壇), makeup the oldest private residence in Korea (Historic Site No. 109). Among the rarest of Korean surnames, it does not share the surname with other clans, and has no other branches. According to the Korean National Statistical Office in 2000, there are approximately 20,219 members of the clan. According to U.S. Census data (2000), there are about 240 that live in the United States.

Usage and Variations
The surname Maeng is used in Korea, China, Sweden and Germany. The Korean surname is pronounced m-ay-ng (ˈmeɪŋ). The Swedish pronounciation is pronounced similarly, but spelled Mæng, with the grapheme æ. The Chinese surname is spelled Meng, and pronounced m-u-ng (ˈmʌŋ). The German surname Meng is shortened from Mengendorfer, but pronounced similar to the Korean and Swedish pronunciations. Variations of English spelling are Maeng, Mæng, Mang, Meang, Maing, Meng, and Maeing.

Chinese and Japanese Interaction
Koreans adopted the surnames of popular Zhou Dynasty Chinese Confucian philosophers, which is why over half the population of Koreans use the Kim, Lee, Park, Choi, or Jung surnames. This causes some confusion as to whether or not Koreans intermarried or migrated from early China, but genetic studies show Koreans having low genetic similarity to the Chinese. Archaelogical evidence shows that waves of migration may have come from Southern and Central Siberia starting in the Stone Age.

During the early 20th century, many Koreans were transplanted into Northern China as Japanese citizens in a strategy to expand Imperial Japanese territory, resulting in the beginning of the Korean diaspora. This causes even more confusion, as China includes Koreans as part of its modern day minority population.

Notably, Korean surnames prior to the 9th century exist in Japan today, from mass waves of marriage, migration, refugees, exiles, kidnappings, colonization, and conscription. Likewise, Japanese surnames exist in Korea from Japanese colonists and the Sōshi-kaimei policy during the annexation of Korea. Koreans and Japanese also have an nearly identical genetic makeup, which allowed for some to simply change their name and move between countries prior to the 20th century.

History
It is thought that the surname originated in the Middle East, and migrated into China. In historical texts, it states there being a man named Meng Song during the Zhou Dynasty (1046–256 BCE), and his descendents Meng Jia and and famous Confucian philosopher Meng Ke (孟子), also known as Mencius (372 – 289 BCE).

The Maeng surname was most likely adopted in honor of Mencius. The earliest mention of the Maeng surname in Korea was 600 years after Mencius, in the second year of the reign of Queen Jinseong (887-897 A.D.) during the Shilla Dynasty. Maeng Soong Hoon (맹승훈, 孟承訓), known to be the 39th generation descendent in the clan history, settled down in Shilla as a doctor after returning from Tang Dynasty China. The 51st descendent held a ministerial position in the Shilla government and he recorded the clan bon-gwan (본관), or hometown, as Shinchang.

Maeng Saseong
The family generally regards Maeng Saseong (1360-1438) as the modern progenitor of the clan. He married the daughter of General Choi Yeong, and received an estate in Asan, Korea from his father in law. Maeng Saseong named the house Haengdan, meaning "House of the Gingko Trees" after Confucious, who taught students near gingko trees, which in Asian tradition symbolizes learning. Maeng Saseong setup a school at the estate, and planted two gingko trees which are still standing after 600 years.

Famous for his governing ability, poetry and filial piety to his father Maeng Huido, he helped transition the government during the founding of Joseon. Saseong served two posts of first and second Royal Prime Minister, or Yeonguijeong, under King Sejong the Great (1418-50). He wrote many texts on philosophy, poetry, and government policy. He also co-authored the Paldojiriji, a geographical text on Korea.

Haengdan House is the oldest private residence in Korea, dating back to the 1330's. The anchae (inner quarters) were repaired in 1482, and the entire estate renovated in 1642. The anchae segment of the estate was identified by historians as having Koryo Dynasty woodworking in 1970. The government purchased some of the estate, and had some buildings demolished. The family still maintains the grounds and ancestral shrine. Haengdan House is listed as protected cultural historic site, and frequented by tourists in Asan, famous for its hot springs and spas, as well as the house of Admiral Yi Sunshin, one of the greatest naval commanders in world history.

The Shinchang Maeng clan held various aristocratic titles and government positons until the prohibition of peerage in 1947. Although the clan recognizes certain types of peerage within the family, it is not recognized by the Korean government. Currently Maeng Hyung-kyu (맹형규) serves as Public Administration and Security Minister of South Korea.

Film, play, dramas
Playwright Oh Yeong-jin's "A Happy Day of Jinsa Maeng" (1942) is romantic comedy about Jinsa Maeng, a merchant, who seeks to wed his daughter to a wealthy nobleman's heir. When rumors that the heir is lame arise, Jinsa convinces his maid to go in his daughter's stead.

The film adaptation of "A Happy Day of Jinsa Maeng" was called "The Wedding Day", and was the first Korean film recognized in a foreign film festival at the 8th Berlin Film Festival and the Sydney Film Festival.


 * A Happy Day of Jinsa Maeng - stage play, 1942
 * The Wedding Day - film, 1956
 * Golden Age of the Maeng Family (맹가네 전성시대) - TV drama, 2002
 * My Rosy Life - TV drama character, Maeng Sunyi, 2005
 * Dream - TV drama character, Maeng Do Pil, 2009
 * Pink Lipstick - TV drama characters, Maeng Ho Geol, Maeng Seo Jin, 2010

Notable Individuals

 * Maeng Saseong (맹사성) - Royal Prime Minister of Joseon (1360-1438)
 * Maeng Hyung-Kyu (맹형규) - Minister of Public Administration and Security
 * Gina Maeng - Singer
 * Yuna Maeng - Singer
 * Joon Woo Maeng - Formula Drift Driver
 * Maeng Sang Hoon (맹상훈) - Actor
 * Maeng Se Chang (맹세창) - Actor