Choe is a Korean surname, representing an alternate transcription of the Korean Hangul 최 (see Choi). The name is shared by millions of Koreans, and its Romanization varies in different regions: in English-speaking countries, it is typically anglicized as Choi, with Chey, Choe, or Chwe also seen. Among ethnic Koreans in the former USSR, the forms Tsoi or Tsoy are prevalent, derived from the Cyrillic transcription Цой. Etymology The foundational element is the Sino-Korean character 崔 (choe), meaning "high, lofty, towering" — a meaning that may reflect the aspirational status of early bearers. As noted in the Korean historical record Samguk Sagi (History of the Three Kingdoms), some clans trace their origins to legendary figures from the founding days of the ancient kingdom of Silla. The largest branch, the Gyeongju clan, claims descent from the chief Sobeoldori of Goheochon, one of six villages that united to establish Silla. Another theory links the Haeju clan to Ch'oe Ch'ung (984–1068), a renowned scholar who was granted the surname 崔 during the Gor dynasty. Notable Bearers Historical figures such as Ch'oe Ch'iwŏn (857–10th century), a prolific scholar, philosopher, and poet of the late Unified Silla period, are celebrated ancestors of the Gyeongju clan. Among non-Korean notables, Elizabeth Choe (born c. 1992), an MIT neuroscientist known for her science communication work, has brought attention to the surname globally. Cultural and Geographical Distribution With roughly 2.3 million bearers in South Korea as of 2015 — about 4.7% of the population — Choe/Choi ranks among the most common Korean surnames. The name is also present in Korean Diaspora communities worldwide, with Romanizations Choe and Chev seen in the US diaspora via early immigration records. Meaning: "high, lofty, towering" (from Sino-Korean 崔) Origin: Korean, derived from one of several Silla/Goryco-era clans Type: Surname Usage regions: Korea, Korean Diaspora