청해 이씨(靑海 李氏) — A clan seated at Cheonghae (an alternate name of Bukcheong, South Hamgyeong), founded by Yi Ji-ran, a Jurchen-born man who submitted to Goryeo and became a first-class founding merit subject of Joseon with the title Count of Cheonghae. He is said to have become sworn brother of Yi Seong-gye and changed his surname from Tung to Yi.
A clan seated at Cheonghae (an alternate name of Bukcheong, South Hamgyeong), founded by Yi Ji-ran, a Jurchen-born man who submitted to Goryeo and became a first-class founding merit subject of Joseon with the title Count of Cheonghae. He is said to have become sworn brother of Yi Seong-gye and changed his surname from Tung to Yi. In the 2015 Census the 청해 이씨 clan numbered about 12,002 people, one of Korea's major surnames and clans. Even among people surnamed 이, a different clan seat (bon-gwan, 청해) means a different lineage. New to these terms? See the bon-gwan, pa & hangnyeol guide.
The Muhugong branch is said to descend from Yi Hwa-yeong, the second son of Yi Ji-ran, who is reported to have served as Pan Ugunbusa in early Sejong's reign.
The Songgye-gong branch is said to descend from Yi In-gi, a 7th-generation descendant of Yi Ji-ran, who reportedly became Jungchubu Dongjisa under Seonjo.
Branch divisions vary by lineage and jokbo; confirm your own branch in your family's records.
Yi Ji-ran(founder, Count of Cheonghae), Yi Hwa-yeong(his son), Yi Cheong-yong(footballer), Yi Jang-ho(film director), Yi Gi-eul(independence activist)
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The Cheonghae Yi clan (靑海 李氏) takes Bukcheong in South Hamgyeong as its seat; Cheonghae is known as an alternate name of Bukcheong. The founder Yi Ji-ran (1331-1402) was of Jurchen origin, said to have been born Tung Kuranturan Timur (Tung Duran), who submitted to Goryeo with his followers in the late period and joined Yi Seong-gye in the northeast.
Yi Ji-ran is said to have sworn brotherhood with Yi Seong-gye and changed his surname from Tung to Yi. The clan genealogy is also said to claim that Yue Ting, a son of the Southern Song general Yue Fei, lived as a Jurchen; this is a genealogical claim and is not historically confirmed.
The 2000 census is reported to give 12,002 members, said to be one of the few Hamgyeong seats above 10,000. A 2015 figure could not be confirmed. Settlements include Seobinggo and Dongbinggo in Yongsan, Seoul; Yongin, Pocheon, Namyangju, Osan and Uijeongbu in Gyeonggi; Inheung-ri in Goseong, Gangwon; Boryeong; Imsil; and, in the North, Yangdeok, Bukcheong and Bongsan.
Yi Ji-ran helped found Joseon, was named a first-class founding merit subject and Count of Cheonghae, and after the abolition of the five noble ranks became Lord of Cheonghae. He sided with Yi Bang-won in the two Princes' Strife and was made a merit subject, but is said to have returned to Cheonghae to end his life. He was later enshrined among the merit subjects at Jongmyo.
His sons Yi Hwa-sang is said to have served as Gongjo Jeonseo and Yi Hwa-yeong as Pan Ugunbusa in early Sejong's reign. The clan is introduced as producing around 7-8 literary, 15-16 military and some 16-18 licentiate examination passers in Joseon, with counts varying by source.
The Muhugong branch is said to descend from Yi Hwa-yeong, Yi Ji-ran's second son, and the Songgye-gong branch from the 7th-generation Yi In-gi, a Jungchubu Dongjisa under Seonjo. Generation counts vary by source.
Besides the founder Yi Ji-ran, the independence activist Yi Gi-eul, film director Yi Jang-ho and footballer Yi Cheong-yong are introduced as members.
A 'Count of Cheonghae Memorial Park' is said to exist in Osan, Gyeonggi. The clan village at Inheung-ri, Goseong is reported to have been heavily damaged in the 2019 wildfire.
A clan association is reported. Generation-name tables were not available as text in public sources, so members should consult their branch genealogy.
The 청해 이씨 clan association can be found in the Korean E-Jokbo Library clan-association directory.
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