Choi (Korean surname)

• According to Samguk Sagi, the Gyeongju clan originates from chief Sobeoldori (소벌도리, 蘇伐都利) of Goheochon (고허촌, 高墟村), one of six villages that united to found Silla; The Gyeongju clan traces their origin back to Choi Chiwon (857–10th century), a noted Korean scholar, philosopher, and poet of the late Unified Silla period (668–935).
• One theory of origin suggests that Haeju clan's progenitor Ch'oe Ch'ung (984–1068) was given the surname 崔 during the reign of Goryeo king Mokjong.
• The progenitor of the Chungju clan is General Choi Seung (최승, 崔陞), also known as Choi Woo (최우, 崔偶), of Silla (known as Cui Sheng in the Tang dynasty)
• The progenitor of the Nangju clan is Choi Heun (최흔, 崔昕) of Silla who was a native of Yeongam (Nangju) of the southern Jeolla region.
• Choi Ri (최리, 崔理), who was known as the leader of the Kingdom of Nakrang

There are roughly 160 clans of Chois. Most of these are quite small. However, Choi is the 4th most common surname in Korea. The largest by far is the Gyeongju Choi clan, with a 2000 South Korean population of 976,820. The Gyeongju Choe claim the Silla scholar Ch'oe Ch'i-wŏn as their founder.[2]

• Gyeongju clan[2] – Ch'oe Ch'i-wŏn
• Jeonju clan[2] – Choe Bu
• Dongju clan[2]

Haeju Choi clan family seal

• Haeju clan[2] – Choe Chung
• Saknyeong clan[2] – Choe Hang, Choi Byung Ju (founding member modern era Korean Supreme Court)
• Gangneung clan[2]
• Hwasun clan[2]
• Ganghwa clan[2]
• Yeongcheon clan[2]
• Tamjin clan[2]
• Ubong clan[2]
• Suwaon clan[2]
• Yeongheung clan[2]
• Suseong clan[2]
• Chungju Choe clan[2]
• Goesan clan – Choe Sejin[3]
• Heunghae clan
• Yeongam clan
• Taein clan

Choi is written with the Hanja character 崔, meaning "a governor who oversees the land and the mountain".

In Korean, 최 is usually pronounced [tɕʰwe] "Chwe" or “Chey” except by some older speakers who pronounce it [tɕʰø] (this vowel sound is similar to the German ö [ø]). In English, it is most often pronounced /ˈtʃɔɪ/ "Choy", which sounds clearly different to its proper pronunciation but some go by “Chey”.

• Ch'oe Ch'ung-hŏn (1149–1219), military dictator of the Goryeo period
• Ch'oe U (1166–1249), military dictator of the Goryeo period
• Ch'oe Mu-sŏn (1330–1395), Korean scientist, inventor, and military commander
• Ch'oe Yŏng (1316–1388), military general of the Goryeo period
• Ch'oe Ch'i-wŏn (859–?), Korean philosopher during the Silla dynasty
• Choe Han-gi (1803–1877), Korean Confucian scholar and philosopher
• Choe Je-u (1824–1864), founder of the Donghak movement
• Choe Man-ri (???–1445), associate professor and early critic of hangul
• Choe Sejin (1465–1542), Korean linguist
• Royal Noble Consort Sukbin Choe (1670–1718), royal consort
• Choe Yeong-kyeong (1529–1590), scholar-official of the Joseon period

• Cui – Chinese surname
• Choi
• Tsoi
• List of Korean family names

• Official site of the Gyeongju Choi Association, in Korean