Chenghai was known as one of "Eight Counties of Chaozhou" () in Qing Dynasty and Republic of China period. It was founded as a county in 1563 AD, combining by the coastal lands separated from Haiyang County, Jieyang County and Raoping County, and under Chao Prefecture (Teochew)'s jurisdiction. The name Chenghai, meaning "clear "Wokou" of the sea" (), was used as the county name due to the Jiajing wokou raids, which also indicated the reason of Chenghai's establishment. Chenghai was dissolved in 1666 when Kangxi Emperor banned on foreign trade but re-founded seven years later.