Surname MacCohen - Meaning and Origin

MacCohen: What does the surname MacCohen mean?

The last name MacCohen is associated with the Cohenite tradition in Judaism, which has its roots in the ancient Hebrew priestly line of the Cohens. The surname MacCohen is derived from the Gaelic term macóg or macóc, meaning ‘son of Cohen’, and was likely adopted by several families of Jewish or partial Jewish heritage in areas such as Scotland, Ireland, and Wales.

Historically, the Cohens were descended from the sons of Aaron, the brother of Moses, and the Cohenite tradition held that the Aaronic line would remain faithful to the service of God and the priesthood. They were responsible for teaching Torah, offering sacrifices in the temple, and conducting the services of the synagogue. Later, the descendants of the Cohens became associated with scholarship in Jewish Law.

The MacCohen surname itself reflects the history of the Cohen line and its continued importance in certain branches of Judaism. Those families bearing the surname have a direct link to the earliest priests that served in the temple of Jerusalem, and the association with religious and scholarly traditions within Judaism can be an important source of pride for those who carry it.

MacCohen: Where does the name MacCohen come from?

The last name MacCohen is most commonly associated with Jewish families, and can be found today in countries like Israel, United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia.

In the United States, the most common states where the name MacCohen is found are New York, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Texas, and California. Los Angeles, California in particular has a large community of Jewish families with the last name MacCohen.

In Israel, the last name MacCohen originated from the Jewish community in the Middle East and is still quite common today.

In Australia, MacCohen is most commonly found in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, and Canberra.

In Canada, the last name MacCohen is most common in the provinces of Ontario and British Columbia, as well as the city of Montreal.

The UK has a much smaller population of MacCohen families in comparison to other countries, however it can be found in notable places such as London and Manchester.

Ultimately, the last name MacCOhen can be found all over the world; it just depends on the Jewish communities in each area.

Variations of the surname MacCohen

The surname MacCohen is of Hebrew descent and has multiple forms. It is also referred to as MacCohane, MacKohane, or MacKehane.

The prefix "Mc," found in many Scottish surnames, is derived from the Gaelic "mac," meaning "son." It is thought that the surname MacCohen is likely the Anglicized form of the Hebrew name "Cohen." This is due to the prevalence of "Mc" in Scotland, where many Jewish families began to settle in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

The surname can also be spelled MacCohane, MacKohane, or MacKehane. The variants are reflections of the spoken forms of the original Hebrew name, allowing for different spellings due to drifting pronunciation over time.

MacCohen is the most common variant, although other spelling variations, such as MacCohane or MacKohane, are not unheard of. Furthermore, MacKehane is a variant name found mainly in Ireland, where Jews migrating to Ireland during the 19th and early 20th centuries settled after first arriving to Scotland.

The surname is often spelled with a hyphen between the prefix and suffix, thus making it Mac-Cohen, Mac-Kohane, or Mac-Kehane.

At the end of the day, the same origin is shared: MacCohen and its other variants all stem from the original Hebrew name Cohen.

Famous people with the name MacCohen

• Richard MacCohen: an American television personality, best known as the host of the syndicated court show Judge MacCohen.
• Ryan MacCohen: is an American model and actor, and is also the frontman of the rock band Fabulous Thunderbirds.
• Dylan MacCohen: is an American composer, conductor, and vocalist, best known for his critically acclaimed musical scores for films such as Jurassic Park and Saving Private Ryan.
• Seth MacCohen: is an American actor, producer, and comedian. He is best known for his lead roles in the films The 40 Year Old Virgin and Knocked Up.
• Larry MacCohen: is a Canadian artist known for his realistic figure painting and landscapes.
• Hunter MacCohen: is an American voice actor who has provided voice work for numerous Disney animated films and shows, including The Lion King, Hercules, and Aladdin.
• Adam MacCohen: is an American film and television producer, best known for producing the films Jurassic World and The Hangover Part II, as well as the series Treehouse Masters.
• Alex MacCohen: is an American producer, director, and writer, most known for producing and directing the films Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan and The Hangover Part III.
• Michael MacCohen: is an American rapper and singer. He is best known for his single "Do You", which peaked at number 21 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
• Kate MacCohen: is an American singer and songwriter, best known for her hit single "Hold On" which topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1994.

Other surnames

MacCohan