Last Name Kohn

The surname Kohn is of Ashkenazic Jewish origin, derived from the Yiddish and Hebrew word "kohen," which means priest. This family name was adopted by individuals who belonged to the priestly caste in ancient Israel or who were descendants of this group. It is one of the most common surnames among Jews of Central and Eastern European descent.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Kohn

The meaning and origin of the last name Kohn

The surname Kohn is of German and Jewish origin, derived from the medieval occupational name Köhnen, which means "charcoal burner" or "collier." It was a common occupation in the Middle Ages, as charcoal was essential for heating, cooking, and ironworking. In a Jewish context, Kohn can also be a variation of the Hebrew name Cohen, meaning priest, due to surname adoption patterns among Ashkenazi Jews. The spelling variations of the name include Cohen, Kohan, Cohn, and Kohen, all of which share a similar origin but may have been influenced by regional dialects or transcription errors over time.

Geographical distribution of the last name Kohn

The surname Kohn is predominantly of Ashkenazi Jewish origin and has its roots in Germany, Poland, and other Central European countries. Historically, large populations with the Kohn surname can be found in these regions due to the Jewish diaspora caused by various historical events such as expulsions, persecutions, and migrations. Over time, many individuals with the Kohn surname migrated to other parts of Europe, including Russia and Ukraine, and later on to the Americas, particularly the United States and Canada, in the 19th and 20th centuries. Today, significant populations bearing the last name Kohn can still be found in their traditional homelands as well as in North America, Israel, and other countries with large Jewish communities.

Variants and spellings of the last name Kohn

The surname Kohn has several variants and spellings due to historical and regional influences. Some common variations include Cohen, Cohan, Coen, Kahan, Kahane, Kahen, Kehn, Kohen, and Kon. These alterations can be attributed to differences in translation, transcription errors during migration, or assimilation into different cultures. For instance, the German form of the name is Kohen, while Cohen is predominantly used among Ashkenazi Jews. Cohan and Coen are more commonly found in Ireland and Scotland, being anglicized versions of original Gaelic names. Kahan and Kahane are also variants used by Jewish families, with Kahane having roots in Eastern Europe. Lastly, Kahen is a less common variant, while Kehn and Kon may be found among non-Jewish families as surnames unrelated to Kohn.

Famous people with the last name Kohn

Notable individuals with the surname Kohn include:

1. Albert Kohn (1924-2018), an American mathematician known for his work in number theory and algebraic geometry.

2. Arnold J. Kohn (1927-2019), an American lawyer who successfully represented the plaintiffs in the landmark civil rights case, Mapp v. Ohio.

3. Erich Kohn (1896-1969), a German film director and screenwriter, best known for his work in the German Expressionist cinema of the 1920s.

4. Hans Kohn (1891-1971), a Jewish historian and political scientist who is considered one of the founders of modern nationalism studies.

5. Jack Kohn (born 1936), an American mathematician known for his work in mathematical optimization, particularly in integer programming.

6. Paula Kahn (born 1942), an American legal scholar and feminist lawyer who has made significant contributions to the fields of civil procedure and feminist jurisprudence.

7. Richard Kohn (born 1939), an American historian, specializing in military history and strategy. He served as the Samuel Duke Lewis Professor of History Emeritus at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Genealogical research on the last name Kohn

The surname Kohn originates from Germany and is of Jewish descent. It is an occupational name derived from the Middle High German word "kun," meaning "smith" or "artisan." The name was commonly adopted by Jews who were engaged in various crafts. The Kohn family is believed to have migrated to Poland during the Middle Ages, where they became a prominent Jewish family. In the 16th century, many members of the Kohn family moved to Eastern Europe, particularly to Lithuania and Ukraine. During the 19th and 20th centuries, significant numbers of Kohns emigrated from Eastern Europe to other parts of the world, including the United States, Canada, and Israel. Notable individuals with the surname Kohn include mathematician Hermann H. Kohn, physicist Richard P. Feynman's brother, and violinist Arnold Kohn. The family name Kohn is still common among Jews of Eastern European descent.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Kohn"
• Global distribution of the surname on Forebears.io
• Wikipedia Article

About the author :

NomOrigine Team
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.
Last updated : 28 July 2025

Share the origin of your last name with your friends