Surname Kogen - Meaning and Origin

Kogen: What does the surname Kogen mean?

The last name Kogen is of Ashkenazic Jewish origin. It's derived from the Yiddish word “kogen” or “koen” which mean "priest". The name stems from an ancient Jewish tradition, where certain responsibilities and privileges were given to the male descendants of Aaron, the brother of Moses, who were known as Kohanim, meaning priests. The descendants were from the Tribe of Levi and they performed various religious duties and rituals in the Jewish Temple. The surname Kogen or Cohen, therefore, suggests this lineage and the religious responsibilities associated with it, designating the person as being a part of a respected and significant lineage within the Jewish tradition. It's worth noting that the status of being a Kohen comes with certain restrictions under Jewish law, such as specific marriage laws, and certain ceremonial privileges.

Kogen: Where does the name Kogen come from?

The surname Kogen is of Jewish origin, specifically Ashkenazi Jewish. The Ashkenazi Jews are a Jewish diaspora population who coalesced in the Holy Roman Empire around the end of the first millennium. Many eastern European and Germanic last names were adopted by Jewish families during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries due to various legal mandates and social pressures.

The name Kogen itself could potentially be a derivative of the Hebrew term "Kohen," which means "priest." Kohens are believed to be of direct patrilineal descent from the biblical Aaron, the brother of Moses. Therefore, many Jewish families with a history of priesthood may carry variations of this surname.

Today, the surname Kogen can be found in many countries throughout the world due to the widespread diaspora of Jewish communities. It remains most common in nations with significant Jewish populations, such as Israel, the United States, and some countries in Europe. The exact prevalence may vary, as the name has been subject to various nationalistic, linguistic, and personal adaptations.

Variations of the surname Kogen

The surname Kogen is of Jewish origin and traces back to Eastern Europe. Variations and alternate spellings can occur due to translation from Eastern European languages and dialects to English, as well as variations in spelling over generations. Some of these variations include Kagan, Kogan, Kogen, and Cogen.

In addition, there seem to be versions where a prefix is attached to the root name, like Lekogen. The name is also found as a part of compound surnames like Kogenberg, Kogenfeld, and Kogensmith.

Development of different surnames from Kogen could also be due to migration and subsequent assimilation, resulting in anglicized versions of the original surname. More personalized variations could exist as well, based on a person's hometown, occupation, or other personal attributes.

It is important to note that while these names are similar and may have the same extraction, individual families with these names might be unrelated. Similarly, one specific family might see a variety of these surnames among its members due to transcription errors, attempts at assimilation, or personal preference. Therefore, while these surnames share a common origin, their usage may vary widely based on a host of historical and social factors.

Famous people with the name Kogen

• Joseph Kogen: Joseph Kogen is an American lawyer and former Deputy Director for Policy Planning at the United States Department of Justice under the Obama administration. He is currently an attorney in private practice.
• Ben Kogen: Ben Kogen is a film and television producer based in Los Angeles. He is best known for executive producing/producing shows such as J.J. Abrams' series Almost Human, and multiple seasons of IFC's cult hit Portlandia.
• Greg Kogen: Greg Kogen is an American businessman and the current Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NorthStar Realty, a real estate investment trust.
• Ron Kogen: Ron Kogen is an American television and film producer, best known for executive producing Fox's hit comedy New Girl, as well as ABC's Suburgatory and NBC Universal's Working the Engels.
• Chanan Kogen: Chanan Kogen is an Israeli artist and sculptor. His works are in the collections of the Israel Museum in Jerusalem, and are included in the permanent exhibitions of the Tel Aviv Museum of Art.
• Blue Kogen: Blue Kogen is an American architect and urban planner, best known for his iconic designs of university buildings in and around the Bay Area in California.
• Larry Kogen: Larry Kogen is an American actor, known for his roles in the films American Beauty and Murderball.
• Eleny Kogen: Eleny Kogen is a Brazilian-born filmmaker and video artist. She has directed several award-winning documentaries, music videos, and short films, many of which have been featured in international festivals.
• Sergei Kogen: Sergei Kogen is a Russian-born graphic designer and painter. He is known for his bold, vibrant, colorful pieces, which are recognizable by their heavy Russian influences.
• Lewis Kogen: Lewis Kogen is an American film director, writer and producer. He is best known for his work on cult classic horror films such as Curse of the Werewolf and Ghost Stories.

Other surnames

KogelKögelKögeleKogelerKögelerKogelheideKögelmaierKogelmannKögelmannKögelmayrKögelmeier