The Wonju Byeon or Byun clan (Korean: 원주 변씨; Hanja: 原州 邉氏) is a Korean clan. Its Bon-gwan(Main Building) is in Wonju, Gangwon Province (historical). According to research in 2015, the clan had 47,804 members. Clan members live on both the Korean Peninsula and in the United States, and their surnames are variously Romanized as Byun, Pyon, and Pyun. The founder of the clan was Byeon or Byun An-ryeol (Korean: 변안렬, Hanja: 邉安烈, Hanyu Pinyin: Biān Ānliè, 1334-1390), a renowned military general during the late Goryeo Dynasty.

Clan founder

Byeon or Byun An-ryeol was born in April 1334 in Shenyang in present-day China’s Liaoning Province. His ancestor, Byeon or Byun Ryeo (Korean: 변려, Hanja: 邉呂), was a naturalized resident of Hwangju County in present-day North Korea’s North Hwanghae Province during the North Song Dynasty in China. Ryeo is a progenitor of Hwangju Byeon or Byun. Byeon Byun An-ryeol’s grandfather, Byeon Sun or Byun Soon (Korean: 변순, Hanja: 邉順), returned to China (At that time, the name China was not the name of a country, but meant the central continent.) in 1268 to be appointed by the Yuan Dynasty as a high official of 1,000 households (Chinese: 千户侯) in Shenyang. Byeon Sun or Byun Soon was a great-great-grandchild of Byeon or Byun Ryeo (Korean: 변려, Hanja: 邉呂), and Byeon or Byun Ryeo was a son of Byeon Yo or Byun Hyun.

In 1352, Byeon or Byun An-ryeol entered Goryeo by accompanying Princess Noguk with Byun, Sook (Korean: 변숙, Hanja: 邉肅) and Byun, Anseo, an ethnic Mongol princess (Yuan dynasty) that became queen of Goryeo by marriage to Goryeo King Gongmin, as her fatherly master.^[1] Because of his exploits during a punitive military expedition he carried out in Jeju Island along with fellow Goryeo general Choe Yeong, he was commended during the reign of King U of Goryeo. In 1361, Byeon led his forces in routing the anti-Yuan Red Turban rebels on the battlefield and was promoted for his accomplishments. In 1374, he joined fellow Goryeo general Yi Seong-gye in successfully repulsing Japanese pirates and was rewarded with a prestigious title.

On January 16, 1390, Byeon was executed after the Goryeo bureaucrat and politician Kim Jeo implicated him in an unclear confession in a plot to restore King U to the throne after he was deposed by Yi. His family members were pardoned. Yi ascended to the throne in 1392 and established the Joseon Dynasty.

The Tomb of Daeeun Byeon or Byun An-ryeol is located in the town of Jingeon in Namyangju, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. On September 2, 2002, the tomb was designated Gyeonggi Province Cultural Material No. 116.

Byeon or Byun was portrayed by South Korean actor Song Geum-sik in the 2014 South Korean television series Jeong Dojeon.

History and surname

The history of the Byeon or Byun clan in Korean history began with the Jangyeon Byeon or Byun clan (Hamgyong Province around 1100), whose progenitor was Yooyeong during the Goryeo Dynasty. Ryeo is the 5th generation of the Jangyeon Byeon or Byun clan, and continues through the Hwangju Byeon or Byun clan (Hwanghae Province around 1200), which has Ryeo as its progenitor. And An-ryeol is the 8th generation of the Hwangju Byeon or Byun clan, and continues to the Wonju Byeon or Byun clan (Gangwon Province around 1300), which has An-ryeol as its progenitor. From An-yeol's grandfather, An-yeol held official positions and lived in the Yuan Dynasty. An-yeol, the 8th generation of the Hwangju Byeon or Byun clan, moved to Goryeo. The progenitor of the Jang Yeon Byeon or Byun clan, Yooyeong's father was Yeon, his grandfather was Joongryang, his great-grandfather was Kyung, and his great-great-grandfather was Ang. Ang served as Deasado of the Song Dynasty, Kyung served as Munhaseubsihu of the Song Dynasty and Daeahchan of Silla, Joongryang served as a Pyeongjangsa of the Song Dynasty, and Yeon served as Byungbusangseo of the Song Dynasty. Yooyeong served as Pandongseo of the Song Dynasty and Jungmunjihu of Goryeo.

