Surname Cushen - Meaning and Origin
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Cushen: What does the surname Cushen mean?
The last name Cushen is of Anglo-Saxon origin, and is derived from the Middle English term "cusne," which is derived in turn from the Old English term "cuse," meaning "cushion." It is believed that the name was originally used as a nickname for someone who made or sold cushions or cushioned furniture.
The name Cushen first appeared in written records in the 1400s, and is found most commonly in Ireland, the UK, and the US. There is a Cork Cushens in Ireland, a place name, as well as some other Irish variants of the name Cushion.
The Cushen name continues to be an important family name today, enjoying a wide range of social networking platforms and showing up in various forms worldwide. Cushen families can be found in the US, and can also be traced back to some other European countries including Italy and Germany.
The modern Cushen is likely to enjoy a life of travel, family support, philanthropy, business dealings, and an appreciation for the finer things in life. The Cushens have a history of achievement and success in their chosen fields, and they are often respected for their ambition, determination, and talents. Today, a modern Cushen is likely to use technology to new heights of success, and be proud of their unique family name.
Order DNA origin analysisCushen: Where does the name Cushen come from?
The surname Cushen is of Irish origin and is most commonly found in the south-western parts of Ireland today. It is thought to derive from the Gaelic Ó Coisdealbhaigh, meaning perpetual clients or dependents. The surname is associated with County Cork in particular, where it is one of the ten most common surnames.
The surname is gradually spreading across the world as its holders emigrate, and today it can be found in small numbers in other countries such as the UK, the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. It is most commonly found in these countries among those with Irish heritage.
The vast majority of those bearing the surname Cushen are found in the south-western parts of Ireland and are mainly concentrated in counties Cork, Limerick, Kerry, Waterford and Tipperary. In Paula Conlon's book 'County Cork Surnames' she notes that the Cushens were one of the leading families of county Cork and that they had been based in Dromina for several centuries.
In summary, the surname Cushen is of Irish origin and is most commonly found in the south-western parts of Ireland, particularly County Cork. Whilst it can also be found in other parts of the world, the majority of those bearing this name live in Ireland.
Variations of the surname Cushen
The surname Cushen has many diverse variants in spelling and variations in surname. These variants include Cusson, Cussen, Cushan, Cusani, Cussan, Cushenne, Cussin, Cushing, Cushon, Cushone, Cushin, Cussane, Cusson, Cushene, Cussane, Cussum, Cushingham, and Cushine.
Cushen is derived from the Irish name Cussane, which comes from the Irish word “Caoisigh” (pronounced ‘keece’) meaning “one who has a strong will”. The representation of the name in Irish was O Caoisigh. The name Cushen is also thought to have been derived from the old Irish personal name Othius or Oethys, which has some word links to Irish mythology and means “energetic” or “all-powerful”.
The Cushens of Ireland and the United Kingdom come from a single family descended from Bishop Othias/Oethys in the second half of the 1400s. From this family, Skipness Castle and the lands of Vaul in Kilbride, through which the Kintyre Peninsula extends, were traded to the family of Cushen.
The surname Cushen is also evident in Ireland. In County Tipperary, Cussane was an important Anglo-Norman family. The name is also found among some Irish Catholic families. In Scotland, the surname is mainly found in Kintyre, Ayrshire, Kernowan and in particular Kilbride in Argyll, where the surname is recorded as Cussane, Cussane, Cushan and variations thereof.
It is also likely that the name Cushen has been Anglicized from the German surname Husson, which was derived from the Hebrew given name, Hoson, meaning "a wonderful force".
The name Cushen is found in other parts of Europe as well, although the spelling in different countries may vary. For example, in some cases the spelling of Cushen may be changed to Keshan, Kushan, Kashan, and Kussan.
Overall, Cushen is a surname with a fascinating and complex background. It is of both Gaelic origin and from other European countries, demonstrating its strong migratory trends from numerous sources. Throughout Europe, the United States, Australia and Canada the surname Cushen is still seen in many forms.
Famous people with the name Cushen
- Joy Cushen: A former rower who competed in the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
- Michael Cushen: An award-winning British actor who has been in "The Full Monty" and "Bend it Like Beckham".
- Stephen Cushen: A former boxer who was world amateur champion in 2003 and 2004.
- Nicholas Cushen: An English footballer who played for Manchester United and Leicester City.
- Alan Cushen: An Australian actor known for his roles in the film "The Combination" and the TV show "Rake".
- Thomas Cushen: An Irish politician who served as Minister for Labour and Industry in the 1950s.
- John Cushen: A British business leader and philanthropist.
- Anthony Cushen: An English musician and composer. He is known for his scores to films such as "The Full Monty" and "The English Patient".
- Peter Cushen: A former professional footballer who played in the Premier League for Swindon Town.
- Sarah Cushen: An internationally renowned New Zealand poet.