Lee (Korean name)
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{{#if:이 (리)李; 異 and 伊 are rare|| Chosŏn'gŭl: | 이 (리) |
|s |south |rok |sk | #default = Lee is the common English spelling of 이 (pronounced like abcdE), a common Korean family name. 이 (李) is the second most common (after Kim) in Korea, 이 (異) and 이 (伊) being relatively rare. The name is sometimes also transliterated as Yi or Rhee. The hanja 李 literally means "plum" or "judge."
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[edit] Clans
As with all Korean family names, the holders of the Lee surname are divided into different patrilineal clans, or lineages, based on their ancestral seat. Most such clans trace their lineage back to a specific founder. This system was at its height under the yangban aristocracy of the Joseon Dynasty, but it remains in use today. There are approximately 241 such clans claimed by South Koreans.
[edit] Deoksu clan
The founder of this clan was Yi Dong-su, an official of the Goryeo period. This was a prominent yangban clan during the Joseon Dynasty, producing figures including the admiral Yi Sun-sin and the philosopher Yulgok Yi I. The clan seat, Deoksu, corresponds to Deoksu-hyeon, an old division of what is now Kaep'ung-gun in Kaesong city, North Korea.
[edit] Gyeongju clan
The founder of this clan was Yi Al-pyeong, one of the original village headmen of Silla, who chose Bak Hyeokgeose as the first king. According to the Samguk Sagi, the Yi name was officially bestowed on the family by King Yuri around 9 CE. Prominent members include the Silla general Yi Sa-bu.
[edit] Yeoju clan
Prominent members of this clan include the Joseon Dynasty philosopher Seongho Yi Ik.
[edit] Jeonju clan
The founder of this clan was Yi Han, a high official of Silla. His 22nd-generation descendant, Yi Seonggye, went on to found the Joseon(Chosun) Dynasty. Famous members of this clan include King Sejong the Great and the first president of modern Korea, Syngman Rhee
[edit] Danyang clan
The founder of this clan was Jeong Dojeon, who was the first Prime Minister of Joseon and had close relations to King Yi Seonggye. The bestowed upon him the right to start his clan, a right only a yangban could ask, thus Jeong Dojeon created a new yangban clan. The clan's ancestral seat is Danyang.
[edit] List
Famous Koreans with this family name:
- All the kings of the Joseon Dynasty
- The philosophers Yi Hwang and Yi I
- Admiral Yi Sunsin
- South Korea's first president Rhee Syngman
- Lee Byung Hun, actor
- The politician Lee Hoi-chang
- The pop singer Lee Hyo Ri of Fin KL
- The pop singer Lee Heejin of Baby VOX
- The singer Lee Minwoo of Shinhwa
- Lee Jung Hyun, singer
- Lee Na Young, actress
- Sung-Hi Lee, model
- Lee Yong-Pyo, footballer
- Natasha Yi, model
- Lee Young Ae, actress
- Lee Dong Gun, actor
- Alex Yi, American footballer with Korean descent
- Yi Sang, poet and writer of the early 20th century.
- Lee Pa-ni, model
