COHEN
Cohen is a surname of Hebrew origin that frequently appears within Jewish communities and is also borne by individuals of Irish descent. The name is historically significant, reflecting religious, social and cultural dimensions across different epochs.
In Hebrew, the term kohen literally translates to “priest”. Hence the surname is traditionally understood as a hereditary marker for those who can trace their ancestry to the priestly class that served Israel in antiquity. Those bearing the name are often recognised as direct descendants of Aaron, the brother of Moses, who, according to biblical tradition, was the first hereditary priest.
While the surname is closely associated with this priestly caste, it is not a definitive proof of priestly descent. Historical evidence indicates that some Jews adopted the name Cohen as a deliberate strategy to escape compulsory military service imposed in certain jurisdictions, notably during the Russian Empire. In those contexts, a priestly status conferred exemption from conscription, providing a pragmatic incentive for the choice of this appellation.
In addition to its Arabic association, the surname Cohen has a distinct provenance in Ireland. It is believed to be an Anglicised variant of two Gaelic surnames: O Cadhain of Connacht and O Comhdhain of Ulster. The Gaelic prefix “O” designates a male descendant of an ancestor, and the personal bynames “Cadhan” and “Comhdan” are interpreted respectively as “wild goose” and as a shared gift. The Anglicised forms of these names include Cowen, Coen, Coyne, Cohan, Cohn, Cohani and Cahani, among others.
Historical registers provide concrete examples of the surname’s application. The Mambro Synagogue in London recorded the birth of one Levi Issoscher Cohen on 24 November 1772. On 20 August 1864, the birth of Michael, son of John Cohen, was documented in Claremorris, County Mayo. The earliest recorded spelling of the surname in London appears in a marriage record dated 28 August 1649, when John Cohen married Anne Barlow at St. Bartholomew the Less. This occurred during the reign of King Charles I, a period historically referred to as “The Martyr” (1625–1649).
The surname Cohen today is widely distributed in both Jewish and non‑Jewish populations across the United Kingdom and beyond, maintaining its dual heritage as a symbol of priestly lineage and as a marker of Irish ancestry.
Typical given names associated with the Cohen surname
Male
- Andrew
- Daniel
- David
- Jonathan
- Mark
- Michael
- Paul
- Philip
- Richard
- Simon
Female
- Deborah
- Elizabeth
- Joanne
- Lisa
- Margaret
- Michelle
- Nicola
- Rachel
- Rebecca
- Ruth
- Sandra
- Sarah
- Susan
Similar and related surnames
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.
How to communicate the surname Cohen in...
Braille
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Morse
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Did you know?
According to a survey carried out by Democracy Club, politicians and candidates with the surname Cohen are most likely to say that their favourite biscuit is a Dark Chocolate Digestive.
There are approximately 11,193 people named Cohen in the UK. That makes it the 817th most common surname in Britain. Around 172 in a million people in Britain are named Cohen.
Religion of origin: Jewish
Language of origin: Hebrew
Famous people named Cohen
- Eli Cohen - Israeli spy (1924 to 1965)
- Sacha Baron Cohen - Actor, comedian, screenwriter, director, and film producer
- Peaches Honeyblossom Geldof-Cohen - Journalist, television presenter and model (1989 to 2014)
- Oliver Jackson-Cohen - Actor and model
- Leonard Cohen - Canadian poet and singer-songwriter (1934 to 2016)
- Jack Cohen - Businessman (1898 to 1979)
- Alma Angela Cohen - Singer of traditional pop music in the 1950s and early 1960s (1932 to 1966)
- George Cohen - Football player
- Ben Cohen - Rugby union player
- Stanley Cohen - Sociologist (1942 to 2013)
- Mickey Cohen - American criminal (1913 to 1976)
- Steven A. Cohen - American hedge fund manager
- Chris Cohen - Football player
- Ronald Mourad Cohen - Businessman
- Jonathan Cohen - Cellist and conductor
- Harriet Cohen - Musician (1895 to 1967)
- Harry Cohen - Politician
- Leonora Cohen - Suffragette and magistrate (1873 to 1978)
- Benjamin Cohen - Journalist
- Nat Cohen - Film producer (1905 to 1988)
Names and descriptions courtesy of Wikipedia, and may contain errors. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of every famous person with this name.