안동 권씨(安東 權氏) — The Kwon clan seated at Andong, North Gyeongsang, said to venerate founder Kwon Haeng as one of the Three Grand Masters of Andong; a representative distinguished family.
The Kwon clan seated at Andong, North Gyeongsang, said to venerate founder Kwon Haeng as one of the Three Grand Masters of Andong; a representative distinguished family. In the 2015 Census the 안동 권씨 clan numbered about 696,317 people, one of Korea's major surnames and clans. Even among people surnamed 권, a different clan seat (bon-gwan, 안동) means a different lineage. New to these terms? See the bon-gwan, pa & hangnyeol guide.
Chumil-gong-pa, Bogya-gong-pa, Buhojang-gong-pa, Jwayun-gong-pa, Bujeong-gong-pa, Sijung-gong-pa, Byeoljang-gong-pa, Dongjeong-gong-pa, Geomgyo-gong-pa, Sujung-gong-pa, Geupsajung-gong-pa, Jungyun-gong-pa, Gungigam-gong-pa, Jeongjo-gong-pa, Hojang-gong-pa
The Chumil-gong branch descends from Kwon Su-pyeong (權守平, ?-1250), tenth-generation descendant of the founder Kwon Haeng (權幸). He rose to deputy commissioner of the Privy Council (chumirwon busa) under King Gojong of Goryeo, and the Goryeo-sa biographies record his integrity: he farmed another man's land and returned it intact when the owner came back.
It is counted as the largest of the fifteen Andong Kwon branches. Its members include Yeongga Prince-Consort Kwon Bu (權溥), the late-Goryeo/early-Joseon scholar Kwon Geun (權近), his son Kwon Je (權踶) and grandson Kwon Ram (權擥), the chief state councillor Kwon Cheol (權轍) under King Seonjo, and his son, Commander-in-Chief Kwon Yul (權慄).
Kwon Bu's father Kwon Dan (1228-1311) served as Chansaeng-sa, and the lineage of Queen Jeonghui, consort of King Sejo, is sometimes traced back to Kwon Bu's line. In Banghak-dong, Dobong-gu, Seoul, descendants such as Kwon Jeong-ju are said to have settled as a clan village, though redevelopment left no trace. Generation counts vary by source, so check with your own genealogy.
The Bogya-gong branch descends from Kwon Su-hong (權守洪), who like Kwon Su-pyeong belonged to the tenth generation from the founder. It is counted as the second largest branch after the Chumil-gong branch.
His grandson Kwon Chaek (權頙) served as cheomui pyeongni, and Kwon Chaek's son Kwon Han-gong (權漢功) became chief minister of the Chancellery (docheomui jeongseung) and was enfeoffed as Yecheon Prince-Consort. The early-Joseon chief councillor Kwon Jung-hwa (權仲和) and Kwon Beol (權橃), who served as right associate councillor under Kings Jungjong and Injong, are also counted among its members.
The Digital Andong Culture Encyclopedia says most Kwon living in Andong belong to this branch. Kwon In, a descendant of Kwon Su-hong, gave up office after Joseon's founding and settled at Songpa (Gyo-ri) in Seohu; by the time of Kwon Sa-bin (1449-1535) the family moved to Dochon-ri in Bukhu, where his son Kwon Beol moved on to Yugok-ri (Dakshil village) in Bonghwa and other sons to Jeogok-ri in Yecheon. Kwon Gi, compiler of the Yeongga-ji, and Yi Hwang's disciple Kwon Ho-mun are also introduced in this line.
The Buhojang-gong branch descends from Kwon Si-jung (權時中), tenth-generation descendant of the founder Kwon Haeng. The name comes from buhojang (副戶長), a local clerk office of Goryeo, and it is one of the fifteen branches recognized by the Andong Kwon clan association.
Modern members include the politicians Kwon Jeong-dal (權正達) and Kwon Jung-dong (權重東).
A Seoju-gong line of this branch is described as settled at Gagok-ri, Pungcheon, Andong: Kwon Hang (born 1403 in Pyeonghae) married into the Pungsan Ryu family and settled there, and descendants include Kwon Ju, who was killed in the Gapja purge while Royal Secretary, and the scholar Kwon Gu (Byeonggok, 1672-1749). Some live in Sinseok-ri, Namseon. Lineage classification may vary by source.
The Jwayun-gong branch descends from Kwon Ji-jeong (權至正), tenth-generation descendant of the founder. He is said to have served as a local headman (hojang) in Goryeo, and his son Kwon Se-wi (權世位) as a jeongyong byeoljang officer.
Kwon Se-wi's sixth-generation descendant Kwon Jin (權軫, 1357-1435) served as minister of punishments and of personnel and became a state councillor under King Sejong. Together with the Chumil-gong, Bogya-gong and Sijung-gong branches, it is counted among the branches that produced many notable figures.
