Last Name Shin

The last name "Shin" has origins in various cultures and countries, including Korea, China, and Japan. In Korea, the surname "Shin" is one of the most common and prominent surnames. It originated from the Chinese character "申" (sin in Korean pronunciation) used to represent the Monkey in the Chinese zodiac. The Shin clan traces its roots back to the ancient Korean kingdom of Goguryeo. Many Korean individuals with the last name Shin can be found in both North and South Korea. In China, the surname "Shin" is less common compared to its prevalence in Korea. However, it does exist as a variant of the more widespread surname "Shen." The Chinese character "申" can also be pronounced as "shen" in Mandarin Chinese, and it has different meanings depending on the context. In Japan, the last name "Shin" is relatively rare. It is predominantly written with the Kanji character "新," meaning "new" or "fresh." Although not as common as other Japanese surnames, it does exist as a distinct family name. Given the widespread use and cultural diversity of the surname "Shin," its exact origin can vary depending on the specific country and region.

Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Shin

In terms of ethnicity, the Decennial U.S. Census data shows that the majority of people with the surname Shin identify as Asian or Pacific Islander. This demographic accounted for 94.77% of Shins in 2000 and slightly rose to 94.98% in 2010. The percentage of those identifying as having two or more races also saw a minimal increase from 1.70% in 2000 to 1.73% in 2010. The proportion of Shins identifying as white decreased from 2.72% in 2000 to 2.59% in 2010. No individuals identified as Hispanic or American Indian and Alaskan Native in 2000; however, by 2010, these groups made up 0.40% and 0.03% of Shins, respectively. Meanwhile, the proportion of Shins who identified as Black decreased by 30% over the decade.

	2000	2010	Change
Asian/Pacific Islander	94.77%	94.98%	0.22%
White	2.72%	2.59%	-4.78%
Two or More Races	1.7%	1.73%	1.76%
Hispanic	0%	0.4%	0%
Black	0.4%	0.28%	-30%
American Indian and Alaskan Native	0%	0.03%	0%

Shin ancestry composition

NomOrigine computes an ancestry breakdown for each customer. People may have ancestry from just one population or they may have ancestry from several populations. The most commonly-observed ancestry found in people with the surname Shin is Korean, which comprises 88.5% of all ancestry found in people with the surname. The next two most common ancestries are Chinese (2.9%) and British & Irish (1.7%). Additional ancestries include French & German, Japanese, Eastern European, Italian, and Ashkenazi Jewish.

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ANCESTRY BREAKDOWN	COMPOSITION
Korean	88.5%
Chinese	2.9%
British & Irish	1.7%
Other	6.9%

Your paternal lineage may be linked to the Yayoi

Haplogroup O1b2a, a branch of haplogroup O, is closely related to several haplogroups that are commonly found in Japan. Haplogroup O is closely associated with Kyushu, Japan's third largest island, and makes up over half of all men in Japan. Although haplogroup O is prevalent in Japan, it likely only entered Japan during the Yayoi expansion about 2,300 years ago. During the Yayoi expansion, people entering from the Korean Peninsula brought wet rice agriculture, weaving technology, and metalworking technology to Japan. The Yayoi expansion began on the island of Kyushu, where haplogroup O is very common today. It is possible that some of the early members of O1-F3356 were involved in this major shift, which quickly and dramatically altered Japanese culture.

Your maternal lineage may be linked to the Han

Members of haplogroup D are found in both northern and southern Han Chinese populations at low to moderate frequencies. The Han people, who all share the same language and similar cultural practices, are the largest ethnic group in the world, with about 1.2 billion people. Historical evidence shows that Han people are descendants of the ancient Huaxia tribes that come from northern China, and Han language and culture only expanded into southern China in the last 2,000 years. The spread of Han people and culture from northern to southern China was likely driven by warfare and famine in the north.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Shin

The meaning and origin of the last name Shin

The surname Shin has its roots in various cultures and languages. In Korean, Shin is derived from the Hanja character "신," meaning "a belief" or "trust." It is one of the most common surnames in Korea and is often associated with families of high status or noble ancestry. The Shin family name can be traced back to ancient times, indicating a long and rich history in Korean culture. In addition to Korea, the surname Shin also exists in other parts of Asia, particularly in China and Japan. In Chinese, the surname Shin is pronounced as "Xīn" and has a different character, but it can still represent similar meanings related to faith or trust. In Japan, the surname Shin is written with the character "新,” meaning "new" or "fresh," and is less common compared to its usage in Korea and China. The name Shin, therefore, has diverse origins and meanings depending on the specific cultural context.

Geographical distribution of the last name Shin

The last name "Shin" is primarily found in East Asia, with a notable presence in countries such as South Korea, China, and Japan. In South Korea, Shin is a common surname and ranks as one of the top ten most frequently occurring last names. It is estimated that around 7% of the Korean population carries this surname. The Shin clan is particularly concentrated in the Gyeonggi Province and Seoul, the capital city. In China, the name "Shin" is less common but still present, mostly among the ethnic Korean population living in the northeastern regions of the country. In Japan, the name is predominantly found among the Zainichi Koreans, the Korean expatriate community residing in the country. Outside of East Asia, the last name "Shin" can also be found in diaspora communities around the world, including in North America, Europe, and other parts of Asia, as a result of migration and international marriages.

Variants and spellings of the last name Shin

The last name Shin may possess several variations and spellings due to differing transliterations or regional customs. In Korean, Shin is typically written as 신 using the Hangul writing system. In English-speaking countries, however, the spelling can vary. Some common variations include Sheen, Sheene, and Shein. These versions often arise from attempts to match the pronunciation of Shin more closely with English phonetics. Additionally, Shinn and Shen are other possible variations. It is worth noting that these variations may also occur as alternative family names in different cultures or communities, unrelated to the Korean surname Shin. Thus, when encountering the last name Shin, one can come across diverse orthographic forms depending on the historical, linguistic, and cultural contexts in which the name is written or transliterated.

Famous people with the last name Shin

There are not many famous people with the last name Shin, but some notable personalities have made their mark in various fields. One such individual is Park Chan-wook, a renowned South Korean filmmaker widely acclaimed for his groundbreaking and visually stunning movie "Oldboy." His unique storytelling and distinct directorial style have earned him numerous awards and recognition from both critics and audiences worldwide. Another prominent figure is Catherine Shin, a respected academic and expert in the field of international relations. Her insightful research and expertise on East Asian politics have contributed greatly to the field, with her work being widely cited and respected. Although the list of famous individuals with the last name Shin may be quite short, the impact and contributions of these individuals have resonated within their respective industries.

Genealogical research on the last name Shin

The surname Shin is of Korean origin and is predominantly found in South Korea. The genealogical research on the last name Shin reveals a rich and ancient lineage dating back centuries. The name is believed to have originated from the ancient Shilla kingdom, one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea. Within this kingdom, the Shin clan belonged to the noble class called Gwangsan Shin. Over time, the Shin family spread to different regions of Korea, such as Gyeongsang and Hamgyeong provinces. The clan has a long history of notable figures, including scholars, military leaders, and public officials who made significant contributions to Korean society. Today, descendants of the Shin clan can be found not only in South Korea but also in other countries due to migration and globalization. The surname Shin continues to carry a sense of pride and identity for the individuals who bear it, representing their heritage and ancestral ties.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Shin"
• Global distribution of the surname on Forebears.io
• Wikipedia Article

About the author :

NomOrigine Team
Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.
Last updated : 11 April 2025

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