KOHAN Origin of surname
KOHAN
Surnames derive from one of many different origins. Sometimes there may be more than one explanation for the same name. This family name derives from lineage (priestly, Levite, convert).
The surname Kohan is a variant of Kohen/Cohen, the Hebrew for "priest". The oldest and probably the most common Jewish family name in existence, Kohen usually indicates descent from the biblical priestly family (Cohanim). According to tradition, the Cohanim are descendants of Aharon, the first high priest. Aharon was the elder brother of Moses who led the children of Israel out from slavery in Egypt to the promised land. The Cohanim performed consecrated duties in the Tabernacle and the Temple in Jerusalem until the destruction of the Second Temple by the Romans in 70 CE and still have certain duties and prerogatives in religious life. A great many variants of the name are documented all over the world. In many cases Cohen was transformed into vernacular-sounding names. This enabled Jews in the Diaspora both to maintain their Jewish tradition, as well as to become part of their host society. This enabled Jews in the Diaspora both to maintain their Jewish tradition, as well as to become part of their host society. Among the forms frequent in the Mediterranean region are Kahin, Al-Kuhen, El-Kohen, Kouihen, Choen, Xohen and Cof(f)en. Variants documented in Europe include: Cowen and Cowan (England); Cohn, Conn, Kahn, Kohn(e) and Kohner (Germany and Austria); Cahn, Cahen, Cahon, Caen and Cain (France); Coen (Italy); Cahan, Cahona, Kahana, Kahano, Kahane, Kon, Koihen, Kagan, Kogan, Kaplan, Kohnowsky, Koganovitch, Kahanow, Kahansky, Konstamm (Eastern Europe). Cohan, Cohane, Cohne, Cone, Coon, Kan and Koon are recorded in the United States. In some cases Cohen became part of an acronym (a name created from the initial letters of a Hebrew phrase, and which refers to a relative, lineage or occupation). The old title Cohen Tzedek, meaning "righteous priest" in Hebrew, was abbreviated to Katz, literally "cat" an animal name, in Yiddish and German, and became the source of numerous family names. Cohanim/Cohens who had broken one of the sacred laws or special rules applying to them were sometimes known as Halal and no longer called Cohen. Some took different family names, among them the North African Bettan and Ben Kessous.
Distinguished bearers of the Jewish family name Kohan include the Russian Hebrew writer, David Kohan (1838-1915).
Surnames derive from one of many different origins. Sometimes there may be more than one explanation for the same name. This family name derives from lineage (priestly, Levite, convert).
The surname Kohan is a variant of Kohen/Cohen, the Hebrew for "priest". The oldest and probably the most common Jewish family name in existence, Kohen usually indicates descent from the biblical priestly family (Cohanim). According to tradition, the Cohanim are descendants of Aharon, the first high priest. Aharon was the elder brother of Moses who led the children of Israel out from slavery in Egypt to the promised land. The Cohanim performed consecrated duties in the Tabernacle and the Temple in Jerusalem until the destruction of the Second Temple by the Romans in 70 CE and still have certain duties and prerogatives in religious life. A great many variants of the name are documented all over the world. In many cases Cohen was transformed into vernacular-sounding names. This enabled Jews in the Diaspora both to maintain their Jewish tradition, as well as to become part of their host society. This enabled Jews in the Diaspora both to maintain their Jewish tradition, as well as to become part of their host society. Among the forms frequent in the Mediterranean region are Kahin, Al-Kuhen, El-Kohen, Kouihen, Choen, Xohen and Cof(f)en. Variants documented in Europe include: Cowen and Cowan (England); Cohn, Conn, Kahn, Kohn(e) and Kohner (Germany and Austria); Cahn, Cahen, Cahon, Caen and Cain (France); Coen (Italy); Cahan, Cahona, Kahana, Kahano, Kahane, Kon, Koihen, Kagan, Kogan, Kaplan, Kohnowsky, Koganovitch, Kahanow, Kahansky, Konstamm (Eastern Europe). Cohan, Cohane, Cohne, Cone, Coon, Kan and Koon are recorded in the United States. In some cases Cohen became part of an acronym (a name created from the initial letters of a Hebrew phrase, and which refers to a relative, lineage or occupation). The old title Cohen Tzedek, meaning "righteous priest" in Hebrew, was abbreviated to Katz, literally "cat" an animal name, in Yiddish and German, and became the source of numerous family names. Cohanim/Cohens who had broken one of the sacred laws or special rules applying to them were sometimes known as Halal and no longer called Cohen. Some took different family names, among them the North African Bettan and Ben Kessous.
Distinguished bearers of the Jewish family name Kohan include the Russian Hebrew writer, David Kohan (1838-1915).
Roberto Kohan
(Personality)Roberto Kohan (1895-1988), mathematician and electromechanical engineer who pioneered the use of ceramics in dentistry, born in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Kohan was lecturer in ceramics at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem in the 1950s. He researched the use of ceramics in order to produce dental crowns and devised methods of making them more easier to construct. Author of Ceramics in Dentistry, Kohan taught at the Argentina Dental Association and was an assistant professor at the University of Buenos Aires.