The Bujeong-gong branch descends from Kwon Tong-ui (權通義), known as Bujeong-gong in Goryeo, and split off at the tenth generation from the founder.
Its best-known members are Hwasan Prince-Consort Kwon Jeon (權專), father of Queen Hyeondeok (consort of King Munjong and mother of King Danjong), and his son Kwon Ja-sin (權自愼), who served as minister of rites.
According to the Digital Andong Culture Encyclopedia, Kwon Jeon (Gyeonghye-gong, 1371-1441) was a son of Kwon Baek-jong, fifth-generation descendant of the branch founder Kwon Tong-ui; the family was devastated when Danjong was deposed, but survivors settled in places such as Gunwi. In Andong the branch lives around Gaya-ri, Isang-ri and Juha-ri in Waryong, and Yi Hwang's disciple Kwon Dae-gi, his son Kwon U and the Yeongjo-era scholar Kwon Sang-il (1679-1760) are introduced in this line.
The Sijung-gong branch descends from Kwon In-ga (權仁可), tenth-generation descendant of the founder, and is also called the In-ga branch after him. The Hwacheon-gun branch is a sub-branch of this line.
Its members include Kwon Ham, a Jwari merit subject and minister of personnel under King Seongjong; Kwon Sang-ha (權尙夏), disciple of Song Si-yeol and a central figure of the Giho school; his younger brother Kwon Sang-yu (權尙游), minister of personnel; and Kwon Don-in (權敦仁), chief state councillor under King Heonjong.
Kwon Don-in is introduced as a fifth-generation descendant of Kwon Sang-ha. Namuwiki says this branch uses a five-element sequence for generation names unlike other branches, which needs verification. In Andong, descendants of Kwon Geon of this branch are said to live in Gwangyeon-ri, Iljik-myeon.
The Byeoljang-gong branch descends from Kwon Yeong-jeong (權英正), tenth-generation descendant of the founder.
The Andong Kwon Seonghwa genealogy of 1476, regarded as the oldest extant Korean genealogy, records only three of today's fifteen branches: the Chumil-gong, Bogya-gong and Byeoljang-gong branches. This branch is therefore known as one whose lineage was documented early.
The Dongjeong-gong branch descends from Kwon Che-dal, tenth-generation descendant of the founder. Sources write the hanja of his name differently, as 權逮達 or 權棌達.
Modern members include Kwon Jung-hwi (權重輝), president of Seoul National University; Kwon O-gi (權五琦), deputy prime minister and minister of national unification; and Kwon Young-jin (權泳臻), mayor of Daegu.
In Andong descendants are said to be scattered across Gumi-ri in Namseon, Yonggye-ri in Gilan and Magok-ri in Pungsan. The founder's name is Kwon Che-dal in the Daejonghoe and Wikipedia and 權採達 in Namuwiki.
The Geomgyo-gong branch descends from Kwon Cheok (權倜). While most Andong Kwon branches stem from the founder's grandson Kwon Chaek (權冊), this branch comes from the line of Kwon Ryun (權綸), another son of Kwon In-haeng, continuing through Kwon Eung-hwa (權應和).
Modern members include the National Assembly members Kwon Young-woo (權寧禹) and Kwon O-eul (權五乙).
In Andong descendants of Kwon Jun of this branch are said to live in Galjeon-ri, Pungcheon.
The Sujung-gong-pa descends from Kwon Su-jung (權守中), tenth-generation descendant of founder Kwon Haeng, and is one of the fifteen branches listed by the Andong Kwon Daejonghoe.
The Sujung-gong branch is classed as the senior (jongpa) line. Wikipedia's branch list names Kwon U-jung as its representative figure.
Generation counts and hanja vary by source; check with your own genealogy.
The Geupsajung-gong-pa descends from Kwon Hyeong-yun (權衡允), tenth-generation descendant of founder Kwon Haeng, and is one of the fifteen branches listed by the Andong Kwon Daejonghoe.
The name appears to come from the Goryeo office title geupsajung (給事中). Namuwiki lists modern figures such as the politician Kwon No-gap (Seonghaeng line), but lineage labels should be checked against the genealogy.
Generation counts and hanja vary by source; check with your own genealogy.
The Jungyun-gong-pa descends from Kwon Suk-won (權叔元), tenth-generation descendant of founder Kwon Haeng, and is one of the fifteen branches listed by the Andong Kwon Daejonghoe.
Its name is presumed to relate to a Goryeo jungyun-grade office, but the origin of the name was not confirmed in sources.
Generation counts and hanja vary by source; check with your own genealogy.
