Surname Cohn - Meaning and Origin
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iGENEA DNA Test: An Emotional Journey into my Sephardic Jewish Lineage and Surname 'Cohn'
The iGENEA DNA test connection to my Sephardic Jewish gene marked an emotional journey, redefining my relationship with my ancestry and more specifically, my surname, ‘Cohn.' From anticipation to discovery to self-reflection, it brought about a sense of belonging, humbling responsibility, and a newfound reverence for history.
N. Cohn
read moreCohn: What does the surname Cohn mean?
The last name Cohn is of Jewish (Ashkenazic) origin, deriving from the German word "Kohn" or "Cohen" which means "priest". It is a traditional occupational surname used among Jewish communities throughout Eastern Europe. Notably, not all people bearing this surname necessarily have priestly origins as the name could have been adopted for various reasons. In traditional Jewish culture, those with the surname Cohn or Cohen are believed to be descendants of Aaron, the brother of Moses, from the Old Testament. They traditionally have had specific roles in Jewish religious rituals. Due to historical variations in spelling and translations, there are numerous spellings of the name, including Kohn, Kohen, Cone, and Kahn among others. Despite its heavy religious implications, the usage of the name does not necessarily denote religious adherence. Today, it is a common Jewish surname found around the world.
Order DNA origin analysisCohn: Where does the name Cohn come from?
The last name Cohn is of Jewish origin and primarily comes from Germany. It is derived from the Hebrew word "Kohen" which stands for a priest. Historically, the Cohn lineage belonged to a caste of hereditary priests who led religious and social practices in Jewish culture.
The Cohns were especially prominent during the Second Temple period, from about 516 BC to 70 AD. They maintained the holiest sites of Judaism such as the Tabernacle, the Temple in Jerusalem, and offered sacrifices, blessings, and rulings.
After the diaspora post the destruction of the Second Temple, the Cohns, like many other Jewish families, dispersed around the world. As a result, the surname Cohn can be found globally today, but is most common in countries like the United States, Germany, and Israel. Over time, variations in spelling have emerged due to regional linguistic differences, such as Cohen, Kohn, and Kahn. Despite the spread and variations, Jewish genealogical tradition asserts that present-day Cohns still signify priestly ancestry.
Variations of the surname Cohn
The surname Cohn has its root in the Hebrew name Cohen, which means priest. There are numerous spellings, variants, and surnames of the same Jewish origin. These include Kohen, Cahn, Kahne, Kahn, Cahan, Kahane, Cohon, Cohnen, Coen, Cone, Cowen, Kogan, Kagan, Kohn, Konen, and Kohen.
This surname has also been anglicised into different versions in different regions and countries. Besides the above-mentioned variants and spellings, there are also other derivations like Cohenour, Cohaner, or Cohnour. The variations arise from different pronunciations and regional dialects across the Jewish diaspora.
Decades of immigration have also included variants like Koln, Kolhn, Coln, or Cauln. These surname variations can be found throughout the world, particularly in countries where Jewish communities have made significant settlements, including but not limited to the United States, United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Israel.
Apart from these, there are also distinguished surnames due to professional or geographical characters such as Hacohen (The Priest), Kohanim (Priests), and Kohanoff (son of a priest). Different spellings, including different prefixes or suffixes, further increased the diversity of these surnames.
Famous people with the name Cohn
- Roy Cohn: A prominent American lawyer known for his role in the prosecution of Julius and Ethel Rosenberg and as the chief counsel to Senator Joseph McCarthy during the McCarthyism era.
- Marc Cohn: An American singer-songwriter who won the Grammy award for Best New Artist in 1991. His most famous song is "Walking in Memphis".
- Mindy Cohn: An American actress best known for her role as Natalie Green in the popular ‘80s television series "The Facts of Life".
- Al Cohn: An American jazz saxophonist, arranger, and composer known for his work with Woody Herman's Second Herd.
- Nik Cohn: A British music journalist and author.
- Fannie Cohen: Nicknamed Fanny Brice, she was a famous American actress, singer, and comedian.
- Sasha Cohn: A known American firefighter and reality TV star, who appeared in Survivor: Fiji.
- Gary D. Cohn: former president and chief operating officer of Goldman Sachs, and also served as chief economic advisor to President Donald Trump.
- Bruce Cohn: An American businessman and music manager, best known as the manager of the Doobie Brothers. Also owns the B.R. Cohn Winery in California.