Ko (

Hanja Hanja (Hangul: ; Hanja: , ), alternatively known as Hancha, are Chinese characters () used in the writing of Korean. Hanja was used as early as the Gojoseon period, the first ever Korean kingdom. (, ) refers to Sino-Korean vocabulary, ...

: 髙, 高), also variously romanized Go, Goh, or Koh, is a common

Korean family name This is a list of Korean surnames, in Hangul alphabetical order. Note: (S) denotes South Korea. (N) denotes North Korea. The most common Korean family name (particularly in South Korea) is Kim, followed by Lee and Park. These three family nam ...

. As of the 2000 South Korean census, there were 435,000 Kos in South Korea, accounting for just under 1% of the population.

Liaoyang Liaoyang () is a prefecture-level city of east-central Liaoning province, China, situated on the Taizi River. It is approximately one hour south of Shenyang, the provincial capital, by car. Liaoyang is home to Liaoning University's College of ...

(

: 遼陽) based Go (

: 高) family is The Royal of

Goguryeo Goguryeo (37 BC–668 AD) ( ) also called Goryeo (), was a Korean kingdom located in the northern and central parts of the Korean Peninsula and the southern and central parts of Northeast China. At its peak of power, Goguryeo controlled mos ...

Northern Yan Yan, known in historiography as the Northern Yan (; 407 or 409–436), Eastern Yan () or Huanglong (), was a dynastic state of China during the era of Sixteen Kingdoms. Some historians consider Gao Yun, a member of the Goguryeo royal family, to ...

ruler Gao Yun (

: 高雲),

Tang Dynasty The Tang dynasty (, ; zh, t= ), or Tang Empire, was an imperial dynasty of China that ruled from 618 to 907 AD, with an interregnum between 690 and 705. It was preceded by the Sui dynasty and followed by the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdo ...

general

Gao Xianzhi Gao Xianzhi, or Go Seonji, (died January 24, 756) was a Tang dynasty general of Goguryeo descent. He was known as a great commander during his lifetime. He is most well known for taking part in multiple military expeditions to conquer the Western ...

(

: 高仙芝) has

origin. In South Korea,

Hoengseong Hoengseong County is a county A county is a geographic region of a country used for administrative or other purposes Chambers Dictionary, L. Brookes (ed.), 2005, Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd, Edinburgh in certain modern nations. The term ...

Go clan is also descended from the Royal dynasty of

and the clan's genealogy book specifies

Dongmyeong of Goguryeo Chumo (Hangul: 추모, Hanja: 鄒牟), posthumously Chumo the Holy (Hangul: 추모성왕, Hanja: 鄒牟聖王), was the founding monarch of the kingdom of Goguryeo, and was worshipped as a god-king by the people of Goguryeo and Goryeo. ''Chumo ...

as the direct ancestor. Japan's Koma (高麗) clan is also descendant of royal dynasty of Goguryeo. Chinese character 高麗 (Koma) originates from Goguryeo's abbreviated name (Ko'gu'ryo -> Koryo), but in Japan, 'ryo' is pronounced as 'ma'. Koryo is also the name of 10 century Korea name unified and founded by Wang dynasty, a noble family originating from Goguryeo (Koguryo), and presently known name of the country, Korea (English pronunciation of Koryo). These Go clans in three countries are called Goguryeo Go (koguryo Ko) in common. Thus, it can be said the part 'Ko' from 'Korea' originates from the surname 'Ko', Ko(gu)ryo Dynasty surname.

Origin

According to the ''

Samguk Sagi ''Samguk Sagi'' (, ''History of the Three Kingdoms'') is a historical record of the Three Kingdoms of Korea: Goguryeo, Baekje and Silla. The ''Samguk Sagi'' is written in Classical Chinese, the written language of the literati of ancient Kore ...

'', the Goguryeo royal family claimed descent from the mythical god Gao Yang, who was the grandson of the

Yellow Emperor The Yellow Emperor, also known as the Yellow Thearch or by his Chinese name Huangdi (), is a deity ('' shen'') in Chinese religion, one of the legendary Chinese sovereigns and culture heroes included among the mytho-historical Three Sovereig ...

