Ahn, also romanized An, is a Korean family name. 109 Korean clans are named 'Ahn', 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. 109 Ahn clans are extant today. However, most of these are very small. The majority of Ahns claim membership in the Sunheung Ahn clan (the highest and most noble clan of Ahns with the most well-known "blue-blood" status), also called An clan of Sunheung. The Kwangju and Juksan clans are also quite large and are associated with "blue-blood" status; in addition to these, the Tamjin, Gongsan, Chungju, Dongju, Jeuongwon, Ansan, Jecheon, Angang, and Jucheon clans are significant. Sunheung Clan 73.5% of 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 Ahn, and was one of the Six Greatest Clans of all Korean clans during the Goryeo Dynasty and early Joseon Dynasty. Sunheung Clan in Goryeo Dynasty They have enjoyed "blue-blood" status as nobility since their earliest history in the Goryeo dynasty and throughout the Joseon dynasty (July 1392 - August 1910). The founder of the Sunheung-Ahn Clan was a famous military commander of Goryeo named Ahn Ja-mi. Ahn Ja-mi commanded Hongwiwi, the troop that escorted the Royal family, greeted foreign envoys, participated in national ceremonies, fought in wars, and guarded the frontier (border area) in Goryeo Dynasty. Ahn Jami was honoured the title of the supreme commander of Samhowi (one of 3 Central Command) by King Sinjong of Goryeo. Founder Ahn Jami had three sons, Ahn Yeong-yu, Ahn Yeong-rin, Ahn Yeong-hwa. The Sunheung-Ahn Clan is divided into 3 different branches based on which of the three sons they descend from. The First Branch descending from Ahn Yeong-yu