여주 이씨(驪州 李氏) — A clan seated in Yeoju, Gyeonggi Province, that produced the Goryeo writer Yi Gyu-bo and Joseon scholars such as Yi Eon-jeok and Yi Ik. It is organized into three branches with different founders.
A clan seated in Yeoju, Gyeonggi Province, that produced the Goryeo writer Yi Gyu-bo and Joseon scholars such as Yi Eon-jeok and Yi Ik. It is organized into three branches with different founders. In the 2015 Census the 여주 이씨 clan numbered about 96,481 people, one of Korea's major surnames and clans. Even among people surnamed 이, a different clan seat (bon-gwan, 여주) means a different lineage. New to these terms? See the bon-gwan, pa & hangnyeol guide.
The Yeoju Yi clan (驪州 李氏) takes Yeoju, Gyeonggi Province, as its seat. Korean Wikipedia lists three founders — Yi In-deok, Yi Eun-baek and Yi Se-jeong — and describes three branches (Gyowi-gong, Munsun-gong and Gyeongju). All three are presented as local magnates and upper clerks established in Yeoju from the mid-Goryeo period who later rose to office in Gaegyeong. Believing the founders shared a root, they have compiled joint genealogies since the Joseon era.
The 2015 census figure of 96,481 (71,711 in 2000) is quoted from secondary sources such as Namuwiki, so please verify it against Statistics Korea.
Yeoju is traced from Golnaegeun-hyeon of Goguryeo through Hwanghyo-hyeon under Silla, Hwangryeo under Taejo of Goryeo, Yeongui, Yeoheung county, Yeoheung prefecture and Yeoju-mok. Historically each branch wrote its seat differently — Hwangryeo, Yeoheung or Yeoju for Gyowi-gong, Haeum (Ganghwa) for part of Munsun-gong, and Yeogang for the Gyeongju branch — and they have since been unified as Yeoju.
Gyowi-gong-pa, Munsun-gong-pa, Gyeongju-pa, Hoejae-pa, Sangseo-gong-pa, Gyeongheon-gong-pa, Jeongdang-gong-pa, Haksa-gong-pa
The Gyowi-gong branch descends from Yi In-deok, who served as an In-yong Gyowi in Goryeo. Korean Wikipedia describes it as part of the Joseon Hungu faction and, from Yi Sang-ui onward, called the "Jeongdong Yi", leading the Gyeonggi Namin. Yi In-deok's dates are unknown; one account estimates the reign of Yejong from a great-grandson's household register.
Beneath it are the Seoye-gong, Sangseo-gong and Jeongdang-gong lines. Historically its seat was written Hwangryeo, Yeoheung or Yeoju, and one sub-line used Yeongui. Silhak scholars such as Yi Ik came from the Gyeongheon-gong line under Sangseo-gong, while the Haksa-gong line settled around Suwon. Generation names are fixed from the 25th generation (e.g. "Jong"), but the full table needs checking against the original. Generation counts and founder names differ between Wikipedia, Namuwiki and other sources, so confirm exact lineage and generation names in the branch association's genealogy.
The Munsun-gong branch takes Yi Eun-baek, a Jungyun of Goryeo, as founder and Yi Gyu-bo (1168-1241) as mid-founder; Namuwiki gives the line Yi Eun-baek, Yi Hwa, Yi Yun-su, Yi Gyu-bo. The name comes from Yi Gyu-bo's posthumous title Munsun. Part of the branch has also used Haeum (modern Ganghwa) as its seat.
His three sons Yi Ham, Yi Jing and Yi Je founded the Panseo-gong, Sagan-gong and Noksa-gong lines; under the first are Hangye-gong, Gusan-gun and Gaseon-gong, and under the last Boryeong-gong, Tongjeong-gong, Haksan and Gaeseong (Yi Ik-hae) lines. Details differ by source and need checking against clan genealogies. Generation counts and founder names differ between Wikipedia, Namuwiki and other sources, so confirm exact lineage and generation names in the branch association's genealogy.
