Cha (Korean surname)

Cha
LanguageKorean
Origin
MeaningChariot
Region of originKorean peninsula
Other names
Variant formChe (Chinese)
Korean name
Hangul
Hanja
RRCha
MRCh'a

Cha (Korean) is a Korean family name.

The Cha () clan, which takes Yeonan (延安) as its main branch, is descended from an ancient Chinese emperor (姓 was 姬, 諱 was 軒轅).

The origin of the Cha clan in Korea dates back to when Emperor's descendant Sa-sin-gap (似辛甲) fled to ancient Joseon from China, settling down in Pyungyang under Iltosan (一土山), and changing his name to Wang-jo-myeong (王祖明). His descendant Wang Mong (王蒙) changed his name to Jeon (田), Shin (申), etc., to escape political persecution, and later changed his name to Cha Mu-il (車無一), thus establishing the origin of the Cha family.

"In the early Silla period, CHA MU-IL, who served as Prime Minister (승상), had eight sons. The seventh son, CHA SHIN-EUL (본명: JU-RIM, 別名: 車神乙), inherited the Cha family lineage. In later generations, the family produced 25 PRIME MINISTERS, establishing the foundation of a prestigious aristocratic clan."