As with other Korean surnames, different clans, known as , are inherited from a father to his children. These designate the region of Korea or paternal ancestor from which they claim to originate. The 2000 South Korean census listed 348 extant Kim lineages.
Major clans Uiseong The Uiseong Kim () clan traces its lineage back to Kim Seok, also known as Kim Jung-seok, the son of
Gyeongsun of Silla.
Andong The Andong Kim clan () consists of two separate clans, distinguished as Gu () and Shin (), that have two separate progenitors. Some notable Gu Andong Kim clan members were General
Kim Si-min and Prime Minister Kim Sa-hyeong, who was involved with the
Gangnido map, as well as
Royal Noble Consort Hwi who was banished for witchcraft. The Shin Andong Kim clan was one of the powerful clans that dominated the later part of
Joseon. One of the most powerful members from the clan was
Kim Jo-sun, who was the father-in-law to
Sunjo of Joseon. Kim Josun's daughter was
Queen Sunwon.
Gimhae (Kimhae) The origin of the clan traces back to
Suro of Geumgwan Gaya and his ten children, who started the Kim dynasty of
Geumgwan Gaya, the capital of which was in present-day
Gimhae. Famous ancient members of this clan, aside from the kings of Geumgwan Gaya, include the Silla general
Kim Yu-sin. In
Later Silla, members of the Gimhae Kim family were admitted to all but the highest level of the Silla
bone rank system. This clan is by far the most populous of all Korean clans. According to the 2015 South Korean census, there were 4,456,700 Gimhae Kim clan members in South Korea.
Gyeongju The
Gyeongju Kims () trace their descent from the ruling family of Silla. The founder of this clan is said to have been
Kim Al-chi, an orphan adopted by King
Talhae of Silla in the 1st century CE. Alji's seventh-generation descendant was the first member of the clan to take the throne, as King
Michu of Silla in the year 262. According to the South Korean census of 2015, there were 1,800,853 Gyeongju Kims in South Korea.
Nagan The Nagan Kim clan () is small. Its progenitor, Kim Sujing (), was a descendant of the last king of Silla and established their ancestral home in
Suncheon. In the South Korean census of 2000, less than 10,000 citizens claimed to be Nagan Kims.
Hamchang The
Hamchang Kim clan () trace their origin to the founder of the little-known
Gaya confederacy state of
Goryeong Gaya, King Taejo. His alleged tomb, rediscovered in the sixteenth century, is still preserved by the modern-day members of the clan. This clan numbered only 26,300 members in the 2000 South Korean census.
Gwangsan The
Gwangsan Kim clan () was one of the most prominent clans during Joseon. The Gwangsan Kims are the descendants of Kim Heung-gwang (김흥광, 金興光), who was the third prince of
Sinmu of Silla, its 45th monarch.
Yaseong The Yaseong Kim clan () is from
Yeongdeok County. The name Yeongdeok replaced an earlier name, Yaseong, which means 'city in the wilderness', and dates its origins back to Silla.
Cheongpung The Cheongpung Kim clan ()
Gangneung The Gangneung Kim clan () originated from
Gangneung in
Gangwon Province. The progenitor was
Kim Chu-wŏn, who was a descendant of
Muyeol of Silla.
Sangsan The Sangsan Kim clan () originated from
Sangju in
North Gyeongsang Province. The progenitor was Kim Su () and the clan had members that participated in the Joseon government.
Ulsan The Ulsan Kim clan () originated from
Ulsan in
Yeongnam. One of the members of this clan,
Kim Inhu, was one of the 18 Sages of Korea and honored as a
Munmyo Bae-hyang ().
Seoheung The Seoheung Kim clan () was one of the smaller Kim clans during the Joseon. The progenitor was Kim Bo () and one of the members was
Kim Gwoeng-pil (), who was one of the 18 Sages of Korea and honored as Munmyo Bae-hyang ().
Wonju The
Wonju Kim clan () might be one of the smallest Kim clans during the Joseon. They had two members that became prime ministers during that period.
Jeonju According to the South Korean census of 2015, there were 56,989 members of the Jeonju Kim clan in South Korea. Its progenitor,
Kim T'ae-sŏ, was descended from the last king of Silla, Gyeongsun of Silla. South Korean artist
Kim Hee-chul is from the Jeonju clan, as are the
North Korean leaders
Kim Il Sung,
Kim Jong Il, and
Kim Jong Un.
Other clans • Ansan Kim, • Bu-an Kim, • Cheongdo Kim, • Cheongju Kim, • Daegu Kim, • Dogang Kim, (Gangjin Kim, ) • Eon-yang Kim, • Gaeseong Kim, • Geumsan Kim, • Gimnyeong Kim, • Gongju Kim, • Go-ryeong Kim, • Go-seong Kim, • Gwangju Kim, • Gyeongseong Kim, • Hanyang Kim, (Korean adoptees) • Jinju Kim, • Joong-hwa Kim, • Naju Kim, • Pungcheon Kim, • Pungsan Kim, • Samcheok Kim, • Seoha Kim, • Seonsan Kim, • Suncheon Kim, • Suwon Kim, • Ye-an Kim, • Yeongdong Kim, (Yeongsan Kim, ) • Yeong-gwang Kim, ==Notable people==