김녕 김씨(金寧 金氏) — A surname said to descend from King Gyeongsun of Silla through the founder Kim Si-heung. Its seat, Gimnyeong, is explained as an old name for the Gimhae area. It divides into 34 branches under the two middle-ancestors Kim Hyang and Kim Sun, with the Chungui-gong branch described as the largest.
A surname said to descend from King Gyeongsun of Silla through the founder Kim Si-heung. Its seat, Gimnyeong, is explained as an old name for the Gimhae area. It divides into 34 branches under the two middle-ancestors Kim Hyang and Kim Sun, with the Chungui-gong branch described as the largest. In the 2015 Census the 김녕 김씨 clan numbered about 290,092 people, one of Korea's major surnames and clans. Even among people surnamed 김, a different clan seat (bon-gwan, 김녕) means a different lineage. New to these terms? See the bon-gwan, pa & hangnyeol guide.
Old records and jokbo often write or read "Gimnyeong" as "Gimyeong", so the clan is also called the Gimyeong Kim. When the seat's place name became Gimhae in late Goryeo, the clan was for a time called the "Later Gimhae Kim", but to avoid confusion with the Gimhae Kim descended from King Suro, it is said to have fixed its seat as Gimnyeong under King Gojong of Joseon (reportedly in 1865).
Its founder is Kim Si-heung (金時興), said to descend from King Gyeongsun of Silla. He was enfeoffed as Lord Gimnyeong for suppressing the Myocheong rebellion under King Injong of Goryeo, and his descendants took Gimnyeong as their seat.
Main lines include the Sirang-gong, Chungui-gong, Yeongdonnyeong-gong, Moksa-gong and Chungjeong-gong branches.
Sirang-gong-pa (Bongsang Daebu Yebu Sirang-gong-pa), Chungui-gong-pa, Yeongdonnyeong-gong-pa, Moksa-gong-pa, Chungjeong-gong-pa, Yeonggwang Gunsu-gong-pa, Byeongjo Chamui-gong-pa, Dongjisa-gong-pa, Chunggyeong-gong-pa, Chungsuk-gong-pa, Songam-gong-pa, Bunseonggun-pa, Sangseo-gong-pa, Jikjehak-gong-pa, Dosunchalsa-gong-pa
The Sirang-gong branch (侍郞公派) is formally the Bongsang Daebu Yebu Sirang-gong branch (奉常大夫禮部侍郎公派), usually shortened to Sirang-gong by the clan association; older writings also render it "Gimyeong Siryang-gong". Its founder is Kim Mun-baek (金文伯), recorded in the 5th generation of the Gimnyeong Kim.
The name comes from the founder's Goryeo rank and office:
It is described as splitting off in the 5th generation alongside the Sangseo-gong (Kim Mun-hui) and Jikjehak-gong (Kim Mun-yeop) branches.
Kim Jung-won (金重源), who served as vice minister of punishments (hyeongbu sirang) in Goryeo, is also called "Sirang-gong" and is recorded either as a great-grandson of the founder or as a son of Kim Geuk-se. Some writings name him as the founder of this branch, but the clan association's branch table gives Kim Mun-baek.
Branch lines and generations may differ by lineage record; check your own family jokbo.
The Chungui-gong branch descends from Kim Mun-gi (金文起, 1399-1456), pen name Baekchon, an early-Joseon official who rose to minister of works and died a martyr in the plot to restore King Danjong; he is honored alongside the Six Martyred Ministers. His posthumous name is Chungui, and he is said to have been restored in 1731.
His son Kim Hyeon-seok, grandson Kim Chung-ju and the righteous-army leader Kim Do-hyeon (a 15th-generation descendant) follow. President Kim Young-sam is also said to descend from this branch, which is described as by far the largest, about 80% of the clan by one note. It has its own grand association.
Branch lines and generations may differ by lineage record; check your own family jokbo.
The Yeongdonnyeong-gong branch descends from Kim Jun (金遵, pen name Manjidang), a 10th-generation descendant of the founder. He served as minister of war under Sejong and rose to yeongdonnyeong busa, and is said to have declined an offer of chief state councillor from Sejo.
After Danjong's fall he is said to have left office and settled around Gasan-ri, Gwayeok-myeon, Goheung (Heungyang); one account says he followed his father-in-law An Sung-seon there. A pond called Manjidang is associated with the place.
Branch lines and generations may differ by lineage record; check your own family jokbo.
The Moksa-gong branch descends from Kim Hyeong (金硎), who served as magistrate (moksa) of Jinju. In generation-name tables it is also written as the Jinju Moksa-gong Hyeong branch (晋州牧使公 硎派).
