Heo is a

family name In many societies, a surname, family name, or last name is the mostly hereditary portion of one's personal name that indicates one's family. It is typically combined with a given name to form the full name of a person, although several give ...

Korea Korea is a peninsular region in East Asia consisting of the Korean Peninsula, Jeju Island, and smaller islands. Since the end of World War II in 1945, it has been politically Division of Korea, divided at or near the 38th parallel north, 3 ...

. It is also often spelled as Huh or Hur, or less commonly as Her or Hue. In

South Korea South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea (ROK), is a country in East Asia. It constitutes the southern half of the Korea, Korean Peninsula and borders North Korea along the Korean Demilitarized Zone, with the Yellow Sea to the west and t ...

in 1985, out of a population of between roughly 40 and 45 million, there were approximately 264,000 people surnamed Heo. The name is also found in

North Korea North Korea, officially the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), is a country in East Asia. It constitutes the northern half of the Korea, Korean Peninsula and borders China and Russia to the north at the Yalu River, Yalu (Amnok) an ...

. The character used for the name ( 許) means to permit or advocate. The Heos traditionally trace their ancestry to Queen

Heo Hwang-ok Heo Hwang-ok (; 32AD – 189AD) also known as Empress Boju (), was a legendary queen mentioned in '' Samguk yusa'', a 13th-century Korean chronicle. According to ''Samguk Yusa'', she became the wife of King Suro of Geumgwan Gaya at the age of 16 ...

, the wife of King Suro of

Geumgwan Gaya Geumgwan Gaya (), also known as Bongaya () or Garakguk (), was the ruling city-state of the Gaya confederacy that existed from 43 to 532 CE, during the Three Kingdoms period, in Korea. It is believed to have been located around the modern-day city ...

, one of ancient kingdoms in Korea. Her native kingdom is believed to be located in

India India, officially the Republic of India, is a country in South Asia. It is the List of countries and dependencies by area, seventh-largest country by area; the List of countries by population (United Nations), most populous country since ...

. She bore ten sons, two of whom retained the Queen's name. The Heos are traditionally considered distant kins of the

Gimhae Kim clan The Gimhae Kim clan () is a Korean clan, descended from Suro of Geumgwan Gaya. King Suro was the founder of Gaya confederacy, and his descendant, Kim Yu-sin is renowned for leading the Silla armies to unify the Three Kingdoms of Korea. More th ...

, who trace their ancestry to the other sons of King Suro.

Clans

As with most other Korean family names, there are many Heo

clans A clan is a group of people united by actual or perceived kinship and descent. Even if lineage details are unknown, a clan may claim descent from a founding member or apical ancestor who serves as a symbol of the clan's unity. Many societie ...

, including the Gimhae clan and the Yangchon clan. Each clan consists of individual Heo families. Even within each clan, people in different families are not necessarily related to each other. These distinctions are important, since Korean law used to prohibit intermarriage in the same clan, no matter how remote the relationship; now, however, only those in a relationship of second cousins or closer may not marry. As with other Korean family names, the Heo clans are distinguished by the place from which they claim to originate. *

Yangcheon Heo clan Yangcheon Heo clan () was one of the Korean clans. Their bon-gwan was in Gangseo District, Seoul. According to the 2015 Korean census, the number of Yangcheon Heo clan is 149,505. Their founder was . He was the descendant of Heo Hwang-ok, the wi ...

Hayang Heo clan Hayang Heo clan () is the third most populous Heo (often spelled as Hur or Huh) clan. Their Bon-gwan is in Hayang, Gyeongsan city, North Gyeongsang Province. Their founder was Heo Kang-an. He was a descendant of Queen Heo Hwang-ok, who was ori ...

Gimhae Heo clan The Gimhae Heo clan () is a Korean clan. This clan traces their origin to King Suro and his legendary Queen Heo Hwang-ok, who are mentioned in the 13th-century Korean chronicle ''Samguk Yusa''. * Taein Heo clan *

Hamchang Hamchang is an ''eup'' in Sangju City, North Gyeongsang province, South Korea. It comprises 30 distinct ''ri'' (the smallest South Korean administrative division), and has a population of 8,427 (from 2003 registration figures). There are two e ...

clan *

Suwon Suwon (; ) is the largest city and capital of Gyeonggi Province, South Korea's most populous province. The city lies approximately south of the national capital, Seoul. With a population of 1.2 million, Suwon has more inhabitants than Ulsan, tho ...

clan *

Yangju Yangju (; ) is a city in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. Yangju is located south of Dongducheon and north of Uijeongbu, not far from Seoul. In the past, it was one region with Uijeongbu-si, Guri-si, Namyangju-si, Dongducheon-si, and some parts ...

clan

People with the surname

Heo

Heo Ga-yoon Heo Ga-yoon (; born May 18, 1990), better known by the mononym Gayoon, is a South Korean actress and former singer. She is a former member of South Korean girl group 4Minute and its sub-group 2Yoon. Biography Early life and education Heo was ...

