"Shin" or "Sin"
Shin is aKorean surname . Other rarer romanizations of this surname includeSin orSheen .
There are threeChinese characters that can be read asShin . Between these three characters, there are seven differentKorean clans , each of which descends from a different ancestral founder. Two of the six, theYeongsan Shin clan and theGeochang Shin clan , both trace their origins back toChina . Members of the various Shin clans can be found throughout theKorean peninsula .
As with otherKorean family names , the holders of the "Shin" family name are divided into various clans, each known by the name of a town or city, calledbon-gwan inKorean . Usually that town or city is the one where the clan's founder lived. The six Shin branches are as follows:
Although the first four clans — Pyongsan, Goryeong, Aju, and Saknyeong — share the same Chinese character (申 ), they are unrelated in heritage.
Shrine of Shin Sung-gyeom in northernDaegu . ThePyongsan Shin clan lineage makes up about 70% of all those with the surname Shin using theChinese character 申 . The clan's founder was GeneralSin Sung-gyŏm . This clan associated with a mountain in North Korea called "Pyongsan" (平山 , literally "mountain of peace"). Sin Sung-gyŏm was originally namedSamneungsan (三能山 , literally "mountain of three talents"), without a family name, before being granted the Sin surname by KingTaejo of Goryeo .
According to the Pyongsan Shin family legend, one day when King Taejo and his generals went out hunting near Pyeongsan, Taejo saw three geese flying above, and asked his generals whether any of them could shoot the geese down.Sin Sung-gyŏm volunteered and asked Taejo which one he should shoot. Taejo asked Shin to shoot the third goose in its left wing and, to Taejo's surprise, Sin successfully felled the goose. Highly impressed, Taejo gifted Sin with 300gyeol (결; 結 , an ancient measurement of area) of local land, which became Sin's hometown.
Sin Sung-gyŏm also saved the life of KingTaejo of Goryeo during a disastrous battle withLater Baekje near present-dayDaegu in the early10th century . Taejo awarded General Sin the clan name Pyongsan Sin, after his hometown, for the loyalty and bravery he showed in the battle. Other prominent members of this clan include the 16th-century artist, writer, and poetShin Saimdang and the 19th-centurypansori writerShin Jae-hyo .
Every year, a number of descendants of thePyongsan Shin clan gather at the memorial shrine ofSin Sung-gyŏm in theSouth Korean province ofGangwon Province . Prior to theKorean War , the original shrine was situated in the now North-Korean province ofHwanghae Province , to which the clan land of Pyeongsan traces its roots.
Another well-known family line that also uses the Hanja character申 is the Goryeong Shin clan, descended fromSin Sukchu , the lead scholar working with KingSejong the Great in the development ofHangul , the Korean written language. Sin Sukchu was also a high ranking government minister and belonged to theHall of Worthies . The Goryeong Shin lineage makes up about 17% of all those with the surname (申 ). Three of five members of Sin Sukchu's 16th generation are known to have immigrated to theUnited States in the 1970s, such as the physician David Sheen. Another prominent member of the clan is DanjaeShin Chaeho , a 19th-century nationalist historian.
