KORNGOLD Origin of surname
Surnames derive from one of many different origins. Sometimes there may be more than one explanation for the same name. This family name may derive from lineage (priestly, Levite, convert). It may also have been originally a personal or occupational nickname. This family name also derives from an artificial (or ornamental) name (a made-up name often in compound of two words).
Literally "corn gold", or "as golden as corn" in German, the surname Korngold is associated with the corn trade. In some cases, Jewish family names comprising Korn are derived from Kohn, which is a variant of the traditional Jewish title Kohen ("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, and the elder brother of Moses. 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. The old title Kohen Tzedek, meaning in Hebrew "authentic priest" (a more accurate translation than the more common term "righteous priest"), indicated authentic lineage. It 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 Korngold include the 20th century Moravian-born Austrian composer, Erich Wolfgang Korngold, and the designer of the modern Hebrew typeface Koren used to print traditional literature, Z. Korngold.
Erich Wolfgang Korngold
(Personality)Erich Wolfgang Korngold (1897-1957) , composer, born in Brno, Czech Republic (then part of Austria-Hungary), the son of Julius Korngold, the famous Viennese music critic. He studied in Vienna, with Alexander von Zemlinsky among others. He enjoyed great success at an early age with Der Schneemann (pantomime, 1908), the operas Violanta and Der Ring des Polykrates (both 1916) and especially Die tote Stadt (1920). Following this success Korngold became conductor at the Hamburg Opera and, in 1931, teacher at the Academy of Vienna. In 1929 he began his collaboration with director Max Reinhardt. In 1934 he immigrated to the USA and lived in Hollywood, where he composed a number of film scores. In 1942 and 1944 he conducted light operas with the New York Opera.
Korngold composed symphonic overtures, a sinfonietta, a piano concerto for left hand, a violin concerto, chamber music and other operas, including Das Wunder der Heliane (1927), Kathrin, (1939), and Die Stumme Serenade (1954). After 1945 he divided his time between the United States and Europe. He died in Hollywood, California.