(born 1990), South Korean singer *

Heo Gyun Heo is a family name in Korea. It is also often spelled as Huh or Hur, or less commonly as Her or Hue. In South Korea in 1985, out of a population of between roughly 40 and 45 million, there were approximately 264,000 people surnamed Heo. The na ...

(1569–1618), Joseon-era writer *

Heo Hoon Heo Hoon (born 16 August 1995) is a South Korean professional basketball player. He plays for Suwon KT Sonicboom of the Korean Basketball League and the South Korea national team. Early life Heo enjoyed playing various sports from a young ag ...

(born 1995), South Korean professional basketball player *

(32–189), Queen of Geumgwan Gaya *

Hyun Jin-young Heo Hyeon-seok (; born February 3, 1971), better known by his stage name Hyun Jin-young (), is a South Korean singer and dancer. He is best known for his role in introducing hip-hop music to South Korea. Hyun is known as the first artist to be s ...

(born Heo Hyeon-seok, 1971), South Korean singer *

Heo Im Heo Im (; 1570–1647, born in Naju, South Jeolla Province) was a Korean acupuncturist of the Hayang Heo clan during the reign of King Seonjo of the Joseon period. Heo was known for his contribution to the development of acupuncture. His fath ...

(1570–1647), Joseon-era physician *

Heo Jae-won Heo Jae-won (; born 1 July 1984) is a South Korean football player who last played for Jeonnam Dragons.Heo Jang-kang Heo Jang-gang (May 9, 1925 – September 21, 1975) was a South Korean actor, one of the representative actors in the 1960s and 1970s. He mainly took supporting roles such as villains or comical characters. He died of a heart attack after playing ...

(1925–1975), South Korean actor *

Heo Jeok Heo is a family name in Korea. It is also often spelled as Huh or Hur, or less commonly as Her or Hue. In South Korea in 1985, out of a population of between roughly 40 and 45 million, there were approximately 264,000 people surnamed Heo. The na ...

(1610–1680), Joseon politician *

Heo Jeong Ho Chong (; 8 April 1896 – 18 September 1988) was a South Korean politician and Korean independence activist who served as the prime minister of South Korea during the country's Second Republic. He also served as the acting president of South ...

(1896–1988), South Korean politician and Korean independence activist *

Heo Ji-won Heo Ji-won (), known mononymously as Jiwon, is a South Korean singer and actress. She is a former member of the South Korean girl group Cherry Bullet. Life and career 2000–2017: Early life and career beginnings Heo was born on September 4, 2 ...

(born 2000), South Korean singer and actress, former member of girl group Cherry Bullet *

Heo Jun Heo Jun (; 1539 – October 9, 1615) was a Korean physician who served as the royal chief physician of the Naeuiwon during the reigns of King Sejong (1597–1608) and King Gwanghaegun (1608–1623) of the Korea dynasty. Biography Childho ...

(1539–1615), Joseon-era court physician *

Heo Jun (fencer) Heo Jun (; or ; born 31 May 1988) is a South Korean foil fencer. He is the four-time Asian champion (individual and team). He won a bronze medal at the 2011 Summer Universiade The 2011 Summer Universiade ( zh, c=2011年夏季世界大学� ...

(born 1988), South Korean foil fencer *

Heo Jung-eun Heo Jung-eun (; born September 14, 2007) is a South Korean actress. She first drew public attention with her performances in hit dramas, '' My Lawyer, Mr. Jo'' (2016) and ''Love in the Moonlight'' (2016). At age nine, she took on her first leadin ...

(born 2007), South Korean actress *

Heo Nam-jun Heo Nam-jun (; born June 9, 1993) is a South Korean actor. He is best known for his roles in ''Your Honor (2024 TV series), Your Honor'' (2024) and ''When the Phone Rings'' (2024–2025). Career Prior to his debut, Heo studied in Sungkyunkwan U ...

