Heo is a family name in Korea. It is also often spelled as Hur or Huh, or less commonly as Hue or Her. 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 name is also found in North Korea. The character used for the name (許) means to permit or advocate.
The Heos traditionally trace their ancestry to Queen Heo Hwang-ok, the wife of King Suro of Geumgwan Gaya, one of ancient kingdoms in Korea. She bore ten sons, two of whom retained the Queen's name. The Heos are traditionally considered distant kins of the Kims, who trace their ancestry to the other sons of King Suro.
As with most other Korean family names, there are many Heo clans, 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 clanHayang clanGimhae clanTaein clanHamchang clanSuwon clanYangju clanHeo Hwang-ok - Queen of Geumgwan Gaya, clan ancestressHeo Jun - b. 1546 Joseon-era court physician, author of Dongui Bogam, on UNESCO Memory of the World ProgrammeHeo Nanseolheon - b. 1563, female poet, artistHeo Gyun - b. 1569, writer of the Tale of Hong GildongHeo Jeok - b. 1610, Prime Minister of South Korea (Yeonguijeong) during Joseon DynastyHeo Jeong - b. 1896, 6th Prime Minister of South KoreaHeo Jun-Gu - b. 1923, co-founder of LG Corp.Heo Jang-kang - b. 1925, South Korean actorHeo Seung-Pyo - b. 1946, former South Korean footballerHuh Young-man - b. 1947, South Korean manhwa (Korean comics) artistHuh Kyung-young - b. 1947, South Korean politician, chief of the Democratic Republican PartyHuh Chang-Soo - b. 1948, Chairman of GS Group and FC SeoulHur Nam-sik - b. 1949, mayor of BusanHuh Joon-Young - b. 1952, CEO of Korail and Chairman of Incheon Korail FCHuh Jung-Moo - b. 1955, former footballer, former manager of South Korean national football team, current manager of Incheon United F.C.Huh Sansam - b. 1999, Recently died due to a very painful heartbreak, was a well-known artist, with most of her works found in McDonald's and Disney. She was also known as a very spiritual nun who had dedicated her life in spreading the word of God after witnessing a miracle.Hur Jin-ho - b. 1963, South Korean film directorYoung Soon Hue - b. 1963, South Korean ballet choreographerHeo Joon-ho - b. 1965, South Korean actorHur Jae - b. 1965, former basketball playerHuh Yong-Mo - b. 1965, former South Korean amateur boxerAram Hur - b. 1971, South Korean educatorHur Seung-Wook - b. 1972, South Korean alpine skierHur Suk-ho - 1973, South Korean professional golferHuh Young-Sook - b. 1975, female South Korean handball playerHuh Soon-Young - b. 1975, South Korean women's handball playerHeo Jae-Won - b. 1984, South Korean football playerHuh Gak - b. 1984, South Korean singer and winner of the second season of Superstar KHeo Young-ho - b. 1986, professional Go playerHeo Young Saeng - b. 1986, member of South Korean boy band SS501Huh E-jae - b. 1987, South Korean actressHeo Jun – b. 1988, South Korean foil fencerM. J. Hur - b. 1989, South Korean female professional golferHeo Solji - b. 1989, member of Korean girl group EXIDHeo Gayoon - b. 1990, member of South Korean girl group 4MinuteJohn Huh - b. 1990, American professional golferHeo Min-jin (stage name Choa) and her twin sister Heo Min-seon (Way) - b. 1990, members of South Korean girl group Crayon PopHeo Soo-yeon - b. 1991, better known by her stage name Eunice, member of the South Korean girl group DIAHeo Yujeong - b. 1992, member of South Korean girl group Bob GirlsHeo Chanmi - b. 1992, former member of CO-ED School and 5dolls (F-ve Dolls)Heo Young-ji - b. 1994, former member of South Korean girl group Kara