Chinese mythology Chinese mythology () is mythology that has been passed down in oral form or recorded in literature in the geographic area now known as Greater China. Chinese mythology includes many varied myths from regional and cultural traditions. Much of ...

, and thus took the surname of "Go" (高); however, this legend was discredited in the commentaries () by

Kim Busik Kim Bu-sik, or Gim Busik (; 1075–1151) was a statesman, general, Confucian scholar and writer during Korea's Goryeo period. He was a scion of the Silla royalty and a member of the Gyeongju Kim clan. Later he was the supreme chancellor from 1136 ...

, the compiler of the ''Samguk Sagi'', who concluded that both Baekje and Goguryeo originated from Buyeo.

Go or Goh

Go Ah-sung Go Ah-sung is a South Korean actress. She began her career as a child actress, notably in '' The Host''. Her other notable works include ''Snowpiercer'' (2013), '' Samjin Company English Class'' (2020), as well as the TV dramas '' Master of Stu ...

(born 1992), South Korean actress *

Go Ara Go Ara (; born February 11, 1990) is a South Korean actress and model. She is best known for starring in the television series '' Sharp'' (2003), '' Heading to the Ground'' (2009), ''Reply 1994'' (2013), '' You're All Surrounded'' (2014), '' Hw ...

(born 1990), South Korean actress and model *

Go Bo-gyeol Go Bo-gyeol (; born May 2, 1988) is a South Korean actress and model. She made her acting debut in 2011 film ''Turtles''. Career Go Bo-gyeol made her debut as an actress in 2011 movie ''Turtles''. Her TV series debut was '' Angel’s Revenge'' ...

(born 1988) South Korean actress *

Go Doo-shim Go Doo-shim (; born May 22, 1951) is a South Korean actress. Career A native of Jeju Island, Go Doo-shim made her acting debut in 1972 and since then she had a prolific career on television, film and theater. Best known for playing the quintes ...

(born 1951), South Korean actress *

Go Hui-dong Go Hui-dong (1886–1965), also known by the pen name Chun-gok, born in Seoul, was the first Korean painter to adopt Western styles. He spent most of his life in Seoul. He studied French there from 1899 to 1903 and briefly took a post with the ...

(1886–1965), South Korean painter *

Go Hyun-jung Go Hyun-jung (; born March 2, 1971) is a South Korean actress. She debuted in the entertainment industry as a Miss Korea runner-up in 1989 and went on to star in '' Sandglass ''(1995), one of the highest-rated and critically acclaimed dramas in ...

(born 1971), South Korean actress *

Go Joo-won Go Joo-won (born Go Young-chul on October 16, 1981) is a South Korean actor. He made his acting debut in the 2003 boxing series ''Punch'', followed by a supporting role in the revenge-themed ''Resurrection'' (2005). In 2006, Go became a househol ...

(born 1981), South Korean actor *

Goh Kun Goh Kun (Hangul: 고건, Hanja: 高建, born January 2, 1938) is a South Korean politician, the former Prime Minister of South Korea and former Acting President of South Korea. Career Goh was a Minister of Parliament during the 1980s, before b ...

(born 1938), South Korean politician, former

Prime Minister of South Korea The prime minister of the Republic of Korea (PMOTROK or PMOSK; ) is the deputy head of government and the second highest political office of South Korea who is appointed by the President of the Republic of Korea, with the National Assembly's ap ...

and former Acting President of South Korea. *

Go Min-si Go Min-si (born February 15, 1995) is a South Korean actress, model and director managed by Mystic Story Entertainment. She is known for her prominent roles in ''Sweet Home'', '' Love Alarm'', '' Youth of May,'' and '' The Witch''. She is also ...

(born 1995), South Korean actress *

Go Soo Go Soo (born October 4, 1978), also known as Ko Soo, is a South Korean actor. He has appeared in television series such as ''Piano'', ''Green Rose'' and ''Will It Snow for Christmas?'', as well as the films '' White Night'' and '' The Front Line' ...

(born 1978), South Korean actor *

Holland Holland is a geographical regionG. Geerts & H. Heestermans, 1981, ''Groot Woordenboek der Nederlandse Taal. Deel I'', Van Dale Lexicografie, Utrecht, p 1105 and former province on the western coast of the Netherlands. From the 10th to the 16th c ...