(born 1993), South Korean actor *

Heo Nanseolheon Heo Nanseolheon (1563 – 19 March 1589), was a Korean painter and poet of the mid-Joseon dynasty. She was the younger sister of Heo Bong, a politician and political writer, and elder to Heo Gyun, a prominent writer of the time and credited as t ...

(1563–1589), Joseon-era painter and poet *

Justhis Heo Seung (, born May 7, 1991), better known by his stage name Justhis (), is a South Korean rapper. He released his first album, '' 2 Many Homes 4 1 Kid'', on June 14, 2016. He is a member of the Korean hip hop crew IMJMWDP, and is currently s ...

(born Heo Seung, 1991), South Korean rapper *

Heo Sol-ji Heo Sol-ji (; born January 10, 1989), known mononymously as Solji, is a South Korean singer. She was a member of the ballad duo group 2NB from 2006 to 2010. She later became a vocal trainer before joining EXID in July 2012 as the leader and ma ...

(born 1989), South Korean singer, member of girl group Exid *

Heo Sung-tae Heo Sung-tae (, , born October 20, 1977) is a South Korean actor. He gained domestic prominence in the 2016 period thriller film ''The Age of Shadows'' and became recognized internationally for his role in the first season of ''Squid Game'' (20 ...

(born 1977), South Korean actor * Heo Ung (born 1993), South Korean basketball player *

Heo Yi-jae Heo Yi-jae (, born February 19, 1987) is a South Korean actress. She is best known for her leading roles in the television dramas '' Prince Hours'' and ''Single Dad in Love''. Career Heo Yi-jae began her entertainment career by modeling for maga ...

(born 1987), South Korean actress *

Heo Yong-mo Heo Yong-Mo (April 21, 1965 – March 9, 2019) was a South Korean amateur boxer. Career He won a Light Flyweight bronze medal at the 1982 World Amateur Boxing Championships. Heo captured a Flyweight silver medal in the 1983 Boxi ...

(born 1965), South Korean boxer * Heo Yool (footballer) (born 2001), South Korean professional football player *

Heo Yool Heo Yool (; born August 29, 2009) is a South Korean teenage actress. She is best known for starring in the television drama ''Mother'' (2018). Career In 2018, she beat out 400 other children to play the main character in the television drama ...

(born 2009), South Korean actress *

Heo Young-ho Heo Young-ho (; born 2 July 1986) is a Korean professional Go player Player may refer to: Role or adjective * Player (game), a participant in a game or sport ** Gamer, a player in video and tabletop games ** Athlete, a player in sports * ...

(born 1986), South Korean professional Go player *

Heo Young-ji Heo Young-ji (; born August 30, 1994), better known mononymously as Youngji, is a South Korean singer, dancer, entertainer and television personality. She is best known as a member of girl group Kara. In 2023, Heo Young-ji made her official sol ...

(born 1994), South Korean singer, member of girl group Kara *

Heo Young-saeng Heo Young-saeng (; born: November 3, 1986) is a South Korean entertainer. He is the vocalist of the boy band SS501. He's also the leader of Double S 301. In 2010, Heo left DSP Media, who managed him as part of SS501, and moved to B2M Entert ...

(born 1986), South Korean singer, member of boy band SS501

Hue

Young Soon Hue Young Soon Hue (born 1963) is a contemporary ballet choreographer. She was born in South Korea and trained in South Korea and France. She began her professional career at Frankfurt Ballet, Germany, under the direction of William Forsythe and cont ...

(born 1963), South Korean ballet choreographer

Huh

Ben Huh Ben Huh is a South Korean-American internet entrepreneur and the former CEO of The Cheezburger Network, which at its peak in 2010 received 375 million views a month across its 50 sites.Chard, TheaCheezburger CEO Ben Huh on Surrounding Himself ...

(born 1979), South Korean-American internet entrepreneur *

Huh Chan-mi Huh Chan-mi (; born April 6, 1992), also known mononymously as Chanmi, is a South Korean singer. Chanmi made her debut in 2010 as a member of a South Korean co-ed group Coed School and its female unit F-ve Dolls from 2011 until her departure fro ...

(born 1992), South Korean singer * Huh Chang-soo (born 1948), South Korean businessman *

Huh Chin-kyu Huh Chin-kyu (; born December 1, 1940) is a billionaire South Korean businessman, and the founder and chairman of ILJIN Group. Early life Huh was born on December 1, 1940, in Buan, Zenrahoku-dō, Korea, Empire of Japan. He earned a bachelor' ...