Sin Sung-gyŏm (died 927), general of the Later Three Kingdoms periodSin Ton (1322–1371), Buddhist monk and regent of the reign of King Gongmin of GoryeoSin Sukchu (1417-1475), Joseon politicianSin Saimdang (1504–1551), Joseon artist, writer, calligraphist, poetShin Ryu (1619–1680), Joseon generalShin Gye-am (fl. 1620s–1630s ), Jurchen and Manchu interpreter Sin Kwangsu (1712–1775), Joseon poetSin Yunbok (1758–1813), Joseon painterShin Jae-hyo (1812–1884), Joseonpansori theorist and writerSin Sun-seong (1878–1944), Imperial Korean Navy captainShin Gyu-sik (1880–1922), Korean independence activistShin Chae-ho (1880–1936), Korean independence activist and historianShin Pal-gyun (1882–1924), Korean independence activistShin Song-mo (1891–1960), South Korean independence activist and politicianSin Ik-hui (1894–1956), South Korean independence activist and politicianShin A-lam (born 1986), South Korean épée fencer, Olympic silver medalistShin A-young (born 1987), South Korean television personalityShin Ae-ra (born 1969), South Korean actressAlbert Shin , Canadian filmmakerShin Baek-cheol (born 1989), South Korean badminton playerShin Bo-ra (born 1987), South Korean comedian, singer, actressShin Bong-shik (born 1992), South Korean snowboarderShin Bong-sun (born 1980), South Korean comedianSin Byung-ho (born 1977), South Korean former footballerShin Byung-kook (born 1978), South Korean biathleteShin Che-bon (born 1971), South Korean former footballerShin Cheol-jin (born 1956), South Korean actorShin Choon-ho (1930–2021), South Korean businessman, founder of NongshimShin Da-eun (born 1985), South Korean actressShin Da-hae (born 1988), South Korean snowboarderShin Daechul (born 1967), South Korean rock/heavy metal guitarist and leader of SinaweShin Dalja (born 1943), South Korean poetShin Dam-yeong (born 1993), South Korean footballerShin Dong-bin (born 1956), Japanese-born South Korean businessmanShin Dong-gab (stage nameThe Quiett , born 1985), South Korean rapper, composer, lyricist, record producer Shin Dong-ho (born 1994), South Korean singer, former member of boy band U-KISSShin Dong-hee (stage nameShindong , born 1985), singer, dancer, member of boy band Super Junior Shin Dong-hyuk (born 1980 or 1982), North Korean defector and human rights activistShin Dong-il (born 1968), South Korean film director and scriptwriterShin Dong-in (born 1994), South Korean cyclistShin Dong-keun (born 1981), South Korean footballerShin Dong-kun (born 1961), South Korean dentist and politicianShin Dong-mi (born 1977), South Korean actressShin Dong-pa (born 1944), South Korean basketball coach and former playerSin Dong-ui (born 1941), South Korean wrestlerShin Dong-woo (stage nameCNU , born 1991), South Korean singer and actor, member of boy group B1A4 Shin Dong-woo (born 1998), South Korean actorShin Dong-wook (born 1982), South Korean actorShin Dong-yeol (stage nameBill Stax , born 1980), South Korean rapper Shin Dong-yup (poet) (1930–1969), South Korean poetShin Dong-yup (entertainer) (born 1971), South Korean comedian and hostEddie Shin (born 1976), American actorSin Eui-hyun (born 1980), South Korean male cross-country skier and biathleteShin Eui-kyung (1898–1988), South Korean educator, independence activist, politicianShin Eui-son (born Valeri Sarychev, 1960), Tajik-born South Korean footballerShin Eun-chul (born 1973), South Korean retired amateur boxerShin Eun-joo (born 1993), South Korean handball playerShin Eun-jung (born 1974), South Korean actressShin Eun-kyung (born 1973), South Korean actressShin Eun-mi (born 1961), Korean-American classical singer and writerShin Eun-soo (born 2002), South Korean actressShin Gabee (born 1993), South Korean dancer and choreographerShin Goo (born 1936), South Korean actorShin Gwang-il (born 1997), South Korean singer and musician, member of band LUCYSin Gwang-su (spy) (born 1929), North Korean spySin