Surname Cohane - Meaning and Origin

Cohane: What does the surname Cohane mean?

Cohane is derived from the Irish surname O'Coghain, a name typically associated with the Irish province of Munster. The name literally translates to "descent from Coghan," a personal name thought to derive from the Old Celtic terms "co," meaning "hound," and "gan," which means "love." The name is believed to refer an ancient, powerful family of wolf hunters, which is often associated with the druidic and bardic families of Ireland.

This ancient family was said to have descended from the legendary High Kings of Ireland, although the exact nature of this descent is unknown. The O'Coghains held a prominent position in the region, often serving as judges, merchants, and religious scholars.

Throughout centuries of war and domination, the name Cohane has been adopted outside of Ireland, particularly in the United States. Today, people of the Cohane surname can be found all over the world, usually as the descendants of Irish immigrants who left their native country in the 19th and 20th centuries.

The unique and rich history of the cohane family is an inspiration to all who proudly bear the surname. While the exact meaning of the name remains unknown, its long-standing relationship with the history and culture of Ireland is undeniable.

Cohane: Where does the name Cohane come from?

The last name Cohane is most commonly found today in the nation of Israel. Most Cohane families settled in Israel or what was then known as Palestine after leaving their previous homes in Eastern Europe during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. During this time, the Jewish population of Europe was shrinking due to anti-Semitic laws and rising anti-Jewish sentiment. Israeli Cohanes are a mix of Ashkenazi and Sephardi Jews, with the majority being descendants of Cohanes from Lithuania, Poland and other surrounding countries.

Today, the Cohane surname is also present in the United States and Canada, though its frequency is considerably lower. Cohanes in the United States can trace their ancestry to those who immigration during the creation of Israel and the influx of European Jews after WWII. Cohanes can also be found in the United Kingdom, Australia and other parts of Europe, though their numbers are much smaller in comparison.

With hundreds of Cohanes worldwide, it is not surprising to see a considerable number of Cohanes bearing the name in Israel. As a result, many Israelis feel a strong connection with their Cohane identity, and the Cohane clan remains a highly respected family in the Israeli community.

Variations of the surname Cohane

The surname Cohane is believed to have originated from the Gaelic surname Ó Catháin. Other variants, spellings and surnames derived from this origin include the following:

-Cahane

-Cohen

-Kahane

-Keohane

-Kohane

-Kohan

-Kohane

-Kohaner

-Kohn

-Kohne

-Konig

-Kozane

-McCahane

-McCohane

-McKechnie

-McKeogh

-McKonig

-McKone

-McKoon

-Meichan

-Meyerhoff

-Meyers

-Myers

It is believed that the differences in spelling and pronunciation of this surname came from cases where emigrants to other countries simplified the spelling and adapted it to their own language. For example, the Gaelic version of the surname may have become distorted as it was passed on from generation to generation; or it may have been altered by someone who wanted to disguise their origins.

The various spellings of the surname are also likely to have originated from other languages related to Gaelic, as it was common for Irish people to use the surnames of their ancestors who were born in countries such as Scotland and England.

In conclusion, there are numerous versions of the surname Cohane, with its variants, spellings and surnames tracing back to a Gaelic origin. This was most likely due to cases of simplifying, adaptation and patronage, as well as heritage.

Famous people with the name Cohane

• Faye Cohane: Producer, Director, and Writer known for television shows such as “The Job” and “Living Single”
• Dana Cohane: Self-described “Wine Travel Professional” who has contributed to publications such as Wine Spectator and the Huffington Post
• Miriam Cohane: Israeli politician and journalist
• J.P. Cohane: Former MLB player and coach
• Nomi Cohane: Israeli actress best known for her roles in the television shows “Fauda” and “Prisoners of War”
• Robert Cohane: American historian and author of works such as “The History of the Balkans” and “Europe Since Napoleon”
• Donald E. Cohane: American geneticist and author of “Molecular Genetics of the Cell”
• William J. Cohane: American lawyer and former Westchester County executive
• David Cohane: British playwright, director, and theatrical producer
• David A. Cohane: American professor of political science focusing on public policy and public administration.

Other surnames

Cohan