Surname Cohoon - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'C'
Cohoon: What does the surname Cohoon mean?
The last name Cohoon is of English origin and is an occupational name; it refers to an official whose responsibility was salting and curing fish. It derives from the Middle English term “cohune,” which is an alteration of the Old English word “cob,” which means “species of salted and smoked fish.”
The old English word “cohune” was used from the year 1299 to the 19th century, and referred to a person whose job was to prepare fish for sale and consumption. This would include catching the fish, salting it to preserve it, and often smoking it to add flavor. It is believed that the name Cohen emerged from this occupational name and was applied to individuals who worked in the fish processing industry.
The name Cohoon is thought to have originated in the UK, probably in the counties of Yorkshire, Devon, and Cornwall. Records of the name exist as far back as 1483, and it remains in use in the UK today. In the US, records of the name date back to 1659, when a Thomas Cohoon arrived in Salem, Massachusetts.
Cohoon is an uncommon surname today, but it continues to be used around the world by those who can trace their ancestry back to an ancestor with this name. The name carries with it a unique heritage, one steeped in a centuries-old tradition of processing and providing fish for consumption.
Order DNA origin analysisCohoon: Where does the name Cohoon come from?
The last name Cohoon is most commonly found in the United States. According to the United States Census Bureau, it is estimated that there are about 3,665 people with the last name Cohoon in the U.S. It is concentrated in the south central region of the country and can be found in the following states: Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia.
The origin of the last name is English, mainly from southwestern counties like Somerset, Dorset, Hampshire, and Wiltshire. It is thought to come from the term “cogan” or “cogan”, which is an Old English word for a charcoal burner. The original name holders were thought to have lived in or near coal-rich areas, making a living by burning charcoal. Thus, the last name Cohoon was likely adopted by families of charcoal burners in different parts of England.
In modern times, the last name is most closely associated with the South Central region of the U.S., though it can also be found in other areas, including Canada, England, Scotland, and South Africa. The last name is also used as a given name in the U.S., and it is still carried by a number of Cohoon family descendants.
Variations of the surname Cohoon
The surname Cohoon is a relatively uncommon surname. It is usually found among families who are of either Dutch or English origin.
Variant spellings for the family include Cahon, Cohon, Kohon, Cohen, Cohon, Kohan, Cohan and Coon. In England, the surname is sometimes spelled as "Cahoon," while in Scotland, it is spelled as "Couron."
In Dutch, the surname is spelled as "Kohon," while in some other European countries, it is spelled as "Cohen," "Kahn" or "Kahn," and in some Slavic countries, it is spelled "Kohone." Another variation of the surname is "Cohoon."
Surnames similar to Cohoon, which may have a common origin, include Cooley, Coughlin, Koon, Koontz, Combs, Cowan, Colvin, Cole, Gohman, Coleman, Kohn, Gahm, Coombe, and Kohl.
Cohoon is an uncommon surname, but it has many different variants and spellings, making it a distinctive surname. It is likely that many people with this surname are related, depending upon the origin of the family. Some of the variations, such as "Cohoon," may be derived from other surnames, such as "Cole" or "Colin."
Famous people with the name Cohoon
- Dean Cohoon: American actor, best known for his work in Red vs Blue and Hazbin Hotel
- Olive Cohoon: American silent film actress
- Mark Cohoon: Minor League baseball player who has played for the New York Mets and Toronto Blue Jays
- Bob Cohoon: Former American football coach
- Jon Cohoon: American musician, best known as a former member of Belgian metal band Channel Zero
- George R. Cohoon: American military officer, recipient of the Silver Star
- Remy Cohoon: American College Basketball coach, former head coach for Colorado State Rams
- Angeline Emily Cohoon: American singer, actress, and dancer, best known for her performance in the film, The Great Ziegfeld
- Harry Edward Cohoon: American politician, former mayor of Caldwell, Idaho
- Dellena Cohoon: American political activist and former member of the Ohio General Assembly