Gwang-suk (born 1946), South Korean fencerShin Ha-eun , South Korean television screenwriterShin Ha-kyun (born 1974), South Korean actorShin Ha-young (born 1993), South Korean actressShin Hae-chul (1968-2014), South Korean singerShin Hea-sook (born 1957), South Korean former figure skaterShin Hong-gi (born 1968), South Korean former professional footballerShin Hwa-yong (born 1983), South Korean footballerShin Hye-jeong (born 1993), South Korean singer and actress, former member of girl group AOAShin Hye-sun (born 1989), South Korean actressShin Hye-sung (born 1979), South Korean singer-songwriter, member of boy band ShinhwaShin Hyo-seob (stage name Crush, born 1992), South Korean singer-songwriterShin Hyun-been (born 1986), South Korean actressHyun Ji Shin (born 1996), South Korean fashion modelShin Hyun-joon (general) (1915–2007), South Korean generalShin Hyun-joon (actor) (born 1968), South Korean actorShin Hyun-joon (footballer) (born 1983), South Korean former footballerShin Hyun-soo (born 1989), South Korean actorShin Hyung-min (born 1986), South Korean footballerSin Ik-hui (1894–1956), Korean independence activist and politicianShin Il-ryong (1948–2022), South Korean actor and entrepreneurShin Il-soo (born 1994), South Korean footballerShin Il-yong (born 1979), South Korean race walkerShin In-seob (born 1989), South Korean footballerShin Jae-chul (1936–2012), South Korean martial artistShin Jae-eun (born 1991), South Korean modelShin Jae-ha (born 1993), South Korean actorShin Jae-ho (stage nameMicrodot , born 1993), South Korean-New Zealand rapper and singer Shin Jae-min (born 1958), South Korean bureaucratShin Jae-min (stage nameSanchez , born 1986), South Korean-New Zealand rapper and singer Shin Jae-hwi (born 1994), South Korean actorShin Jae-pil (born 1982), South Korean footballerShin Jae-won (born 1998), South Korean footballerShin Jae-young (born 1989), South Korean former professional baseball playerJane Shin (born 1980), Canadian academic and former politicianShin Jea-hwan (born 1998), South Korean artistic gymnast, Olympic gold medalistJean Shin (born 1971), American artistJeena Shin (born 1973), New Zealand artistShin Jee-won (born 1996), South Korean actress and singer, former member of girl group Berry GoodShin Jeong-ah (born 1972), survivor of the Sampoong Department Store collapse who later lied about her academic credentialsSin Jeong-seop (born 1974), South Korean volleyball playerShin Jeong-yil (1938–1999), South Korean politicianShin Ji-a (born 2008), South Korean figure skaterShin Ji-hoon (born 1998), South Korean singer and actressShin Ji-min (born 1991), South Korean former singer and rapper, former member of girl group AOAShin Ji-sang , South Koreanmanhwa artistShin Ji-soo (born 1994), South Korean singer and actress, former member of girl group D.HeavenShin Ji-yoon (born 2002), South Korean singer, former member of girl group WeeeklySin Jin-ho (born 1988), South Korean professional footballerShin Jin-seo (born 2000), South Korean professional Go playerShin Jin-sik (born 1975), South Korean volleyball playerShin Jin-won (born 1974), South Korean retired football coach and playerJiyai Shin (born 1988), South Korean professional golferShin Jong-hun (born 1989), South Korean boxerShin Jong-kook (born 1993), South Korean singer, former member of boy band SPEEDSin Joon-sik (born 1980), South Korean taekwondo practitioner, Olympic silver medalistShin Joon-sup (born 1963), South Korean middleweight amateur boxer, Olympic gold medalistShin Joong-hyun (born 1938), South Korean rock guitarist, singer-songwriter, known as Korea's "Godfather of Rock"Shin Jung-geun (born 1966), South Korean actorShin Jung-hwan (born 1974), South Korean singer and entertainerShin Jung-hwan (footballer) , (born 1986), South Korean footballerShin Jung-hwan (stage nameShinyu , born 2003), South Korean singer, member of boy