Surname Cohan - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'C'
Cohan: What does the surname Cohan mean?
The surname Cohan is of Irish origin and comes from the Gaelic name "O Cathain" which means "descendant of Cathan". Cathan itself comes from the Gaelic words "cath" meaning "battle" and "an" meaning "the warrior or soldier", so the whole name can be interpreted as "descendant of the battle soldier". This suggests that the original bearers of the surname would have been known for their prowess in battle. Alternatively, Cohan could also be a variation of the Hebrew name Cohen, which means "priest". Cohen is an occupational surname for the holy men of ancient Israel who performed religious rituals in Jerusalem's Holy Temple. Therefore, Cohan can be both an Ashkenazic and Sephardic Jewish surname. Different branches of the family may have translated Cohen to Cohan when they moved to English-speaking countries to adapt to the local linguistic tendencies. As is often the case with ancient surnames, there are likely other equally valid interpretations of its origins.
Order DNA origin analysisCohan: Where does the name Cohan come from?
The surname Cohan is of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic name "O Comhdhain" which means "descendant of Comhdan". The name, which has been Anglicized to Cohan, primarily originates from the Connacht province in Western Ireland. However, it is noteworthy that in some cases, especially among Jewish individuals, the surname Cohan or Cohen is of Hebrew origin, linked to the term "Kohen", signifying 'priest'. The variation in spelling could be attributed to English translations.
Today, the Cohan surname is common in the United States, Ireland, United Kingdom, and Australia. It was popularized by famous individuals such as American entertainer George M. Cohan, and British-American actress Lauren Cohan. It's worth noting that genealogical factors and Irish immigration, especially during the 19th century, have played a significant role in making this surname common in English-speaking countries today.
Variations of the surname Cohan
The surname Cohan is of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic name "O Cadhain" that means "descendent of Cadhan." Cadhan itself originates from the Gaelic word "cadh," which signifies a battle or a fighter in a war. The surname Cohan has been subject to several spelling variations over time due to the influence of different cultures and languages. It is also spelled as Cohen, Coen, Cowan, Cohane, Coane, Kohen, Kowen, and so on. In some cases, the English version Cowan is also used as a variant of Cohan. The surname is sometimes pronounced 'kəˈhæn' and its alternatives are subjected to similar phonetic variation. All these different spellings and pronunciations have the same Gaelic origin as Cohan. However, it’s worth noting that not all “Cohens” or similar surnames are of Irish origin, as "Cohen" is also a common Jewish surname meaning “priest” in Hebrew. Therefore, it is essential to trace the genealogical history to ascertain the ethnicity and cultural origin of a surname.
Famous people with the name Cohan
- George M. Cohan: An American entertainer, playwright, music producer, and songwriter known as "the man who owned Broadway". He wrote, composed, produced, and acted in more than three dozen Broadway musicals.
- Joel Cohan: An American screenwriter, director, and producer working in the television industry. Known for producing "Criminal Minds" and writing for shows like "American Dreams".
- William Cohan: An American journalist, non-fiction author and television producer. He has authored numerous bestsellers including "House of Cards" and "Money and Powers".
- Frankie Cohan: An American playwright and songwriter best known as the lyricist of the classic ballad "I'll be seeing you".
- Mel Cohan: A renowned American music producer and talent manager known for working with artists like John Lennon and Bob Dylan.
- Anne Cohan: A notable American artist whose abstract sculptures have been exhibited in museums and galleries.
- Marc Cohan: An accomplished American architect who has worked on many renowned projects, including the redesign of the Museum of Modern Art.
- Barry Cohan: A famous American magician known for his appearing and disappearing acts.
- Laurence J. Cohan: An award-winning American journalist known for his investigative reporting.
- Bruno Cohan: A Brazilian businessman and philanthropist.