The Gyeongju branch takes Yi Se-jeong, a Hyanggong Jinsa of Goryeo, as founder and is also called the Yeogang Yi. After the fall of Goryeo its descendants are said to have moved to Gyeongsang and settled there, and it is counted as a leading Yeongnam Namin family. Some accounts honor Yi Eon-jeok as its mid-founder.
Its chief villages are Yangdong (UNESCO-listed) in Gangdong-myeon and Oksan-ri and Hagok-ri in Angang-eup, Gyeongju. Korean Wikipedia lists 14 sub-lines — Jangsa-gong, Sajik-gong, Jiheon-gong, Panseo-gong, Hyeongam-gong, Mucheomdang, Yangjoldang, Seolcheonjeong, Sujoldang, Ouijeong, Hyangdan, Oksan, Gyeongnyeok-gong and Gyeongsan — while Namuwiki groups them under Hoejae into the Yangdong and Oksan lines. Generation counts and founder names differ between Wikipedia, Namuwiki and other sources, so confirm exact lineage and generation names in the branch association's genealogy.
The Hoejae line takes the 11th-generation Yi Eon-jeok (pen name Hoejae) of the Gyeongju branch as founder; Namuwiki splits it into the Yangdong and Oksan lines. Having no son, he adopted a cousin's son, Yi Eung-in, whose five sons Yi Ui-yun, Yi Ui-jing, Yi Ui-hwal, Yi Ui-jam and Yi Ui-on founded the Mucheomdang (head house), Yangjoldang, Seolcheonjeong, Sujoldang and Oui-jeong lines.
His illegitimate son Yi Jeon-in, known as the Neo-Confucian who guarded Dongnakdang, left descendants such as Yi Jun (Guam-gong) and Yi Sun (Chiam-gong). Mucheomdang is known as a leading old house of Yangdong Village. Because names and generation lists divide finely, these should be confirmed in clan records. Generation counts and founder names differ between Wikipedia, Namuwiki and other sources, so confirm exact lineage and generation names in the branch association's genealogy.
The Sangseo-gong branch takes the 5th-generation Yi Su-hae of the Gyowi-gong branch as mid-founder. Namuwiki lists beneath it the Gyeongheon-gong (11th gen. Yi Gye-son), Jinju (8th gen. Yi Ji, extinct), Haksa-gong (8th gen. Yi Go), Sajik-gong, Cheonan-gong, Seolheon-gong and Jubu-gong lines.
Under Gyeongheon-gong the Jecheon-gong line divides into Chunju-gong, Soreung-gong, Sunchang-gong, Hosan Cheongeun-gong and Panseo-gong; Namin Silhak scholars such as Yi Ik came from the Soreung-gong line. Sajik-gong is settled in Haman and Cheonan-gong in Namwon. The family's ancestral graves at Cheomseong-ri, Ansan are said to have been established by Yi Gye-son, but exact genealogy must be checked in clan materials. Generation counts and founder names differ between Wikipedia, Namuwiki and other sources, so confirm exact lineage and generation names in the branch association's genealogy.
The Gyeongheon-gong branch takes the 11th-generation Yi Gye-son as founder. Beneath it are the Gamchal-gong (Yi Ji-im), Sapyeong-gong (Yi Ji-hwa) and Jecheon-gong (Yi Ji-si) lines, founded by his sons; Korean Wikipedia describes him as a Minister of War under Seongjong and a Gyeyu Jeongnan merit subject.
Jecheon-gong divides into the Chunju-gong (Yi Sang-hong), Soreung-gong (Yi Sang-ui), Sunchang-gong (Yi Sang-gwan), Hosan Cheongeun-gong (Yi Sang-sin) and Panseo-gong (Yi Gong-rim) lines. Soreung-gong produced many Gyeonggi Namin Silhak scholars, and Hosan Cheongeun-gong is centered on Chuncheon. The Jipyeong-gong line in Bucheon is introduced as descendants of Yi Ji-ik of Jecheon-gong. Generation counts and founder names differ between Wikipedia, Namuwiki and other sources, so confirm exact lineage and generation names in the branch association's genealogy.
