COZENS
Cozens is a surname of English origin. Its earliest documented appearance is that of Roger Cusin in the Pipe Rolls of Norfolk in 1166, during the reign of King Henry XI, who was known as “The Builder of Churches” (1154‑1189).
In its etymology the name is a patronymic of the medieval personal name Cousin, which was a term of endearment referring to a close relative or friend. The medieval usage of Cousin was derived from the Middle English form cousin and from the Old French couin, itself borrowed from the Latin consobrinus. In the Middle Ages the word carried the general meaning “relative, kinsman” and was often used to denote a person connected in some way to a prominent figure within a neighbourhood.
In some instances the surname may have arisen as a nickname for an individual who repeatedly addressed others with the familiar term “cousin.” As with many early European surnames, the habit of assigning a nickname based on a personal characteristic, such as a habit of address, was common. Over time these patronymic and nickname forms became the most frequent versions of the name.
Among the better-known bearers of the surname is Alexander Cozens, who died in 1786. He was a landscape painter in water‑colours, born in Russia and reputed to be the son of Peter the Great. Cozens studied art in Italy and settled in England in 1746.
Thus, the surname Cozens carries a history rooted in medieval affection between kin and friend, with its earliest record dating back to the mid‑tenthteenth century, and its continued use reflecting both familial ties and social familiarity in the English tradition.
Typical given names associated with the Cozens surname
Male
- Andrew
- Bob
- Christopher
- David
- James
- John
- Keith
- Mark
- Michael
- Paul
- Peter
- Robert
- Scott
- Simon
- Tim
Female
- Elizabeth
- Emma
- Heather
- Jane
- Joan
- Karen
- Lisa
- Margaret
- Nicola
- Patricia
- Samantha
- 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 Cozens in...
Braille
⠉⠕⠵⠑⠝⠎
Morse
-.-.-----...-....
Semaphore
There are approximately 2,850 people named Cozens in the UK. That makes it roughly the 3,131st most common surname in Britain. Around 44 in a million people in Britain are named Cozens.
Famous people named Cozens
- Chris Cozens - Swimmer
- Sydney Cozens - Cyclist (1908 to 1985)
- George Alexander Cozens - Army general (1910 to 1)
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.