Surname Cussen - Meaning and Origin
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Cussen: What does the surname Cussen mean?
Cussen is an Irish surname. The name is derived from the Irish word ‘coiseán’ which means ‘foot’ or ‘footsoldier’. It is also thought to be a variant of the Irish name McCosker, which is a patronymic surname meaning ‘son of Cusc’.
The anglicized version of the name is most commonly seen in the southern parts of Ireland, particularly in counties Dublin, Cork and Waterford. It is also sometimes seen as Coughlan or Couglan.
The Cussen family is descended from an Irish knight who lived in Irish history’s medieval period. He had two sons, both of whom settled in Cork: Cork and Bandon. The family gained prominence over the centuries and there are many noteworthy members of it today, including politicians, businesspeople and entertainers.
The name Cussen is known to have crossed the Irish sea and spread to Wales, England, Scotland and America. In each case, people of the Cussen surname kept their heritage alive by surrounding themselves with other Irish people and instilling a sense of pride in their Irish heritage.
The Cussen surname is an enduring symbol of Irish roots and culture which will remain with people of the Cussen surname for many years to come.
Order DNA origin analysisCussen: Where does the name Cussen come from?
The surname Cussen is found most commonly in Ireland. It is most prevalent in counties Carlow, Cork, Tipperary, Waterford, Dublin, and Limerick, with the province of Munster having the highest concentration of people with this name. Outside of Ireland, people with the surname Cussen are found in various parts of Europe, particularly in England where this name has been established for centuries. Emmigrants from Ireland have also taken this surname with them to other parts of the world, including North America, Australia, and New Zealand. In the United States, this surname is most commonly found in the northeast, particularly in Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and New York.
This surname is thought to derive from two possible sources. One is from the old Irish Gaelic name "Mac Cuinn," meaning "son of Conn." Alternatively, it could derive from the old Norman name "Cusyn," which originated in Normandy and made its way to England and Ireland.
Cussen is a relatively common surname in Ireland, where it is carried on by families and descendants who have remained in the country for generations. However, with Irish emigration, many people with this name can now also be found in a variety of other countries.
Variations of the surname Cussen
The most popular variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin as Cussen are Cusan, Cussenach, Cussin, Cussine, Cussyn, Cossen, Cossan, Couzan, Cousine, and Cousin. It is also known by the alternate spellings Cussayne, Cucin, and Cucan.
The surname Cussen is believed to have derived from the Old French word “couste” meaning “cusp” or “sharp point” and has been found mainly in Dublin, Ireland. It is theorized that this surname was first adopted by the descendants of a Norman ancestor who first arrived in the 12th century.
The variants of Cussen that are most commonly encountered in modern times are Cussen and Cousin. These variants are still popular among Irish people living in the United States, and Cussen is also an established surname in Australia. The Cussen spelling is also seen in Canada, Australia, and parts of Europe.
The surname Cussen has been associated with various forms of cultural, political, and social significance. It was the surname of the first Commander-General of the Irish army in 1266, and the name is still recognized in modern-day Ireland. Cussen is also the surname of a historical Irish family in the Dublin area.
In addition, the Cussen name carries strong connotations of political leadership and activism in Irish-American communities. Irish-American politicians and civil rights activists often claim the surname, such as Barbara S. Cussen who is the first female state senator for New Jersey.
Overall, the surname Cussen is associated with a long and proud cultural heritage in Ireland and Irish-American communities. It also carries some notable historical and political significance. With its various spelled (Cussen, Cousin, Cussan, etc.), the surname has been found in parts of Europe, Australia, and North America.
Famous people with the name Cussen
- Luke Cussen: He is a former Chief Justice of Victoria. Prior to his appointment as Chief Justice, he was a senior judicial officer and barrister.
- Frank Cussen: He was an Irish barrister who served as the first Irish Minister for Education for six months in 1921.
- Dan Cussen: An Irish former professional footballer who has gone into a coaching role for St. Patrick's Athletic in the League of Ireland.
- Alice Cussen: She was a barrister and the first woman appointed to the Supreme Court of Western Australia.
- Dara Cussen: An Irish footballer who plays for Bohemian F.C in the Airtricity League.
- John Cussen: He is a former Irish politician, who served as a Teachta Dála for Bantry in Dáil Éireann from 1992 to 1997.
- Teresa Cussen: She is an Irish soprano, based in Dublin. She has toured extensively with the National Youth Opera of Ireland and the Irish National Concert for Peace.
- Mark Cussen: He is a retired Australian rules footballer from the 1980s and 1990s who played for the Sydney Swans and Hawthorn Hawks in the Australian Football League.
- Laura Cussen: Former 2012 Australian Commonwealth Scholar and currently a Senior Fellow in Law at the University of Melbourne.
- Dermot Cussen: He is a business consultant and management trainer. He completed the Advanced Management Programme (AMP) at Harvard Business School.