The clan was a prominent yangban family during Korea's Joseon dynasty.

[1] According to the research held in 2015, the number of the Wonju Won clan was 126,677.

But these lines were eventually, formally, divided into branches; Wongok Baekpa (원성백파, 原城伯派), Wonseong Baekpa (원성백파, 原城伯派), and Sijung Gongpa (시중공파, 侍中公派).

Royal Noble Consort Seong-bi, a concubine of King Taejo of Joseon was a member of the clan.

As well as the mother of Queen Jeongsun, who is the second wife of King Yeongjo of Joseon; and the mother of Royal Noble Consort Su, the concubine of King Jeongjo of Joseon, are descendants of the clan through Won Du-pyo (원두표, 元斗杓; 1593 - 1664) who was from the Sijung Gongpa branch.