The following is about the letters of Byun(邉). If you look for information on this character, Byun (邉), it is said that Byun (邉) is a ‘Different Shape Letter’ of Byun (邊), and it is common to use a ‘Different Shape Letter’ in East Asia. This character, Byun (邊), means the edge or side, and is also used as a surname. The reason why ‘Different Shape Letters’ are used is that they are used when a certain letter has several meanings and one of them is emphasized. Surname, Byun (邉) is composed of four letters as follows. First, Baek (白) is 'white color' (or Ja自is ‘self’), Second, shaved head (冖) is 'a symbol representing a distinct shape', Third, In (儿) is 'the appearance of a child', and Fourth, gu (口) has the meaning of 'entrance or mouth'. It (辶) is meaningless because it is a way to organize and arrange the character. When these four are combined, it becomes a character that means 'The Appearance of a Person with a Pure and Clean Heart'.^[2]

Fractions or branches of Wonju Byun

Fractions were created based on the official positions of each descendant. For example, Byun, Sook (邉肅) is the father of the duke Jeonseo fraction (典書公派). His official position was Hobujeonseo (戶部典書 currently ministerial level) of Gajeongdaebu (嘉靖大夫) during the Goryeo Dynasty. Byun, Ryangbo (邉良輔) is the father of the duke Cheomji fraction (僉知公派). His official position was Cheomjungchu (僉中樞 currently a major general in the military rank) during the Joseon Dynasty. In 2023, the descendants of the duke Jeonseo faction are continuing through the 23rd generation, and the descendants of the duke Cheomji faction are continuing through the 18th generation.

Byun, Sook (邉肅): Duke Jeonseo Fraction (典書公派)

Byun, Ryangbo (邉良輔): Duke Cheomji Fraction (僉知公派)

Byun, Geukchung (邉克忠): Duke Byeoljwa Fraction(別坐公派)

Byun, Geukmin (邉克愍): Duke Chamui Fraction (參議公派)

Byun, Chahee (邉次熹): Duke Cheomchu Fraction(僉樞公派)

Byun, Sangjo (邉尙朝): Duke Namburyeong Fraction (南部令公派)

Byun, Sanggeun (邉尙覲): Duke Hogun Fraction (護廍公派)

Byun, Sanghoi (邉尙會): Duke Champan Fraction(參判公派)

Byun, Sangdong (邉尙同): Duke Gamchal Fraction (監察公派)

Byun, Sangbing (邉尙聘): Duke Gunsu Fraction (郡守公派)

Byun, Sangbok (邉尙服): Duke Buma Fraction (駙馬公派)

Byun, Yeongcheong (邉永淸): Duke Sayong Fraction (司勇公派)

Byun, Secheong (邉世淸): Duke Jungnangjang Fraction(中郞將公派)

Generation Characters

Generation Characters were used starting from the 5th generation and were not used for the 6th, 8th, 10th, and 12th generations because their names were one letter (a single character). Starting from the 16th generation, Generation Characters were created using 'Five Elements'. 'Five Elements' consist of Wood, Fire, Soil, Metal, and Water. Generation Characters' radicals(index components) are 'Five Elements'. 'Generation Characters' were written as the first and second letters alternately for each generation. The reason for using Generation Characters is as a way to identify which generation is within the same clan.