In the clan's branch chart it is placed in the same generation as Kim Jun of the Yeongdonnyeong-gong branch, as a sibling line.
The Chungjeong-gong branch descends from Kim Jun-yeong (金俊榮, pen name Dongak). He is said to have escorted King Seonjo's flight in the Imjin War, been made a meritorious subject and Lord Bunseong, received the posthumous name Chungjeong and a loyalty gate.
Some sources link the Bunseong Kim clan, which split off from the Gimnyeong Kim, to this branch, while the Bunseonggun branch is also listed separately under Kim Eung-su; sources differ on how the two relate.
Branch lines and generations may differ by lineage record; check your own family jokbo.
The Yeonggwang Gunsu-gong-pa descends from Kim Dae-yeong (金大榮). It is listed among the lines descending from Kim Hyang. Generation and details should be checked in lineage records.
Branch lines and generations may differ by lineage record; check your own family jokbo.
The Byeongjo Chamui-gong-pa descends from Kim Hu-yeong (金後榮). It is listed among the lines descending from Kim Hyang. Generation and details should be checked in lineage records.
Branch lines and generations may differ by lineage record; check your own family jokbo.
The Dongjisa-gong-pa descends from Kim Hui-yeong (金希榮). It is listed among the lines descending from Kim Hyang. Generation and details should be checked in lineage records.
Branch lines and generations may differ by lineage record; check your own family jokbo.
The Chunggyeong-gong-pa descends from Kim Gyeong-se (金景世, pen name Gyeeun). He is said to have fought the Qing at Gongju in 1636 and fallen at the Battle of Gwangju; his posthumous name is Chunggyeong and he received a loyalty gate.
Branch lines and generations may differ by lineage record; check your own family jokbo.
The Chungsuk-gong-pa descends from Kim Heun (金欣, pen name Geumeun). After passing the military examination he is said to have died in the Second Manchu invasion; he was posthumously made minister of war with the name Chungsuk.
Branch lines and generations may differ by lineage record; check your own family jokbo.
The Songam-gong-pa descends from Kim Jil (金秩, pen name Songam). He is said to have retired to Mt. Dogo after Goryeo fell and declined King Taejo's summons as minister of rites. His son Kim Ik-saeng is said to have received a filial gate in 1405.
Branch lines and generations may differ by lineage record; check your own family jokbo.
The Bunseonggun-pa descends from Kim Eung-su (金應壽, courtesy name Namno). He is said to have escorted Seonjo in the Imjin War, been named a third-class Hoseong subject in 1604 and Lord Bunseong, and posthumously made chief state councillor in 1605. It has its own grand association; its relation to the Chungjeong-gong line differs by source.
Branch lines and generations may differ by lineage record; check your own family jokbo.
The Sangseo-gong-pa descends from Kim Mun-hui (金文熙). It is listed among the lines descending from Kim Sun and described as splitting in the 5th generation alongside the Sirang-gong and Jikjehak-gong branches.
Branch lines and generations may differ by lineage record; check your own family jokbo.
The Jikjehak-gong-pa descends from Kim Mun-yeop (金文燁). It is listed among the lines descending from Kim Sun and described as splitting in the 5th generation alongside the Sirang-gong and Sangseo-gong branches.
Branch lines and generations may differ by lineage record; check your own family jokbo.
The Dosunchalsa-gong-pa descends from Kim Mun-je (金文齊). It is listed among the lines descending from Kim Sun. Generation and details should be checked in lineage records.
Branch lines and generations may differ by lineage record; check your own family jokbo.
Branch divisions vary by lineage and jokbo; confirm your own branch in your family's records.
김영삼(14th President of Korea), 김문기(one of the Six Martyred Ministers of Joseon), 김도현(late-Joseon righteous-army leader), 김법린(3rd Minister of Education), 김재규(Director of the Korean Central Intelligence Agency), 김석수(34th Prime Minister)
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The founder is Kim Si-heung (金時興), said to descend from King Gyeongsun of Silla. Sources differ on the generation count: an 8th-generation descendant of Gyeongsun, or a 9th-generation descendant of Gyeongsun's fourth son Kim Eun-yeol, with the line reaching back to Kim Alji. He is said to have passed the civil examination under King Injong of Goryeo, held posts including vice minister of war, and risen to pyeongjang (senior minister) for helping put down the Myocheong and Jo Gwang rebellion. His posthumous name is given as Munyeol (文烈); sources disagree on whether his title was Lord Gimnyeong or another lordship.
Two lines, Kim Hyang (金珦) and Kim Sun (金珣), are honored as middle-ancestors, and the later branches descend from them.