(born Go Tae-seob, 1996), South Korean singer *

Younha Go Youn-ha (Hangul: 고윤하, Hanja: 高潤荷; born April 29, 1988), known mononymously as Younha, is a South Korean singer-songwriter and record producer. She began her career in 2004 in Japan, where she was nicknamed the "Oricon Comet" for ...

(born Go Youn-ha, 1988), South Korean singer-songwriter and record producer * Ryeoun (born Go Yoon-hwan, 1998), South Korean actor *

Go Yoon Go Yoon (born Kim Jong-min; September 12, 1988) is a South Korean actor. He is perhaps known for his roles in the television series ''Criminal Minds ''Criminal Minds'' is an American police procedural crime drama television series created an ...

(born Kim Jong-min, 1988), South Korean actor * Go Youn-jung (born 1996), South Korean model and actress

Ko or Koh

Harold Hongju Koh Harold Hongju Koh (born December 8, 1954) is an American lawyer and legal scholar who served as the legal adviser of the Department of State in the Obama administration. He was nominated to this position by President Barack Obama on March 23, ...

(born 1954), American lawyer and law professor * Howard Koh (born 1952), American politician, former

United States Assistant Secretary for Health The assistant secretary for health (ASH) is a senior U.S. government official within the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The position is a statutory office () and the holder of the office serves as the United Stat ...

Ko Yong-hui Ko Yong-hui (; ; 26 June 1952 – 13 August 2004), also spelled Ko Young-hee, was the consort of North Korean supreme leader Kim Jong-il and the mother of his successor, Kim Jong-un. Within North Korea, she is only referred to by titles, such ...

(born 1952), North Korean dancer and mistress of Kim Jong-il *

Ko Im-pyo Ko Im-pyo is a South Korean film editor. Selected filmography *'' First Kiss'' (1998) *'' If the Sun Rises in the West'' (1998) *'' Attack the Gas Station'' (1999) *''Kick the Moon'' (2001) *'' A.F.R.I.K.A.'' (2002) *''Public Enemy'' (2002) *' ...

(born 1962), South Korean film editor *

Ko Ji-yong Ko Ji-yong (born July 1, 1980) is a South Korean singer and businessman. He was a member of Sechs Kies, a first generation K-pop idol dance group which disbanded in 2000 but reunited in 2016. Unlike most of the other members, Ko left the ente ...

(born 1980), South Korean singer and member of boy band

Sechs Kies Sechs Kies (pronounced as ; ko, 젝스키스) is a first generation South Korean boy band. Making their debut on April 15, 1997, they are one of the first K-pop idol groups, credited with pioneering the idol scene and fandom culture. The grou ...

Lydia Ko Lydia Ko (born 24 April 1997) is a New Zealand professional golfer and the No. 1-ranked woman professional golfer. She first achieved the top ranking on 2 February 2015 at of age, making her the youngest player of either gender to be ranked ...

(born 1997), South Korea-born New Zealand golfer * Ko Moo-yeol (born 1990), South Korean footballer * Ko So-young (born 1972), South Korean actress and model * Ko Sung-hyun (born 1987), South Korean badminton player * Ko Sung-kuk (born 1955), South Korean political scientist *

Ko Un Ko Un (born 1 August 1933) is a South Korean poet whose works have been translated and published in more than fifteen countries. He had been imprisoned many times due to his role in the campaign for Korean democracy and was later mentioned in K ...

(born 1933), South Korean poet *

Ko Joo-yeon Ko Joo-yeon (born February 22, 1994) is a South Korean actress who has gained attention in the Korean film industry for her roles in ''Blue Swallow'' (2005) and '' The Fox Family'' (2006).List of Korean family names This is a list of Korean surnames, in Hangul alphabetical order. Note: (S) denotes South Korea. (N) denotes North Korea. The most common Korean family name (particularly in South Korea) is Kim, followed by Lee and Park. These three family name ...

Korean name A Korean name (Hangul: ; Hanja: ) consists of a family name followed by a given name, as used by the Korean people in both South Korea and North Korea. In the Korean language, ''ireum'' or ''seongmyeong'' usually refers to the family name (''se ...

References

{{surname, Ko Korean-language surnames vi:Cao (họ)