band TWS Shin Jung-hyeon (born 1938), South Korean rock guitarist and singer-songwriterSin Jung-ja (born 1980), South Korean basketball playerShin Jung-rak (born 1987), South Korean baseball playerShin Kang-woo (born 1992), South Korean actor and singerShin Ki-joon (born 2001), South Korean actorShin Kuhn (1941–2015), South Korean lawyer and politician, former director of the National Intelligence ServiceShin Kwang-ho (born 1983), South Korean painter and artistShin Kwang-hoon (born 1987), South Korean professional footballerShin Kwang-soo (born 1965), South Korean former sailorShin Kyeong-nim (1936–2024), South Korean writerShin Kyuk-ho (1922–2020), South Korean businessman, founder of Lotte CorporationShin Kyung-hwan (born 1987), South Korean para-badminton playerSin Kyung-hyen (born 1977), South Korean taekwondo practitionerShin Kyung-sook (born 1963), South Korean writerKyung Sun Shin (born 1933), Korean-born master of judoMichael Shin (born 2004), South Korean racing driverShin Mi-sung (born 1978), South Korean curlerShin Min-a (born 1984), South Korean actress and modelShin Min-jun (born 1999), South Korean professional Go playerSin Myong-ok (born 1965), North Korean gymnastSin Myong-su (born 1966), North Korean gymnastShin Myung-chul (born 1978), South Korean baseball playerSin Na-hee (born 1990), South Korean figure skaterShin Na-yeong (born 1999), South Korean professional footballerSin Nam-ho (born 1960), North Korean sport shooterNelly Shin (born 1972), Canadian politician, first Korean Canadian to be elected to the House of CommonsNelson Shin (born 1939), South Korean animation director, founder and president of AKOM Production, Ltd.Nikolai Shin (1928–2006), Uzbekistani painterShin Ok-cheol (stage nameOutsider , born 1983), South Korean rapper Oleksandr Sin (born 1961), Ukrainian politician, former mayor of ZaporizhiaPaull Shin (1935–2021), American politician, the first Korean American in the Washington State LegislaturePeniel Shin (born 1993), American rapper and singer, member of boy band BtoBPeter Shin , American animator, director, producerShin Rin-ah (born 2009), South Korean actressShin Rok (born 2002), South Korean weightlifterShin Ryu-jin (born 2001), South Korean rapper and singer, member of girl group ITZYShin Sae-bom (born 1992), South Korean short track speed skaterShin Sang-ho (born 1947), South Korean ceramicistShin Sang-hoon (born 1993), South Korean ice hockey playerShin Sang-kyu (born 1968), South Korean wrestlerShin Sang-ok (1926–2006), South Korean filmmakerSin Sang-sik (born 1941), South Korean wrestlerShin Sang-whi (born 2000), South Korean footballerShin Sang-woo (footballer) (born 1976), South Korean football manager and former playerShin Sang-woo (ice hockey) (born 1987), South Korean professional ice hockey playerShin Se-kyung (born 1990), South Korean actressSin Seok-gyo (born 1971), South Korean field hockey playerSin Seok-gyun (born 1966), South Korean field hockey playerSin Seon-ho (volleyball) (born 1978), South Korean volleyball playerShin Seong-hyun (born 1990), South Korean baseball playerShin Seong-ja (born 1968), South Korean fencerShin Seul-ki (born 1998), South Korean actressShin Seung-chan (born 1994), South Korean badminton player, Olympic bronze medalistShin Seung-ho (born 1995), South Korean actorShin Seung-hun (born 1968), South Korean singerShin Seung-hwan (born 1978), South Korean actorShin Shin-ae (born 1959), South Korean actress and trot singerShin Si-ah (born 1998), South Korean actressShin So-jung (born 1990), South Korean retired ice hockey playerShin Sol-yi (born 2004), South Korean artistic gymnastSin Son-ho (born 1948), North Korean diplomat and Permanent Representative to the United NationsSin Song-hui (born 1970), North Korean archerShin Soo-hyun (born 1989), South Korean singer, leader of boy band U-KISSShin Soo-ji (born 1991), South Korean former rhythmic