Surname Gohen - Meaning and Origin

Gohen: What does the surname Gohen mean?

The surname Gohen, also often spelled as Cohen, has Jewish origins and is quite common amongst Jewish communities. It derives from the Hebrew word "Kohen", which translates to "priest". Specifically, Kohen was used to describe those believed to be direct male descendants of the biblical character Aaron, who was the older brother of Moses and a high priest. These descendants, called Kohanim, were assigned religious duties and responsibilities. The surname has also been anglicized into many versions such as Cohn, Kohn, and Kuhn, amongst others. The meaning of the name could vary in different cultures and languages, but its Jewish context is the most recognized globally.

Gohen: Where does the name Gohen come from?

The surname Gohen appears to be of Jewish origin, derived from a popular and sacred Jewish surname Cohen, which means "priest" in Hebrew. The alternative spelling may reflect differences in transliteration from the original Hebrew into English or other European languages. It could also be a result of misspelling or pronunciation changes during immigration or due to cultural assimilation in non-Hebrew speaking countries. The name Cohen is related to the Jewish priests claiming descent from the biblical Aaron, brother of Moses.

Due to the Jewish diaspora, Gohen, or variants of this surname, can be found in many countries around the world today. It is most common in countries with significant Jewish populations, such as Israel, the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and France. However, the exact frequency of the surname Gohen versus other variants (such as Cohen, Kohen, or Cohn) can significantly vary from place to place, and the surname Gohen considered compared to its variant forms is not very common today.

Variations of the surname Gohen

The surname Gohen could have variations in spelling and pronunciation due to transitions across regions, cultures, and languages over the centuries. Some of these variations can include Cohen, Coen, Cohan, and Kohen, among others. These surnames primarily have Jewish origins and are said to be derived from the Hebrew term "Cohen", which translates to "Priest".

The surname's spelling can also vary depending on the lingual adaptations and transliterations. In some parts of the world, it is found as Hohen, Gohen, Goen or even Kohan.

Furthermore, surnames like Cowen or Cowan could be other less common variations of the same origin. Both of these versions likely stem from an anglicization of the original Hebrew term.

In some cases, prefixations and suffixations may also be added to the surname especially in different Jewish communities, invoking variations such as Cohen-Solal, Cohen-Tannoudji, HaKohen, and others.

The Cohen surname is quite common among people of Jewish descent, and its variations can be found in Jewish diaspora communities all around the world.

Please note that surnames might have multiple origins and might not always share the same origins even if they sound or are spelled similarly. Determining the exact origins of a surname requires thorough genealogical research.

Famous people with the name Gohen

• John Gohen: Former player for the NFL team, the Washington Football Team.
• Paul Gohen: Former professional basketball player, who played for various NBA teams such as the Phoenix Suns and the Chicago Bulls.
• Dave Gohen: Professional ice hockey player, who played in the NHL for the Los Angeles Kings.
• Lee Gohen: Actor and singer, who appeared on shows like Airwolf, Stargate SG-1 and Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman.
• Raphael Gohen: Belgian entrepreneur and businessman, founder of the fashion brand United Labels.
• Sam Gohen: World champion Surfer from the United States.
• Evelina Gohen: Professional golfer from New Zealand.
• MJ Gohen: Award-winning artist and animator, who worked with companies such as Pixar, DreamWorks and Disney.
• Judy Gohen: Award-winning journalist, author and political analyst based in Washington, DC.
• Stephen Gohen: Award-winning British actor, who has featured in films such as The King’s Speech, The Iron Lady and The Queen.

Other surnames

GoheenGohel