Surname Cohrsen - Meaning and Origin

Cohrsen: What does the surname Cohrsen mean?

The surname Cohrsen is of German origin. It is traceable to an Old German language, and it is derived from the root word “horson”, which means “horse man” or “horse warrior”. It likely originated as a nickname for a brave or fierce warrior, or a nobleman with a particular riding or horsemanship skill.

The most common usage of the last name, Cohrsen, today, is located in northern and northeastern Germany. It is believed to have originated in the Holstein region, which is part of modern-day Germany. It is also found prominently in parts of Germany’s Lowland and Baltic states. In fact, the oldest known bearer of the surname was a Latvian man living in what was then part of Prussia.

Early records indicate that the first Cohrsens trace their lineage to southwest Germany in the early 1700s. During that time, many of them were farmers or members of small horse-riding regiments in the military. Over time, the name spread through migration to other parts of Europe and eventually other parts of the world such as the Americas.

Today, Cohrsen is an uncommon but largely recognized last name among people of northern and central European descent. While it is difficult to pinpoint its exact origin, it’s clear that the name’s proud legacy began centuries ago and has only grown in the intervening years.

Cohrsen: Where does the name Cohrsen come from?

The last name Cohrsen is not particularly common today. It is most often found in countries around the Baltic Sea, and more specifically in Germany, Denmark and Sweden. It is estimated that it can currently be found in over 400,000 people e.g. people with Germanic roots.

The earliest record of the Cohrsen surname seems to date back to the early 1500s in Germany. It was not until much later that it became common in other countries, possibly travelling with German immigrants in the 1800s and early 1900s.

Although the name is not particularly widespread, there are still quite a few people around the world who are proud to carry the Cohrsen name. It is believed that there are many different branches of the original Cohrsen family in Germany, Denmark and Sweden that have not yet been connected in the modern era.

The Cohrsen name today is often associated with members of the Middle and Upper Classes and in particular with academics, entrepreneurs and professionals. It is also sometimes seen associated with Herero people from Namibia and Southern Angola, indicating a possible colonial link.

In conclusion, the last name Cohrsen is not particularly common today, but it is estimated that it still exists in multiple countries around the Baltic Sea and even in some African countries, among the Herero people. It is still a name that is often associated with academics, entrepreneurs and the Middle and Upper Classes.

Variations of the surname Cohrsen

Cohrsen is a surname of German origin. The variants of this surname include Cohren, Koehren, Koehrsen, Koerrsen, Korsen, Corrsen and Corse.

Cohrsen is believed to be derived from the German word ‘Kor’, which means basket. The presence of this word in the surname suggests that its original bearers may have been basket-makers or basket-sellers.

The spelling of the surname across various countries also differ. While in Germany, it is spelled as Cohrsen, in Austria and Switzerland, the spelling is Coehrsen. In the Netherlands and Denmark, the spelling is Koehrson and Korson respectively. In France, the spelling is Korson. In the United States and Canada, the spelling is Coorsen.

The same surname in different countries is spelled in different ways. In Germany, it is malaria in Germany, in Switzerland, Köhrsen; in Holland, Koehrsen, and in the United States, Calories(en, inner, er, ours).

Cohrsen or its variants are also used as middle names, and as surnames by other family members. There are variant spellings of the name, such as Cohrs, Coorrs, Korsen, Corersen, and Coehrlen, which may identify separate lineages of the same family.

The spelling of the surname may have also evolved over time as the family migrated around Europe. Variations in spelling might even indicate different roots or origins of the surname. Therefore, researching all the possible variants of the surname can help trace the family history with more accuracy.

Famous people with the name Cohrsen

• Gail Cohrsen (American theater and film actress)
• Bill Cohrsen (Former professional soccer player for the New York Cosmos team)
• Gabe Cohrsen (American television actor and producer, best known for his roles on The Late Show with David Letterman, and TV series such as The West Wing and Malcom in the Middle)
• Elinor Cohrsen (American actress and singer)
• Jay Cohrsen (American politician, founder of the Progressive Democratic Party)
• Sam Cohrsen (Former professional table tennis player)
• Emmy Lou Cohrsen (American actress and theater director)
• Bonnie Cohrsen (American photographer and curator)
• Jessica Cohrsen (American filmmaker, best known for her documentary feature 'The Gospel According to André')
• Joanna Cohrsen (American actress, best known for her role in the popular television series 'Seinfeld')

Other surnames

Cohrs