An, also romanized Ahn, is a Korean family name. A total of 109 Korean clans are named 'An', but with different origins. In 2000, there were 637,786 people bearing this surname in South Korea, making it the 20th most common family name in the country, with roughly 2% of the country's population. North Korea does not release figures for surnames, but the percentage is expected to be more than in South Korea.
Clan
In the traditional Korean clan system, which is still the basis of family registry in South Korea, each clan is distinguished by its bon-gwan, the notional ancestral seat of the clan. Typically each clan claims a different person as its founder, although there are exceptions. A total of 109 An clans are extant today. However, most of these are very small. The majority of Ans claim membership in the Sunheung Ahn clan. The Kwangju and Juksan clans are also quite large as well; in addition to these, the Tamjin, Gongsan, Chungju, Dongju, Jeuongwon, Ansan, Jecheon, Angang, and Jucheon clans are significant.
Sunheung clan
A total of 73.5% of those with the Korean surname 'Ahn' belongs to the Sunheung clan. The 2000 South Korean census counted 468,827 members of the "Sunheung" Ahn clan. It is a native clan connected with the town of Sunheung, Korea. The Sunheung clan was the most noble and powerful clan among clans with surname An, and was one of the Six Greatest Clans of all Korean clans during the Goryeo dynasty and early Joseon dynasty.
Juksan clan
The Juksan Ahn clan came from Ahngukjishin which means "the general who made the country peaceful". Three brothers Lee Jichun Lee Yeopchun and Lee Hwachun achieved a great victory against Japan in the Silla period. Juksan is a town name in Anseong city. Lee Jichun changed his name to Ahn Bangjun, and is the founder of the Juksan clan.
Gwangju clan
Ahn Banggeol is the founder of the Gwangju clan. The clan had 43,609 members in 2000 in South Korea, and 48,033 members in 2015 in South Korea. The population in North Korea is unknown.
Tamjin clan
The 2015 South Korean census counted 26,098 people of the "Tamjin" Ahn clan. It is a native clan connected with the Gangjin. Tamjin is an old name (before 14C) of Gangjin.
Ahn Woo is the founder of Tamjin clan. Ahn Woo put down the rebellion of Cho Il-shin as a Gunbupanseo (kind of military officer) in 1362.
Ki Ch'ŏl, who was the brother of Empress Gi, exerted his authority in Korea, and he had the Mongol Empire at his back. Ahn Woo put Ki Ch'ŏl to death.
Ahn Woo put Red Turbans to rout who captured Uiju County and Chongju, as Northwest military commander.
Also, Ahn Ji, who was a renowned scholar, who was one of the writers of Yongbieocheonga is from the Tamjin clan.
List of notable people with surname
An Hyang (1243–1306), academic and official in the royal court in the late Goryeo dynasty
An To-ch'i (?–1363), royal eunuch and body double
Ahn Chang Ho (1878–1938), Korean politician and independence activist
Ahn Cheol-soo (born 1962), South Korean politician, physician, and software entrepreneur
Ahn Chai-hong (1891–1965), Korean activist, politician, and journalist
Ahn Hee-jung (born 1965), South Korean politician
An Jung-geun (1879–1910), Korean-independence activist
An Ba-ul (born 1994), South Korean sudoka
An Byeong-hun (born 1991), South Korean professional golfer
An Chang-nam (1901–1930), first Korean aviator
An Chang-rim (born 1994), South Korean judoka
An Gyeong-ja (born 1950), South Korean volleyball player
An Se-young (born 2002), South Korean badminton player
An Ye-seul (born 1995), South Korean singer
An Yu-jin (born 2003), South Korean singer
Ahn Byong-man (1941–2022), South Korean academic
Ahn Eak-tai (1906–1965), South Korean classical composer and conductor
Ahn Eun-jin (born 1991), South Korean actress
Ahn Hyo-seop, (born 1995), South Korean actor
Ahn Jae-chang (born 1972), South Korean badminton player
Ahn Jae-hong, (born 1986), South Korean actor
Ahn Jae-hyun, (born 1987), South Korean model and actor
Ahn Jae-wook (born 1971), South Korean actor and singer
Ahn Ji-hwan (born 1969), South Korean voice actor
Ahn Ji-hye (born 1987), South Korean actress
Ahn Jung-hwan (born 1976), South Korean football player
Ahn Junghyo (1941–2023), South Korean novelist and translator
Ahn Nae-sang (born 1964), South Korean actor
Ahn Sang-soo (Changwon mayor) (born 1946), South Korean politician
Ahn Sang-soo (Incheon mayor) (born 1946), South Korean politician
Ahn So-hee (born 1992), South Korean actress and singer
Ahn Sol-bin (born 1997), South Korean singer
An Sugil (1911–1977), Korean novelist
Ahn Sung-ki (born 1952), South Korean actor
Ahn Sung-nam (born 1984), South Korean football player
Ahn Tae-Eun (born 1985), South Korean football player
Ahn Young-mi (born 1983), South Korean comedian
Danny Ahn (born Ahn Shin-won, 1978), South Korean singer
Elly (rapper) (born Ahn Hyo-jin, 1991), South Korean singer
Hani (singer) (born Ahn Hee-yeon, 1992), South Korean singer
Hwasa (born Ahn Hye-jin, 1995), South Korean singer and rapper
Joo Won Ahn (born 1993), South Korean ballet dancer
Kangta (born Ahn Chil-hyun, 1979), South Korean singer-songwriter
Kyongwon Ahn (born 1937), South Korean taekwondo master
Niel (singer) (born Ahn Daniel, 1994), South Korean singer
Mikhail An (1952–1979), Soviet football player
Philip Ahn (1905–1978), Korean-American actor and activist
Priscilla Ahn (born 1984), Korean-American musician
Tony Ahn (born 1978), South Korean singer
Viktor An (born 1985), South Korean-born Russian short-track speed skating coach
Yoo Yeon-seok (born Ahn Yeon-seok, 1984), South Korean actor