The Jeongdang-gong branch takes the 5th-generation Yi Su-ryong of the Gyowi-gong branch as mid-founder; Korean Wikipedia introduces him as a Jeongdang Munhak and Jimunhaseongsa of Goryeo. Beneath it are the Moksa-gong (8th gen. Yi Cheon-baek), Bukcheong (8th gen. Yi Cheon-bae), Munjeol-gong (9th gen. Yi Haeng), Donyeong-gong (11th gen. Yi Ja), Miryang (12th gen. Yi Jeung-seok) and Pocheon-gong (12th gen. Yi Jeung-yak) lines.
Munjeol-gong is known as a Hungu family; Pocheon-gong splits into the Hongju (around Hongseong and Cheongyang), Chuncheon and Gochang lines. Yi Gwang-ryun, Yi Gwang-bok and Yi Gwang-heon are listed as Yi Jeung-yak's great-grandsons, though their line is not specified. The spelling of the names of Munjeol-gong line figures (Yi Cheok / Yi Jeok) differs between sources. Generation counts and founder names differ between Wikipedia, Namuwiki and other sources, so confirm exact lineage and generation names in the branch association's genealogy.
The Haksa-gong branch takes the 8th-generation Yi Go (b. 1341) of Sangseo-gong as founder and is also called the Suwon line. Yi Go is introduced as passing the civil examination in 1374 and serving as Jiphyeonjeon Jikjehak; Korean Wikipedia says place names in Suwon such as Paldalsan, Gwonseon-dong and Ingye-dong derive from his activities.
Beneath it are Bakcheon-gong (13th gen. Yi Hak; with Busajik, Gamyeok, Hwangju and Buyun lines), Sajik-gong (13th gen. Yi Ran; Manmukdang, Samyeoldang, Gunsil-gong, Gwangyang-gong), Cheonan-gong (13th gen. Yi Eung), Seolheon-gong (9th gen. Yi Jung-gyeon) and Jubu-gong (11th gen. Yi Chung). Some sources call it the largest line of the clan today. The head line of Bakcheon-gong is said to have founded Suwon Technical High School, though details need confirmation in clan records. Generation counts and founder names differ between Wikipedia, Namuwiki and other sources, so confirm exact lineage and generation names in the branch association's genealogy.
Branch divisions vary by lineage and jokbo; confirm your own branch in your family's records.
이규보(Goryeo writer and minister), 이언적(Neo-Confucian scholar), 이익(Silhak scholar Seongho), 이중환(author of the Taengniji), 이가환(mathematician-astronomer), 이승훈(founder of Osan School, one of the 33 national representatives), 이상의(Minister of Personnel), 이용휴(writer), 이하진(Inspector-General), 이잠(Yi Ik's elder brother)
Tap a name for the full profile (life, career, grave, descendants).
여주 이씨 figures recognized as independence patriots (National Independence Hall / Gonghun public data). Tap a name for the citation.
Foremost among those who raised the family's name is the Goryeo writer Yi Gyu-bo, author of the Dongguk Isanggukjip and Dongmyeongwangpyeon, mid-founder of the Munsun-gong branch. In Joseon Yi Eon-jeok was honored in both the Confucian Shrine and the royal ancestral hall and is regarded as a forerunner of the Yeongnam school. Korean Wikipedia names these two as having raised the family's honor.
The Soreung-gong line under the Gyowi-gong branch produced Namin Silhak scholars such as Yi Ik, Yi Jung-hwan and Yi Ga-hwan. Following the line back leads to Yi Sang-ui, Yi Ha-jin, Yi Jam and Yi Yong-hyu.
In the late Joseon and colonial periods Namgang Yi Seung-hun founded Osan School and was one of the 33 national representatives of the March First Movement.
Korean Wikipedia lists two chief state councillors, three Daejehak, three incorruptible officials, two Horang scholars and five merit subjects, plus 107 civil and 62 military examination graduates and 275 licentiates. These are transcribed from Wikipedia and need original verification.
