Kwon also written as Gwon (Korean: 권; Hanja: 權) is a Korean family name. Some sources list as many 56 clans, but most of them were merged with the Andong Gwon clan under the Sijeung-gong faction soon after the establishment of the Goryeo Kingdom.

Andong Kwon clan

The founder of Andong Kwon clan, Kim Haeng (金幸), was originally a royalty of the Silla Gyeongju Kim clan. He participated in the Battle of Gochang and helped Taejo, who established the Kingdom of Goryeo in 918; the new king bestowed upon Kim Haeng a new surname: Kwon (權), as he could judge the situation correctly and achieve a purpose flexibly (能炳幾達權).^[1]

Yecheon Kwon clan

One account has its original surname was Heun (昕). However, in 1197, the name Heun (昕) was chosen as the posthumous name for the Goryeo kingdom's King Myeongjong. To avoid the use of a king's posthumous name, the Heun (昕) family were directed to change their name to Kwon (權). The head of the Heun clan at this time became Gwon So, the founding ancestor of the Yecheon Kwon clan. Approximately two thirds of clan members live in the Gyeongsang provinces. All members of the Heun (昕) clan disappeared before the founding of Joseon.

Another account states that the Yecheon Heun (昕) clan's Jeoksin, Suchang, Seungdan, and Seungjo married into the Andong Kwon clan and afterward their descendants took their mothers' surname Kwon (權). Yecheon Kwon clan called an Obongmun (五福門) in late Goryeo.

Notable people

See also

• List of Korean family names
• Korean name
• Kwon the Redeemer

References