흥해 최씨

1. 본문

The Heunghae Choi clan (흥해 최씨, 興海 崔氏) is a Korean family clan with its roots in Heunghae, a region in South Korea. Here's a breakdown of information regarding the clan:
Origin and Founder:

• The progenitor of the Heunghae Choi clan is Choi Ho (최호, 崔湖).
• Choi Ho was a descendant (18th generation) of Choi Chi-won (최치원, 崔致遠), a renowned scholar and official. Another source states he was the 11th generation descendant of Choi Gyun (최균), the progenitor of the Jeonju Choi Clan.
• During the Goryeo Dynasty, Choi Ho served as *Munhasijung* (문하시중, 門下侍中, a high-ranking government official) and *Sinhowi Sangjanggun* (신호위 상장군, 神虎衛上將軍).
• He was enfeoffed as *Gokgang Buwongun* (곡강 부원군, 曲江府院君) and recognized as *Samhanbyeoksanggongsin* (삼한벽상공신, 三韓壁上功臣).
• There is some uncertainty in the lineage records, so some consider Choi Yeon (최연, 淵), a 6th-generation descendant of Choi Ho, as the first generation ancestor.

• During the Goryeo Dynasty (specifically during the reigns of King Uijong and Myeongjong), four brothers from the family achieved distinction and were granted titles, a phenomenon referred to as *Sagunpungryu* (사군풍류, 四君風流).
• The eldest brother, Choi Yeon (최연), was enfeoffed as Wolseong Gun (월성군, related to present-day Gyeongju).
• The second brother, Choi Han (최한), was enfeoffed as Yeongcheon Gun (영천군).
• Choi Ho, was the third, and got the title of Gokgang Buwongun.
• The youngest, Choi Ik (최익), received the title of Hosan Gun (호산군, related to Suncheon).

• Choi Yeon (최연, 淵), sometimes considered the 1st generation ancestor, passed the civil service examination and served during the reign of King Sejong of Joseon, reaching the position of *Jikjehak* (직제학).

• The Heunghae Choi clan is considered to share ancestry with the Gyeongju Choi clan.
• The population of the Heunghae Choi Clan was 9,189 in one 2025 source and 11,479 in another.