Last Name Won

The surname Won is of Korean origin and is written as "원" in Hangul, a phonetic writing system used in the Korean language. In Korea, most people have family names that are derived from the clan or region where their ancestors originated. The character "원" means 'circle' or 'round', and may symbolize unity, wholeness, or completeness. It is one of the most common surnames in Korea along with Kim, Lee, Park, and other Chinese-derived names.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Won

The meaning and origin of the last name Won

The surname "Won" has origins rooted in several cultures, primarily Korean and Chinese, though it may also be found among people from other Asian countries. In Korean, "Won" (원) is a relatively common surname, meaning "forest" or "grove." It belongs to the Jin Clan, one of the Five Great Clans of Korea. In Chinese, "Won" translates to "云," which means "cloud." It's an uncommon surname in China but can be found among certain Han Chinese communities. The name is often Romanized as Yún or Wŭn depending on dialect and translation methods used. As a result of historical migrations and diaspora, people with the surname "Won" can now be found across the globe, particularly in countries with large Asian populations such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and many nations in East Asia.

Geographical distribution of the last name Won

The surname Won is primarily distributed across East Asia, particularly in countries such as South Korea and China. It is one of the most common Korean family names, where it is often written as 원 (in Hangul) or Wŏn (in Hanja). In China, it is commonly found among ethnic Koreans residing there, particularly those from the provinces of Jilin, Liaoning, and Heilongjiang. The name has also been brought to other parts of the world by Korean and Chinese immigrants. The distribution of the surname reflects historical migrations and cultural exchanges between Korea and China over centuries.

Variants and spellings of the last name Won

The surname Won has several variants and spellings across different languages and regions. Here are some possible versions:

* Wun (phonetic variation)
* Wohn (German spelling)
* Wonn (Scandinavian spelling)
* Wuun (Finnish spelling)
* Woon (Dutch spelling)
* Wone (Irish Gaelic spelling)
* Wonnacott, Wonnaecker, Wonneberg, Wonneker, and Wonneberger (English and German patronymics derived from the name Won)
* Von Won, von der Won, van der Won, etc. (European nobility prefixes attached to the name Won)

It is important to note that surnames can be spelled differently even within the same family due to factors such as regional dialects, personal preference, or historical record-keeping errors. Additionally, some people may adopt different spellings of their surname over time for various reasons, such as assimilation or simplification.

Famous people with the last name Won

The Won family has produced several notable figures across various fields. Chang-Won Lee is a South Korean mathematician known for his work on nonlinear partial differential equations and geometric analysis. Born in Seoul, he currently serves as the William Caspar Graustein Professor of Mathematics at Stanford University. Another prominent figure is Yo-Yo Ma, an American cellist of Chinese descent, born in Cambridge to Chinese parents who were studying at Harvard. He has won 18 Grammy Awards and is renowned for his versatility as a musician, bridging the gap between Western Classical music and traditional Chinese music. In sports, Hye-Soo Won represented South Korea in the women's high jump event during the 2004 Athens Olympics. Finally, Dong-Kuk Lee is a South Korean professional golfer who won the PGA Championship in 1994, becoming the first Asian to win a men's major golf championship. These individuals have made significant contributions to their respective fields and serve as inspiring examples of success for many.

Genealogical research on the last name Won

The surname Won, originating from East Asia, particularly Korea and China, is of great antiquity. In Korean, the name translates to "honor" or "respect," reflecting the values that were highly esteemed in traditional Korean society. The Chinese characters for Won can be interpreted as "military achievement" or "great victory."

The earliest records of the Won family in Korea date back to the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910), where they served as high-ranking government officials and military leaders. Some notable members include Admiral Yi Sun-sin, a naval commander who defended Korea against Japanese invasions during the Imjin War in the 16th century.

In China, the surname is less common but has been traced back to the Han Dynasty (202 BC - 220 AD). It was traditionally associated with the scholar-official class, contributing significantly to the development of Confucianism and Chinese literature. One prominent figure bearing this name was Wang Fu, a poet and official during the Eastern Han Dynasty.

Today, the Won family continues to be found in significant numbers in both Korea and China, with diasporic communities spread across the globe. The surname is a testament to the rich history and culture of these nations.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Won"
• 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 June 2025

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