전주 최씨(全州 崔氏) — Said to be a distinguished Choi house that produced the most civil-examination graduates during the Joseon period.
Said to be a distinguished Choi house that produced the most civil-examination graduates during the Joseon period. In the 2015 Census the 전주 최씨 clan numbered about 458,191 people, one of Korea's major surnames and clans. Even among people surnamed 최, a different clan seat (bon-gwan, 전주) means a different lineage. New to these terms? See the bon-gwan, pa & hangnyeol guide.
Munyeolgong-pa, Munseonggong-pa, Sadogong-pa, Munchunggong-pa
Branch divisions vary by lineage and jokbo; confirm your own branch in your family's records.
최명길(Chief State Councillor of Joseon), 최석정(Chief State Councillor of Joseon), 최민식(actor)
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The Jeonju Choi clan (全州 崔氏), with its ancestral seat in Jeonju, North Jeolla Province, is the second most populous surname among the Choi. It divides into four branch-lines with different founders: the Munyeolgong line (文烈公系) of Choi Sun-jak (崔純爵), the Munchunggong line (文忠公系) of Choi Gun-ok (崔羣玉), the Sadogong line (司徒公系) of Choi Gyun (崔均), and the Munseonggong line (文成公系) of Choi A (崔阿). As the four lines differ in origin and ancestry, the Jeonju Choi clan is counted among the houses with the most complex genealogy even within a single surname and seat.
Of the four lines, the most flourishing is the Munyeolgong line, descended from the founder Choi Sun-jak. Choi Sun-jak is said to have passed the civil examination in the reign of King Jeongjong of Goryeo, served as Byeongbu Sangseo in the reign of King Sukjong, and been enfeoffed as Wanju-baek (完州伯). Among his descendants was Choi Yu-gyeong, a founding secondary merit subject of Joseon and an incorrupt official (cheongbaengni); from his son Choi Sa-gang onward the family held high court offices and repeatedly married into the royal family, growing into a distinguished house. Munchunggong Choi Myeong-gil, who argued for peace during the Byeongja War; Choi Seok-jeong, who served nine times as Chief State Councillor; and Left State Councillor Choi Seok-hang all belong to this line.
The Jeonju Choi clan produced 109 civil-examination graduates during the Joseon period, the most among Choi ancestral seats, and produced 3 State Councillors (Choi Myeong-gil, Choi Seok-jeong, Choi Seok-hang), 2 Daejehak, 3 incorrupt officials, 5 Hanseong Panyun, and 1 merit subject enshrined in the Royal Ancestral Shrine (Choi Seok-jeong). From the Munchunggong line came Choi Chil-seok, who subdued Tsushima, and Choi Yang, who kept his loyalty to Goryeo; from the Sadogong line, the founder Choi Gyun, who died putting down Jo Wi-chong's rebellion, are among the known figures.
The detailed branch and lineage divisions vary by clan and genealogy, so confirm your own family's history in the genealogy you hold.
The 전주 최씨 clan association can be found in the Korean E-Jokbo Library clan-association directory.
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