The Gungigam-gong-pa descends from Kwon Sa-bal (權思拔), tenth-generation descendant of founder Kwon Haeng, and is one of the fifteen branches listed by the Andong Kwon Daejonghoe.
The name appears to derive from the Gungigam (Weapons Office). No notable members were confirmed.
Generation counts and hanja vary by source; check with your own genealogy.
The Jeongjo-gong-pa descends from Kwon Dae-ui (權大宜), tenth-generation descendant of founder Kwon Haeng, and is one of the fifteen branches listed by the Andong Kwon Daejonghoe.
Namuwiki writes this branch together with "Gwangseok-gong-pa", and the Digital Andong and Dobong encyclopedias list it as Gwangseok-pa, so the two names are treated as the same branch by some sources.
Generation counts and hanja vary by source; check with your own genealogy.
The Hojang-gong-pa descends from Kwon Chu (權樞), tenth-generation descendant of founder Kwon Haeng, and is one of the fifteen branches listed by the Andong Kwon Daejonghoe.
The name appears to come from hojang, the senior local clerk office of Goryeo. No notable members were confirmed.
Generation counts and hanja vary by source; check with your own genealogy.
Branch divisions vary by lineage and jokbo; confirm your own branch in your family's records.
권행(founder of the Andong Kwon clan; one of the Three Grand Masters of Andong), 권부(Yeongga Buwongun, late Goryeo), 권중화(Chief State Councillor after Joseon's founding), 권근(Yangchon; Iphak doseol), 권제(Right Chansaeng-sa under Sejong), 권람(Left State Councillor under Sejo), 현덕왕후(Queen Hyeondeok, mother of Danjong), 권벌(Chungjae; Dakshil village), 권철(Chief State Councillor), 권율(Commander-in-Chief of the Haengju victory), 권응수(volunteer leader who retook Yeongcheon), 권호문(disciple of Yi Hwang; Songam), 권상하(chief disciple of Song Si-yeol), 권돈인(Chief State Councillor), 권철신·권일신(early Catholic community), 권동진(one of the 33 March 1st representatives), 권오설(June 10 Manse Movement), 권기옥(Korea's first female pilot), 권중현(one of the Five Eulsa Traitors)
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안동 권씨 figures recognized as independence patriots (National Independence Hall / Gonghun public data). Tap a name for the citation.
안동 권씨 figures listed by the Presidential Committee or the Dictionary of Pro-Japanese Collaborators (Minjok Munje Institute).
The Andong Kwon clan (安東 權氏) has its ancestral seat in Andong, North Gyeongsang Province. Its founder Kwon Haeng (權幸) was originally a Silla Kim, but is said to have been granted the surname Kwon (權) for his merit in helping Taejo Wang Geon of Goryeo defeat Gyeon Hwon of Later Baekje.
Kwon Haeng is revered, together with Kim Seon-pyeong and Jang Jeong-pil, as one of the Three Grand Masters (三太師) of Andong. The Andong Kwon clan produced many civil officials and scholars through Goryeo and Joseon, and is also famous for leaving behind the Seonghwabo (1476), one of the earliest surviving genealogies.
Founder Kwon Haeng is described as a local power-holder of Gochang (present-day Andong) with a tradition of descent from the Silla Kim family. With Kim Seon-pyeong and Jang Jeong-pil (written Jang Gil in some sources) he is said to have helped Goryeo's founder defeat Later Baekje forces and received the title of Samhan Byeoksang merit subject and Taesa. Sources give the battle as 927 or 930. The Goryeo-sa is said to record his name as Heunhaeng (昕幸), and the widely told story that King Taejo praised him as skilled at "expedient judgment" (gwondo) and granted him the surname Kwon (權) is best taken as a handed-down tradition.
His tomb is described as on Cheondeungsan in Seonggok-ri, Seohu-myeon, Andong. Some texts also mention that his grandmother was a daughter of Heo Seon-mun of the Yangcheon Heo, and a legend linking one of his descendants to the founder of the Jin dynasty, but these are insufficiently verified traditions. The clan is also called Yeongga Kwon or Hwasan Kwon.
The Taesa Shrine in old-town Andong enshrines the tablets of the three grand masters Kim Seon-pyeong, Kwon Haeng and Jang Jeong-pil and traces back to a shrine of the three merit subjects said to have been built in 983. Rites are held in the second and eighth lunar months, and the shrine is described as lying in Bukmun-dong. Beside the founder's tomb in Seonggok-ri, Seohu-myeon, stand the Kwon Taesa tomb and the Neungdong lodge (Andong Kwon Neungdong Jaesa), described as a nationally designated folk heritage item; the designation name and number differ by source, so check the heritage portal.
