The surname Kagan is of Jewish origin and is derived from the title "Khan" or "Kagan," which was used among the Khazars, a Turkic people who lived in what is now southern Russia and Ukraine between the 6th and 11th centuries. The Khazars adopted Judaism as their state religion in the 8th century, and many of their descendants later took on Jewish surnames based on their titles or occupations. The surname Kagan, therefore, is a sign of Jewish ancestry among some Ashkenazi Jews. It is also spelled as Khan or Cohen-Kagan.
Learn more about the origin of the last name Kagan
The meaning and origin of the last name Kagan
The surname Kagan originates from Eastern Europe, specifically from Russia and Ukraine. It is of Jewish origin and is derived from the Yiddish word "kagan," which means "prince" or "leader." Historically, the title "Kagan" was held by the Khazars, a medieval Turkic people who established a powerful kingdom in Eastern Europe. The surname Kagan may have been adopted as a surname by Jews of Khazar descent. In Russia and Ukraine, the surname Kagan is relatively common among Jewish families. Notable individuals with the surname Kagan include Leonid Kagan, a Soviet-era mathematician, and Norman Kagan, an American psychology professor.
Geographical distribution of the last name Kagan
The last name Kagan has its origins from ancient Jewish communities in Eastern Europe and Russia. Historically, the name is associated with the Kaganate, a precursor to the Russian Empire. Today, a significant number of Kagans reside in Israel, due to historical Jewish migration. In Russia, the distribution is mainly concentrated in Moscow, Saint Petersburg, and other urban areas. Additionally, there are notable populations of Kagans in Ukraine, Belarus, and other former Soviet Republics. In North America, a substantial number of Kagans can be found in the United States and Canada, particularly in cities with large Jewish communities such as New York, Los Angeles, Toronto, and Montreal. In summary, while Kagan's geographical distribution is primarily in Eastern Europe and its diaspora, there are also significant populations in Israel and North America.
Variants and spellings of the last name Kagan
The surname Kagan has several variations and spellings in different languages and regions. Here are some of them:
1. Kagan (English)
2. Каган (Russian, Cyrillic)
3. קג"ן (Hebrew)
4. 카간 (Korean Hangul)
5. Kahán (Czech and Slovak)
6. Kagán (Hungarian)
7. Kağan (Turkish)
8. Kaganovich (a Russian-derived surname, sometimes anglicized as Kaganoff)
9. Cogan (Irish and English, a variant of the Gaelic Ó Cogáin)
10. Kahne (German)
These variations reflect the surname's diverse origins and its adaptation to different languages and cultures over time.
Famous people with the last name Kagan
Notable individuals bearing the surname Kagan include:
1. Robert A. Kagan, an American political scientist and foreign policy analyst, known for his work on U.S. grand strategy, international relations, and the history of American foreign policy.
2. Rachel Kagan, a Canadian actress who has appeared in various television shows and films, such as "The Handmaid's Tale" and "Workin' Moms."
3. Vladimir Kagan, a prominent modernist furniture designer known for his upholstered sofas and chairs that became popular during the mid-20th century.
4. Steny Hoyer, an American politician who has served as the U.S. House Majority Leader and is currently the U.S. House Majority Leader-designate, with the last name Kagen being his grandfather's original spelling.
5. Ella T. Grasso, the Governor of Connecticut from 1975 to 1980, who was born Eleanor La Piara but took her stepfather's surname, Kagan, after their marriage.
Genealogical research on the last name Kagan
The Kagan surname has roots traced back to ancient Russia and Eastern Europe. Originally, Kagan was a title, derived from the Turkic word "khan," meaning leader or ruler. Notable bearers of the name include the medieval Kievan Rus' princes who held the title of Grand Prince of Kiev, such as Vladimir I (980-1015) and Yaroslav the Wise (978-1054). In Jewish contexts, the surname Kagan emerged during the Middle Ages, denoting a rabbi or a scholar. Famous Jewish Kagans include Rabbi Israel Meir Kagan, known as the Chafetz Chaim, and Yitzhak Kagan, a prominent Israeli politician. The name's distribution is widespread among Jewish communities in Eastern Europe and Israel, while it is less common in other parts of the world.
Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.
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