Surname Cahan - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'C'
Cahan: What does the surname Cahan mean?
The last name Cahan is an Irish surname with origins in County Cork. It is thought that this particular surname originated in Cork as early as the 13th century.
The origins of the name Cahan are not clear, however, it may be derived from the Gaelic term ‘cathach’ meaning ‘warlike’ or ‘noble’. It is also possible that the name is a form of the Irish ‘O Cathain’, or ‘grandson of Cathain’.
The Cahan surname has spread widely throughout Ireland and is most commonly found in counties Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Galway and Dublin. It is believed that there are many individuals in the United States who also have the Cahan surname, with the majority of them being emigrants from Irish ancestry.
The Cahan name is associated with people who are loyal, determined, faithful and proud. They are said to have strength, and a strong sense of morality. They have a high degree of confidence in their abilities and a dedication to achieving success. Cahan individuals are highly ambitious and often times place great value on their careers and families.
The Cahan surname is one that symbolises a strong heritage and a great wealth of culture. It is a proud and distinct name, one that is full of strength and character.
Order DNA origin analysisCahan: Where does the name Cahan come from?
The last name Cahan is quite common throughout the United States today, as well as in Latin America, such as Mexico and Central America. It is also common in certain parts of Europe, such as Ukraine, Hungary, Germany, Austria, and Romania.
In North America, the surname Cahan is most prevalent in the United States. It ranks among the top 1,000 surnames in the U.S., with states such as New Jersey, New York, California, and Illinois having the most individuals with this surname. In Latin America, the last name is widely spread throughout Mexico and Central American countries.
In Europe, the surname can be found in Ukrainian, Hungarian, German, Austrian, and Romanian countries. In Ukraine, Cahan is among the top 500 surnames, and in Hungary, it is amongst the top 300 surnames. In Germany and Austria, the name ranks in the top 1,000 surnames, and in Romania, it is in the top 500.
The last name Cahan is relatively rare in countries such as Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia. It is however, slowly gaining popularity.
Overall, Cahan is a relatively common surname throughout the world. It has significant presence in North America, Latin America, and Europe, with smaller numbers in countries such as Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia.
Variations of the surname Cahan
The surname Cahan, also spelled Cohn, Kohn, Kahn, and Kahnman, is an occupational name of Jewish origin derived from the Hebrew word "kohen," meaning "priest." It was often used by Levite families, the priestly class of the Israelites in the First Temple period.
The spelling variations and surnames of Cahan are believed to have varied over time, as the same surname could appear in different forms from different regions.
For example, in England, the spelling of Cahan became ‘Kahn’, in Europe, it was spelled ‘Cohn’, and in the United States it went from ‘Kohn’ to ‘Cahan’.
Although the spelling variations of the Cahan surname seem to have originated from different locations, they are all believed to have descended from the same family line.
In the 12th century, the German spelling of Cohn was used and soon spread throughout Europe. In the 17th century, the surname Kahn became popular in England and then adopted by the Ashkenazic Jews who immigrated to America. By the 19th century, spelling variations such as Cohen and Cohan began to appear in the United States.
Another variation of the name is Kahnman, which is believed to have been derived from the English spellings ‘Cahan’ and ‘Kahn.’
Interestingly, all of the surnames have variants in each language, not just spelling variations, meaning that they could sound similar, even though they are written differently.
In conclusion, the Cahan surname, with its many variants and spellings, is a unique and diverse surname that has been used by many families for many years. The fact that all of its variant spellings appear to have the same root source is a testament to its ancient and significant family lineage.
Famous people with the name Cahan
- Abraham Cahan (1860-1951) — American Yiddish writer and newspaper editor, founder of the Jewish Daily Forward.
- Moses Cahan (1932-2001) — bridge player, a six-time world champion.
- Maya Cahan (b. 1993) — Israeli model and actress.
- Harris Cahan (1910-1983) — founder of San Francisco's Cahan's department stores.
- Mordecai Cahan (1914-1996) — British-born Israeli painter.
- David Cahan (1817-1891) — Lithuanian Jewish scholar.
- Morris Cahan (1908-1988) — American lawyer and statesman from Illinois.
- Ruth Cahan (1914-1996) — American abstract expressionist artist.
- Mark Cahan (b. 1967) — American novelist and short-story writer.
- Afa Anoai Cahan (1929-2010) — American professional wrestler, better known by the ring names of Afa or Sika.