Settlements include Suwon (Haksa-gong line), Yangdong Village (UNESCO) and Oksan-ri in Gyeongju, parts of Pohang, Yecheon, Goryeong, Haman, Hongseong and Cheongyang (Hongju line of Pocheon-gong), Chuncheon, Gochang, Namwon and Junghwa in the north.
The three lines are described as differing politically. The Gyowi-gong line was part of the early-Joseon Hungu faction before, from Yi Sang-ui on, being called the "Jeongdong Yi" and leading the Gyeonggi Namin; the Gyeongju line moved to Gyeongsang after Goryeo fell and became a leading Yeongnam Namin family; and the Munsun-gong line honors the Goryeo writer Yi Gyu-bo as mid-founder. That the schools of Seoul-Gyeonggi and Yeongnam both grew within one clan seat is counted among its distinctive features.
Korean Wikipedia lists Goryeo figures such as Yi Su-ryong (Jeongdang Munhak), Yi Byeok (Daejehak of the Hongmungwan), Yi Go (Hallim scholar, Jiphyeonjeon Jikjehak) and Yi Haeng (Daejehak of Yemungwan and Minister of Personnel), and Joseon figures such as Yi Gye-son, Yi Cheok, Yi Ja, Yi U-jik and Yi Sang-ui; Yi Ja is introduced as son-in-law of Prince Yangnyeong, an example of marriage ties with the royal house. Beware of same-name figures of other seats: Yongjae Yi Haeng (1478-1534) was of the Deoksu Yi, distinct from the Yeoju Yi Yi Haeng (1352-1432).
Korean Wikipedia lists modern figures including Yi Won-gyeong (Foreign Minister), Yi Gyu-hyo (Construction Minister), Yi Wan-gu (Prime Minister), legislators Yi Han-gu and Yi Mi-gyeong, Ambassador Yi Tae-sik; business leaders Yi Won-man, Yi Dong-chan, Yi Ung-ryeol (Kolon Group) and Yi Dong-chae (EcoPro Group); and scholars including Yi Pil-sang (Korea University), the linguist Yi Gi-mun and the historian Yi Gi-baek. Only those whose seat was cross-checked are introduced separately here; the rest are transcribed from Wikipedia and need individual verification.
The tomb of Yi Gyu-bo is at Giljik-ri, Gilsang-myeon, Ganghwa, an Incheon municipal monument, and a road in Bupyeong, Incheon commemorates his time as magistrate of Gyeyang. Dongnakdang and Oksan Seowon, tied to Yi Eon-jeok, are at Oksan-ri, Angang-eup, Gyeongju, and his spirit-path stele at Daljeon-ri, Yeongil-eup, Pohang is a North Gyeongsang tangible cultural property. The tomb of Yi Ik at Il-dong, Sangnok-gu, Ansan is Gyeonggi Monument No. 40, with the Seongho Memorial Hall nearby. Maesansa in Wonju enshrines tablets of Yi Ha-jin and descendants, and place names in Suwon such as Paldalsan, Gwonseon-dong and Ingye-dong are said to derive from Yi Go of the Haksa-gong line. UNESCO-listed Yangdong Village is the best-known settlement of the Gyeongju branch.
Start from the genealogy kept at home or old household records and note the founder, mid-founder, generation count and branch name. Use Yi In-deok for Gyowi-gong, Yi Eun-baek and Yi Gyu-bo for Munsun-gong, and Yi Se-jeong and Yi Eon-jeok for the Gyeongju line as anchors, place yourself by generation name, and then ask the branch association.
Since pre-founder records vanished it is hard to assert a common root, but descendants are said to have compiled a single joint genealogy since the Joseon era. Today a federation of clan associations reportedly organizes pilgrimages to ancestral sites, and branch associations are run separately, so genealogy lookup and generation names are handled by branch.
Sharing a seat does not guarantee descent from a single founder. Pre-founder records for all three have been lost, no source here judges whether they share a root, and generation names and genealogies differ by branch, so it is best to ask a nearby clan association which branch one belongs to. Some branches known only by name, such as the "Saseo-gong" line, could not be corroborated in this survey and are not covered on this page.
The 여주 이씨 clan association can be found in the Korean E-Jokbo Library clan-association directory.
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