Founding ancestor of the Changnyeong Jo clan (by tradition the son-in-law of King Jinpyeong of Silla)
| Life | 626 |
| Era | 신라 (전승) |
| Clan | 창녕 조씨 |
Jo Gye-ryong (曺繼龍) is the figure handed down as the founding ancestor of the Changnyeong Jo clan, and is said to have been the son-in-law (buma, royal consort) of King Jinpyeong, the 26th ruler of Silla. This, however, is a tradition carried down through genealogies and legend, and the lineage is clearly confirmed in written records only from the late Goryeo period.
According to the legend of the surname's origin, Yehyang, the daughter of the Hallim academician Yi Gwang-ok, conceived after praying at the dragon pond of Mount Hwawang and in 626 (the 48th year of King Jinpyeong) bore a son with the character "Jo (曺)" marked in red under his arm; the king therefore granted him the surname Jo (曺) and the name Gye-ryong (繼龍). He is said to have later become King Jinpyeong's son-in-law and to have been enfeoffed as Prince Changseong (昌城府院君).
Today the Changnyeong Jo clan reveres him as its founding ancestor.