광주 이씨(廣州 李氏) — The clan traces its founding ancestor to Yi Ja-seong, who served as Naesaryeong (a high court office) during the reign of King Naemul of Silla, and is known as a distinguished house that produced many civil-service examination passers during the Joseon period.
The clan traces its founding ancestor to Yi Ja-seong, who served as Naesaryeong (a high court office) during the reign of King Naemul of Silla, and is known as a distinguished house that produced many civil-service examination passers during the Joseon period. In the 2015 Census the 광주 이씨 clan numbered about 181,377 people, one of Korea's major surnames and clans. Even among people surnamed 이, a different clan seat (bon-gwan, 광주) means a different lineage. New to these terms? See the bon-gwan, pa & hangnyeol guide.
Dunchon-gong-pa, Yuljeong-gong-pa, Seoktan-gong-pa, Amtan-gong-pa, Sibungwa-gong-pa
The Dunchon-gong branch descends from Yi Jip (李集, 1327-1387), pen name Dunchon (遁村), a late-Goryeo scholar and son of Yi Dang (李唐), a local functionary of Gwangju. Having incurred the hostility of the monk-politician Sin Don, he fled with his family to Yeongcheon; after Sin Don's execution he was appointed director of the Office of Editorial Review but soon resigned and lived in retirement in Cheonnyeong county, Yeoju.
His descendants include Right State Councillor Yi In-son, Chief State Councillor Yi Geuk-bae, Left State Councillor Yi Geuk-gyun and Chief State Councillor Yi Deok-hyeong. In the generation of the brothers Yi Geuk-bae, Yi Geuk-don and Yi Geuk-gyun the line divided further into several sub-branches.
The Yuljeong-gong branch is a Gwangju Yi line descended from Yi Gwan-ui (李寬義) and belongs to the line of the mid-founder Yi Ik-bi (李益庇).
It maintains its own branch association (Yuljeong-gong jonghoe); few accessible sources give details of the founder's career.
The Seoktan-gong branch descends from Yi Yang-jung (李養中), pen name Seoktan (石灘), a late-Goryeo official, and belongs to the line of the mid-founder Yi Ik-gang (李益康). He served as vice minister of punishments in late Goryeo but opposed the founding of Joseon and withdrew to the area of present-day Godeok-dong in Gangdong-gu, Seoul; the name Godeok ('high virtue') is said to come from his reputation.
He was enshrined at Guam Seowon in Gangdong.
The Amtan-gong branch is a Gwangju Yi line descended from Yi Yang-mong (李養蒙). Together with the Seoktan-gong branch, it belongs to the line of the mid-founder Yi Ik-gang (李益康).
It maintains its own branch association (Amtan-gong jonghoe); few accessible sources give details of the founder's career.
The Sibungwa-gong branch is a Gwangju Yi line descended from Yi Geon (李虔, original name Ja-ryeong 自齡). Together with the Yuljeong-gong branch, it belongs to the line of the mid-founder Yi Ik-bi (李益庇).
The clan also calls it the Sibungwa-gong (Panseo-gong) branch; few accessible sources give details of the founder's career.
Branch divisions vary by lineage and jokbo; confirm your own branch in your family's records.
이집(Goryeo scholar, art name Dunchon), 이극배(Chief State Councillor of Joseon), 이덕형(Chief State Councillor of Joseon, art name Haneum)
Tap a name for the full profile (life, career, grave, descendants).
광주 이씨 figures recognized as independence patriots (National Independence Hall / Gonghun public data). Tap a name for the citation.
광주 이씨 figures listed by the Presidential Committee or the Dictionary of Pro-Japanese Collaborators (Minjok Munje Institute).
For other branch associations, see the Korean E-Jokbo Library clan-association directory.
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