Other prominent members

Another prominent clan member was Pyon Su (Korean: 변수, Hanja: 邊燧, also known as Penn Su, 1861-1891), a Korean diplomat that in 1891 became the first Korean student ever to receive a degree from an American institution. Pyon received a degree from the Maryland Agricultural College (MAC), now known as the University of Maryland.^[3] Pyon was part of the first Korean diplomatic delegation to the U.S., the Bobingsa (Korean: 보빙사, Hanja: 報聘使), which was dispatched by Joseon King Gojong in July 1883 to study the West’s industrialization and modernization processes. The delegation met with then U.S. President Chester A. Arthur. Pyon eventually became involved in the radical reformist political movements of late-19th-century Korea and played a role in fomenting the failed Gapsin Coup of 1884. Pyon fled Korea and ultimately migrated to Japan and the U.S., where he obtained his degree and briefly worked for the U.S. Department of Agriculture. He possessed Chinese, Japanese, and English language capabilities. Pyon died in 1891 after he was struck by a train.^[3] He is buried in Beltsville, Maryland. On December 21, 2020, the University of Maryland announced that it would name a new residence hall the “Pyon-Chen Hall” in honor of Pyon and Chunjen Constant Chen, who in 1915 became the first Chinese student to enroll at MAC.^[3]

Another prominent clan member was Byun, Sook (Korean: 변숙, Hanja: 邉肅, ?-1399). Sook Byun is the second generation of the Wonju Byun clan and the founder of the duke Jeonseo fraction. Sook, along with Jeong Mong-ju, was a loyal subject of the late Goryeo Dynasty and a person who maintained the political integrity of Goryeo. Jeong Mong-ju's pen name was Poeun. King Taejo of Joseon (Lee Seong-gye King Taejo) imprisoned Sook's wife and children, and Sook crossed over to Byeokranjin to the west with her son, Eulchung Byun. When Goryeo fell, Sook kept his loyalty that he could not serve two kings, so he moved his residence to Paechon county and called the people who lived there Moryejeolsa (慕麗節士). He is one of the 72 counties of Dumundong 두문동(杜門洞). Moryejeolsa (慕麗節士) means admiring Goryeo and maintaining fidelity. Dumun-dong is the old name of the western foot of Gwangdeok Mountain in Gwangdeok-myeon, Kaepung county. Dumundong Seventy-Two People (杜門洞七十二人) or Dumundong Seventy-Two Hyeon (杜門洞七十二賢) refer to the 72 Yusin (遺臣) who are said to have been loyal to Goryeo and maintained fidelity immediately after the fall of Goryeo. Dumundong Seventy-Two Hyeon was a representative symbol of fidelity and loyalty in Korea before modernization. The tomb is located in Jaegyeong-dong (near Kaesong), at the eastern foot of Yongsu Mountain, Dong-myeon, Yonan-gun.

Another prominent clan member was Byun, Ryangbo (Korean: 변량보, Hanja: 邉良輔, 1596-1640). Ryangbo Byun is the father of the Duke Cheomji fraction of the Wonju Byun clan. He is the seventh generation of the Wonju Byun clan, the sixth generation of Jeonseo fraction of the Wonju Byun clan. Ryangbo Byun’s Courtesy name was Kukno (國老 Treat him like a king). Ryangbo served as Cheomjungchu (僉中樞 currently, administrator or military rank Major General). He had four sons, Soo (洙), Sok (涑), Ki (沂), and Rak (洛). He is the progenitor of the Cheomji faction. Cheomji was the official rank of Jeong 3 Pum military officer of the central government. Ryangbo's younger brothers used their official positions to each become new fractions of the Wonju Byun clan. Ryangbo's (良輔) younger brothers are Ryangjwa, Ryangwu, Ryangun, and Ryanggirl. Ryangjwa (良佐) is the duke Gapsan faction, Ryangwu (良佑) is the duke Moksa faction, Ryangun (良彦) is the duke Jangsarang faction, and Ryanggirl is the duke Jeongui faction. Ryanggirl (良傑) was a Chungcheong-do naval commander (currently a general) during the Japanese invasions of Joseon, commonly known as the Limjin War, and contributed to protecting Ganghwa Island.