gymnastShin Soo-yeon (born 2004), South Korean actress and modelShin Soon-ho (born 1959), South Korean former tennis playerShin Su-hyun (born 1996), South Korean actressShin Su-jin (stage nameSince , born 1992), South Korean rapper Shin Su-ran (born 1986), South Korean singerSin Su-yeong (born 1971), South Korean boxerShin Suk-ja (born 1942), South Korean political prisoner held in the North Korean political prison campShin Sun-nam (footballer) (born 1981), South Korean footballerSun Yung Shin (born 1974), American poet, writer, consultant, educatorShin Sung-rok (born 1982), South Korean actorShin Sung-woo (born 1968), South Korean singer and actorShin Tae-yong (born 1970), South Korean football manager and former professional playerSin Ui-gun (born 1958), North Korean football managerShin Won-ho (director) (born 1975), South Korean director and television producerShin Won-ho (born 1991), South Korean singer and actor, member of boy band Cross GeneShin Won-ho (footballer) (born 2001), South Korean professional footballerShin Won-sik (born 1958), South Korean politicianShin Woo-chul , South Korean television directorShin Yea-ji (figure skater, born 1984) , South Korean former figure skaterShin Yea-ji (figure skater, born 1988) , South Korean former figure skater and choreographerShin Yechan (born 1992), South Korean musician, leader of band LUCYShin Ye-chan (born 2001), South Korean singer and actor, member of boy band OMEGA XShin Ye-eun (born 1998), South Korean actressSin Ye-young (born 1991), South Korean singerShin Yeon-shick (born 1976), South Korean film director and screenwriterShin Yeon-suh (born 1993), South Korean actress and singer, former leader of girl group GugudanShin Yeong-eun (born 1987), South Korean rowerShin Yon-ho (born 1964), South Korean football manager and former playerShin Yong-mok (born 1974), South Korean poetSin Yong-nam (born 1978), North Korean football coach and former playerShin Young-chul (born 1964), South Korean former volleyball playerShin Young-jun (born 1989), South Korean footballerShin Young-kyun (born 1928), South Korean actor, film producer, politicianShin Youngok (born 1961), South Korean classical soprano singerShin Young-rok (born 1987), South Korean footballerShin Young-soo (born 1982), South Korean volleyball playerShin Youngsook (born 1975), South Korean musical theatre actressShin Young-sun (born 1969), South Korean biathleteShin Yu-bin (born 2004), South Korean table tennis player, Olympic bronze medalistShin Yu-na (born 2003), South Korean rapper and singer, member of girl group ITZYShin Yung-kyoo (1942–1996), North Korean footballerShin Yung-suk (born 1986), South Korean volleyball playerStephen Shin , a character of DC Comic seriesAquaman Shin Kyung-soo, one of the two female leads of 2003 South Korean dramaRosemary Shin Ji-hyun, main character of 2011 South Korean drama49 Days Shin Suk-ki, the main protagonist of 2004 South Korean movieShinsukki Blues Shin Ji-hoon, one of main characters of 2012 South Korean television seriesI Need Romance 2012 Shin Joo-yeon, female lead of 2014 South Korean seriesI Need Romance 3 Shin Ji-min, real name of Song Yi-kyung, a main character from 2011 South Korean drama49 Days Shin Chae-kyung, female lead of 2017 South Korean dramaQueen for Seven Days Shin Se-gi, split personality of Cha Do-hyun, aDID patient and main character of 2015 South Korean television seriesKill Me, Heal Me Shin Ha-kyung, female lead of 2014 South Korean seriesPunch Shin Suk-ho, main lead of 2016 South Korean seriesEntertainer Shin Woo Yeo, main lead of 2021 South Korean seriesMy Roommate Is a Gumiho Shin Young-joo, female lead of 2017 South Korean dramaWhisper Shin Sang, male character of 2021 South Korean seriesMouse Shin Ah-ri, one of the female leads of 2021 South Korean seriesNo Matter What Shin Ha-ri female lead of 2022 South Korean seriesBusiness Proposal