Several Korean surnames have historical connections to royalty. The most prominent of these are:
Royal Surnames
| Surname | Royal Connection |
|---|---|
| Kim | Kim is a highly prestigious surname with royal connections, particularly to the Silla dynasty, one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea. |
| Lee | Lee (also sometimes spelled as I or Yi) is strongly associated with the House of Yi, which ruled during the Joseon Dynasty. |
Other surnames also exist in Korea but those don't have as strong royal associations as Kim or Lee. For example:
- Park
- Choi
- Cho
Although these other surnames are very common, they are not traditionally known for being associated with royalty. The surnames Kim and Lee are the most recognized with a direct link to specific Korean royal houses.
Therefore, the primary surnames with royal connections in Korean history are Kim and Lee.
