Surname Kohne - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'K'
Discovering Self, Tracing Roots: An Emotional Journey with iGENEA DNA Testing
The DNA test experience with iGENEA was an emotion-filled journey, making me appreciate my familial line and surname, Kohne. Examining my DNA results opened doors I didn't know existed while drawing me closer to my cultural roots and creating a broader sense of self-identity.
W. Kohne
read moreKohne: What does the surname Kohne mean?
Kohne is a German surname derived from the Middle High German name künec, meaning “bold” or “brave”. The name is believed to have originated in the 13th century, indicating a courageous or strong-willed ancestor.
Kohne is a fairly common name in South Germany, particularly Bavaria, and over the centuries has spread to North Germany, Central Europe, and beyond. Today it can be found all over the world, albeit not as frequently as other German surnames.
The name Kohne is also often encountered in its variations, including Kohn, Kohnehr, Kohnegger, and Kohner. In some cases, the spelling has evolved along with languages and regions; for example, in Poland, it is spelled Kon, and in Hungary, it is Konnai.
Kohne is also sometimes used as a given name, especially in Australia, where its popularity can be attributed to the Wayward Pines, a television series based on a novel by Blake Crouch which features a protagonist named Kohne.
Historically, descendants of the Kohne family have typically served in military and political roles, been involved in trade, commerce, and craftsmanship, and also been known to be generous philanthropists. It was not uncommon for members of the Kohne family to attain positions of high esteem in their communities.
Order DNA origin analysisKohne: Where does the name Kohne come from?
The last name Kohne is most common today in Germany, where it can be found in almost every region. According to the German genealogical research firm Karteikartei, as of 2019 approximately 16,000 people living in Germany have the last name Kohne.
The name is also common in other parts of Europe, including Austria, Switzerland, France, Belgium, and the Netherlands. In the United States and Canada, it is much less common. The US Census Bureau reports in 2020 just over 1,500 people living in the United States have the surname Kohne.
Kohne is an occupational name, derived from the German word “Kohner,” meaning “cobbler.” The original spelling was Kohnen, which eventually evolved to the current Kohne spelling. The name is likely to have spread to other countries throughout Central and Western Europe due to the fact that German immigrants to the United States often adopted Kohnen as their new surname.
The Kohne name is becoming increasingly common throughout the world as people with this surname are becoming more physically mobile. Anecdotal evidence suggests that there are many more people living in countries like South Africa, Australia, and the United Kingdom who have taken on a more Americanized spelling of Kohne than in the past.
Overall, the Kohne surname is a common one throughout Europe, especially in Germany, and is becoming increasingly common in other parts of the world as well.
Variations of the surname Kohne
Kohne is a surname with a wide range of variants, spellings, and other surnames of the same origin. Commonly encountered variations include Cohen, Cohn, Cahn, Kohn, Kahn, Kogen, Kagan, and Kahan. The surname's origins may be found in the word kohen, the Hebrew word for "priest". The name is often associated with the Israelite tribe of the Kohanim, or priests, and is commonly adopted by Jewish families.
The German variant of the surname, Kohne, may have been derived from Koh, which can be translated as "hut" or "hut-maker". Some scholars have surmised that in earlier generations, the family may have included a family of hut-makers, as suggested by the German spelling.
In other countries, Kohne may also be spelled as Kohn and Kőhne. In Israel, it is difficult to determine the origins of the surname due to the mix of Hebrew and Yiddish surnames. In Poland, the surname is written as Kohn and the letters in the surname are often switched around, for example, Kahn and Kahan. In Hungary, the surname is often spelled as Kőhány and Kőnyei.
In Britain and America, the most common spelling is Cohen, with variations such as Cohn and Cahn. In France, the surname is written as Cohén.
Finally, some unrelated surnames share similar spellings with the Kohne surname, such as Koppen, Koppin, Kophin, Kuptin, and Kopin. As such, it is important to research and confirm an individual's origins when tracing their family history.
Famous people with the name Kohne
- Philip Köhne, Swiss professional ice hockey player
- Joseph Köhne, Major General in the German Imperial Army
- Henry Köhne, German architect and scenographer
- Mathilde Köhne, German lawyer and orthopedic surgeon
- Christine Köhne, German-American industrialist
- Rudolf Köhne, Swiss politician from the Swiss People’s Party
- Hermann Köhne, German World War I flying ace
- Joachim Köhne, German World War II U-boat commander
- Wolfgang Köhne, Swiss politician in the Swiss Christian Democratic Party
- Jakub Köhne, Polish climber, made first ascents in the Alps
- Angelica Köhne-Grassarini, German business executive, former head of Rabobank International
- Ernest Köhne, German entomologist
- Captain Alfred Köhne, junior staff officer at the German High Command during World War II
- Major Hans Köhne, German World War II ace
- Frieda Köhne, German World War II resistance fighter
- Lothar Köhne, German architect and professor
- Jean-Jacques Köhne, Swiss geologist and mineralogist
- Edward Köhne, American track and field athlete
- Fritz Köhne, German World War II fighter ace
- Gerhard Köhne, German Politician of the Social Democratic Party.