Another prominent clan member was Byun, Yijin (Korean: 변이진, Hanja: 邉以震, 1596-1640). Yijin Byun is the ninth generation of the Wonju Byun clan, the eighth generation of Jeonseo fraction of the Wonju Byun clan, and the third generation of Cheomji fraction of the Wonju Byun clan. Yijin Byun’s Courtesy name was Hyungbo (亨甫). Yijin was born on February 2, 1596 (February 29, 1596. King Seonjo of Joseon dynasty). Yijin passed a mugwa (a military service exam) in 1620 (King Gwanghaegun of Joseon dynasty). Yijin served King Injo (1623-1649) as a Seonjeongwan (Major General) and was invested with the title of a Dosa (Jong 5 Pum, Vice-Governor) and Gyeongnyeok (Jong 5 Pum, Lieutenant Colonel) of a Dochongbu (Highest military authority). In 1624 (King Injo of Joseon dynasty), Yi Gwal's Rebellion had broken out, and Yijin defeated Yi Gwal’s army at Capital and Ansan. In 1638, Yijin was invested with the title of Jeolla Jwasuwuhu (Jong 3 Pum, military service position Colonel). On January 25, 1640 (February 16, 1640. King Injo of Joseon dynasty), Yijin faced enemies(Japanese) at the sea in front of Chilsan, Yeongam County (Songseok-ri, Haeje-myeon, Muan County, South Jeolla Province), and died in the line of duty. After Yijin’s death, the Joseon royal court invested him with the title of a Byungjochamui (Jeong 2 Pum, Minister). The tomb is located in a resting place in the Hodu mountain in Yucheonmyeon, Paechon County.

Another prominent clan member was Byun, Eungzou (Korean: 변응주, Hanja: 邉應周, 1929-2016). Eungzou Byun is the 22nd generation of the Wonju Byun clan, the 21st generation of Jeonseo fraction of the Wonju Byun clan, and the sixteenth generation of Cheomji fraction of the Wonju Byun clan. Eungzou Byun was a South Korean soldier during the Korean War. During the Korean War from 1951 to 1954, he served as a soldier in the Korea Liaison Office and worked as a math teacher at Ganghwa Middle School (currently Ganghwa Girls' Middle School, 11 Gapryong-gil, Ganghwa-eup, Ganghwa-gun, Ganghwa County, Incheon) to collect information about North Korea in the area near the armistice line. He disguised himself as a school teacher and was tasked with conveying North Korean military secrets to the South Korean military. He worked at Amorepacific Corporation from 1955 to 1969. He created the foundation of the company with Seong-Hwan Suh(Suh Kyung-bae's father), President of Amorepacific Corporation. The tomb is located in Icheon National Cemetery and the address is 1085 Daejuk-ri ,260 Noseong-ro, Seolseong-myeon, Icheon City, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea.

See also

• Korean clan names of foreign origin

References

Wonju Byun clan genealogy

• ‘Wonju Byun Clan Sebo (원주변씨세보原州邉氏世譜 genealogy): Gaseung (가승家乘).’ 21st generation descendant of the Wonju Byun Clan. 1996.

• ‘Wonju Byun Clan Jeonseogongpa Sebo (원주변씨原州邉氏전서공파세보典書公派世譜 genealogy of duke Jeonseo fraction)’. Wonju Byun Clan Association, 2002.

• ‘Wonju Byun Clan Cheomchugongpa (원주변씨原州邉氏첨추공파僉樞公派 duke Cheomchu fraction) Geochonmunjungbo (거촌문중보巨村門中譜 genealogy of Geochonmu fraction) Literature Collection’. Yeolhwadang, 2020. ISBN 978-89-301-0681-8

• 72 prefectures of Dumundong (변숙邉肅, 두문동杜門洞)

• THE STORY OF…. Your Great-Grandfathers: Duke Jeonseo and Cheomji Fraction of Wonju Byun Clan 1138~1945 ISBN 979-11-93655-81-8

• Your Grandfather's Story ISBN 979-11-93577-96-7

• Even if I am reborn, I will run a Cosmetics Business. ISBN 978-89-255-5717-5

• Duke Jeonseo and Cheomji Fraction of Wonju Byun Clan

Biographic material

• Goryeosa (Korean: 고려사, Hanja: 高麗史), Volume 126 (contains a biography of Byeon An-ryeol)

External links

• Doosan Encyclopedia 외래귀화성씨 外來歸化姓氏. Doosan Encyclopedia.