Gimnyeong is generally explained as an old name for the Gimhae area in South Gyeongsang. As the place name shifted from Geumgwan to Gimhae, briefly to Gimnyeong in Goryeo, and back to Gimhae, the clan was called the "later Kim" to set it apart from the Gimhae Kim. Efforts followed to restore Gimnyeong as the seat; dates differ by source, including a 1849 petition led by Kim Chi-gyu and approvals by the Ministry of Rites in 1865 or 1885. Some families are said to keep using Gimhae Kim to this day.
Because "寧" was also read "yeong", the clan is called Gimyeong Kim in old writings; the related Geumnyeong Kim shares the same roots.
The 2015 census counted 290,092 Gimnyeong Kim, and 577,793 when the Geumnyeong Kim (287,701) are added. Some sources combine the two, so check the basis.
Clan villages are listed in Nogok-dong (Buk-gu, Daegu) and Gunwi, Gyeongju, Gimcheon, Sangju, Jinju, Uiryeong, Hapcheon, Gochang, Sunchang, Goheung, Hampyeong, Muan, Goesan, Nonsan and Pyeongchang, and formerly around Singye in Hwanghae.
Kim Hyang, Si-heung's son, is said to have been made a meritorious subject for suppressing Yi Ja-gyeom's rebellion, with the posthumous name Wonjeong. Later figures such as Kim Geuk-se, Kim Jung-won and Kim Mun-je are recorded as officials. In late Goryeo, Kim Jil (pen name Songam) is said to have retired to Mt. Dogo after the dynasty fell and declined King Taejo's summons as minister of rites. Much of this period rests on clan-record sources that have not been fully cross-checked.
Kim Ik-saeng was honored with a filial-piety gate in 1405, and his descendant Kim Mun-gi (1399-1456) rose to minister of works before dying a martyr in the plot to restore King Danjong. His son Kim Hyeon-seok is said to have died with him, and Mun-gi was restored in 1731 with the posthumous name Chungui. His grandson Kim Chung-ju is said to have lived in hiding as a charcoal burner and later received a filial-piety gate.
Kim Jun of the Yeongdonnyeong-gong line served as minister of war under Sejong and is said to have declined a high post offered by Sejo, settling in Goheung. In the Imjin War Kim Jun-yeong and Kim Eung-su escorted King Seonjo; in the Second Manchu invasion Kim Gyeong-se and Kim Heun died in battle. In the late Joseon the righteous-army leader Kim Do-hyeon (1852-1914) died a martyr off Yeonghae.
According to Namuwiki's compilation there are 34 branches: 25 descending from Kim Hyang and 9 from Kim Sun. The Chungui-gong branch is by far the largest (about 80% by one note).
Kim Hyang lines include Yeongdonnyeong-gong (Kim Jun), Chungui-gong (Kim Mun-gi), Moksa-gong (Kim Hyeong), Chungjeong-gong (Kim Jun-yeong), Yeonggwang Gunsu-gong (Kim Dae-yeong), Byeongjo Chamui-gong (Kim Hu-yeong), Dongjisa-gong (Kim Hui-yeong), Chunggyeong-gong (Kim Gyeong-se), Chungsuk-gong (Kim Heun), Songam-gong (Kim Jil), Daesaseong-gong (Kim Ji) and Bunseonggun-pa (Kim Eung-su).
Kim Sun lines include Dosunchalsa-gong (Kim Mun-je), Sangseo-gong (Kim Mun-hui), Sirang-gong (Kim Mun-baek) and Jikjehak-gong (Kim Mun-yeop). Bunseong Kim and Yanggeun Kim are mentioned as clans that split off.
Historical figures include Kim Mun-gi, the righteous-army leader Kim Do-hyeon and Kim Beop-rin, a minister of education. Modern figures reported under this seat include Kim Young-sam (14th President), Kim Jae-gyu (8th KCIA director) and Kim Seok-su (34th Prime Minister). Kim Young-sam is said to descend from the Chungui-gong line.
Records mention filial gates for Kim Ik-saeng and Kim Chung-ju, loyalty gates for Kim Jun-yeong and Kim Gyeong-se, the Ojeonggak (five-generation gates) of Kim Chung-ju's house, and the Manjidang pond at Gasan-ri, Gwayeok-myeon, Goheung, linked to Kim Jun. Kim Mun-gi has a memorial grave at Sayuksin Park in Noryangjin and is said to be enshrined in several shrines; check lineage sources for the exact tomb, hall and academy sites.
The central clan association and the Chungui-gong and Bunseonggun grand associations are said to run websites with electronic jokbo and generation-name tables. Generation names and lines vary by branch and family, so verify with your own jokbo.
The 김녕 김씨 clan association can be found in the Korean E-Jokbo Library clan-association directory.
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