The clan flourished around the tenth generation from the founder and split into fifteen branches. The Andong Kwon Daejonghoe lists Sujung-gong (the senior line), Buhojang-gong, Chumil-gong, Bogya-gong, Dongjeong-gong, Jwayun-gong, Byeoljang-gong, Bujeong-gong, Sijung-gong, Geupsajung-gong, Jungyun-gong, Gungigam-gong, Jeongjo-gong (also Gwangseok-gong), Hojang-gong and Geomgyo-gong, plus a separate branch-lineage body. Hanja and names vary somewhat by source. Chumil-gong is the largest and Bogya-gong next, though one account says most Kwon living in Andong itself are Bogya-gong.
The Seonghwabo, published in 1476, is known as the oldest surviving Korean genealogy, with its woodblocks said to be held in the Seoul National University Central Library. The Digital Dobong Culture Encyclopedia says about half of the 1,794 civil-exam graduates from early Joseon to its publication appear in it.
Within Andong, clan villages are described at Gyo-ri in Seohu, Dochon-ri in Bukhu, Gagok-ri in Pungcheon, Juha-ri, Isang-ri and Gaya-ri in Waryong, Imha-ri in Imha and Magok-ri in Pungsan. In the time of Gwon Sa-bin of the Bogya-gong line the family moved from Songpa to Dochon-ri; his son Gwon Beol moved to Yugok-ri (Dakshil village) in Bonghwa, and other sons to Jeogok-ri in Yecheon. Settlements are also described around Yeongdeok (Yeonghae), Gangneung, Suhok-ri in Yangpyeong, Yongdu-dong and Jegi-dong in Seoul, Daejeon, Chungcheong, Honam and Gyeongnam, and before the division also in Hwanghae, Pyeongan and Hamgyeong. In Banghak-dong, Dobong-gu, a Chumil-gong line settled early but redevelopment left no trace of the clan village.
Dakshil village in Bonghwa is a settlement of descendants around the Gwon Beol head house. The Cheongamjeong built by Gwon Beol in 1526 and the Seokcheon valley are described as a scenic site (the designation number differs by source), and the village museum is said to hold items such as the Chungjae diary. Gwon Beol is enshrined at Samgye Seowon. In Andong there are Cheongseong Seowon and Gwanmuldang for Gwon Ho-mun, Dogye Seowon for Gwon Wi, the Bujeong-gong head houses in Waryong and sites in Gagok-ri, Pungcheon; Suguk Seowon in Jipyeong, Yangpyeong is also mentioned. The tombs of Gwon Geun, Gwon Je and Gwon Ram in Bangchuk-ri, Saenggeuk-myeon, Eumseong are described as a North Chungcheong provincial monument.
In Goryeo, after founder Kwon Haeng, Kwon Bu is credited as Yeongga Buwongun with helping introduce Neo-Confucianism. Early Joseon brought Kwon Jung-hwa (Chief State Councillor), Kwon Geun (Iphak doseol), his son Kwon Je and grandson Kwon Ram (Left State Councillor), and Danjong's mother Queen Hyeondeok was also of the clan. In mid-Joseon came Kwon Beol, Chief State Councillor Kwon Cheol, the Haengju hero Kwon Yul, Kwon Eung-su who retook Yeongcheon, and Yi Hwang's disciple Kwon Ho-mun. In late Joseon: Kwon Sang-ha, chief disciple of Song Si-yeol; Chief State Councillor Kwon Don-in; and the brothers Kwon Cheol-sin and Kwon Il-sin of the early Catholic community. In modern times: March 1st representative Kwon Dong-jin, aviator Kwon Gi-ok, and Kwon O-seol of the June 10 movement; Kwon Jung-hyeon is recorded as one of the Five Eulsa Traitors.
The Andong Kwon Daejonghoe (http://andongkwon.org/) is listed with offices at the Andong Kwon Hall, 11 Wangsan-ro 22-gil, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul (tel. 02-2695-2483~4) and at the Hwasu Hall in Taehwa-dong, Andong (tel. 054-854-2256). Contact details may change, so confirm before visiting. A separate Jongbosa site (http://www.andongkwon.or.kr/) is described as offering an online daedongbo; check directly how it can be used.
Wikipedia cites 629,291 Andong Kwon in 2000 and 696,317 in 2015, ranking 11th among clan seats (Namuwiki gives 696,319).
Some sources say that for generations 31 to 40 the generation character comes in the middle of the given name (introduced as Byeong, Jung, Tae, Yeong, O, Hyeok, Sun, Yong, Gu and Seung for generations 31-40), at the end for 41-50, and in the middle again for 51-60, and that some branches use a five-element sequence. These vary by branch and lineage; Wikipedia gives several candidate characters per generation and the Daejonghoe site's table could not be read. Confirm with your own genealogy or lineage association.
For other branch associations, see the Korean E-Jokbo Library clan-association directory.
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