(born 1940), South Korean businessman *

Huh Gak Huh Gak (; born November 15, 1984) is a South Korean singer. He rose to fame after winning the 2010 Mnet talent competition series '' Superstar K 2'', during which he became known as "the Korean Paul Potts". Early life and education Huh Gak ...

(born 1984), South Korean singer *

John Huh John Chan-su Huh (; ; born May 21, 1990) is an American professional golfer who plays on the PGA Tour. His sole victory on the PGA Tour came at the 2012 Mayakoba Golf Classic. Amateur career Huh was born in New York City to Korean parents. He m ...

(born 1990), American professional golfer *

Huh Joon-ho Huh Joon-ho (; born April 14, 1964) is a South Korean actor. His name was previously officially romanized as Hur Joon-ho and is sometimes romanized unofficially as Heo Joon-ho. Huh began his career in theater became active in film and televisio ...

(born 1964), South Korean actor *

Huh Jung-moo Huh Jung-moo (; born 13 January 1955) is a former South Korean football player and manager. Playing career Huh was one of the best South Korean college footballers before starting his semi-professional career. He was often compared with Korea ...

(born 1955), South Korean former football player and manager *

Huh Kyung-young Huh Kyung-young (; born July 13, 1947) is a South Korean politician, founder of the National Revolutionary Party, cult leader, and singer. Early life On his official profile, Huh says he was born on January 1, 1950 near Jungnanggyo, Seoul, Sout ...

(1947), South Korean politician * Huh Soon-young (born 1975), South Korean handball player *

Huh Young-man Huh Young-man (born June 26, 1947) is a South Korean manhwa artist. Early life Huh Young-man was born Huh Hyeong-man in present-day Yeosu, a far southern coastal city of what is now South Jeolla Province, South Korea in 1947. He was the third ch ...

(born 1947), South Korean manhwa artist * Huh Young-sook (born 1975), South Korean handball player *

Huh Yunjin Huh Yunjin (; born October 8, 2001) is an American singer and songwriter based in South Korea. She is a member of the South Korean girl group Le Sserafim. Early life and education Huh Yunjin was born on October 8, 2001, in Seoul, South Korea. ...

(born 2001), South Korean-American singer, member of girl group Le Sserafim

Hur

* Aram Hur (born 1971), South Korean educator * Hur Hyun-jun (born 2000), South Korean singer and actor *

Hur Jae Hur Jae (; born September 28, 1965) is a South Korean retired basketball coach and former player. His playing and coaching career combined spanned over three decades, beginning during the semi-professional era and coinciding with the establishm ...

(born 1965), South Korean retired basketball coach and former player *

Hur Jin-ho Hur Jin-ho (; born August 8, 1963) is a South Korean film director and screenwriter. Career Hur graduated from Yonsei University with a degree in philosophy and went on to study filmmaking at the Korean Academy of Film Arts. His first steps as ...

(born 1963), South Korean film director *

M. J. Hur Mi Jung "M.J." Hur (, born 5 December 1989) is a South Korean female professional golfer. Hur played most of her amateur career in South Korea. In 2006, she received a sponsors exemption to play in the Hana Bank-KOLON Championship and made the m ...

(born 1989), South Korean professional golfer *

Hur Nam-sik Hur Nam-sik (; born March 14, 1949) was the 33rd, 34th, 35th mayor of Busan. He was born in Uiryeong, South Gyeongsang Province South Gyeongsang Province (, ) is a province in the southeast of South Korea. The provincial capital is at Chang ...

(born 1949), South Korean politician * Robert K. Hur (born 1973), American attorney *

Hur Seung-Wook Hur Seung-Wook (; born 25 April 1972 in Suwon) is a South Korean alpine skier who competed at five consecutive Winter Olympics from 1988 to 2002. He is the second Korean, after shooter Lee Eun-chul, to compete at five Olympics. See also * Lis ...

(born 1972), South Korean alpine skier *

Hur Suk-ho Hur Suk-ho (; born 20 August 1973), commonly known as S. K. Ho in English, is a South Korean professional golfer who plays mainly on the Japan Golf Tour. Career Hur was born in Seoul, South Korea. He attended Chae Yoog University and turned pro ...

(born 1973), South Korean professional golfer

References

{{reflist

External links

A 2001 ''Korea Now'' article explaining the clan structureYangcheon Heo clan website in Korean
Heo clans Korean-language surnames vi:Hứa