Show ContentsKohn History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

A multitude of prestigious family names, such as the surname Kohn, were formed in the lands which became the modern German state of Prussia, known for its beauty, industry and military power. The name originated as a short form of the personal name Konrad, an Old German emperor's name.

Early Origins of the Kohn family

The surname Kohn was first found in West Prussia, where the family emerged in mediaeval times as one of the notable families of the region. From the 13th century the surname was identified with the great social and economic evolution which made this territory a landmark contributor to the development of the nation. The name originated as a short form of Konrad, an Old German emperor's name.

Early History of the Kohn family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Kohn research. Another 189 words (14 lines of text) covering the years 1554, 1806, 1837, 1842 and 1869 are included under the topic Early Kohn History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Kohn Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Cohen, Cohn, Coehn, Coen, Kohen, Kohn, Koehn, Koehne, Cone, Kone, Koehnle, Coehnle, Coen, Koen, Coene, Koene, Coener, Koener, Coehner and many more.

Early Notables of the Kohn family

Notable figures of the period with the name Kohn were members of the Koehn von Jaski family, who distinguished themselves in politics and military services. One Koehn von Jaski, the Lord of Wittichwalde, became the director of regional affairs (Landes-Director) and regional advisor for the district of Mohrungen in 1806, while...
Another 50 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Kohn Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Kohn Ranking

In the United States, the name Kohn is the 4,305th most popular surname with an estimated 7,461 people with that name. 1 However, in France, the name Kohn is ranked the 7,002nd most popular surname with an estimated 1,000 - 1,500 people with that name. 2


United States Kohn migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Kohn Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Joanis Kohn, aged 30, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1738 3
  • Henrich Kohn, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1753 3
  • Adam Kohn, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1762 3
  • George Kohn, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1765 3
  • A H Kohn, who landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1794 3
Kohn Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Levy Kohn, who landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1804 3
  • Joseph Kohn, aged 41, who arrived in Missouri in 1840 3
  • Erdmann Friedrich Kohn, aged 27, who landed in America in 1844 3
  • Miss Elisab. Kohn, aged 18, who arrived in New Orleans in 1845 aboard the ship "Agnes"
  • Johann Friedrich Kohn, aged 42, who landed in America in 1846 3
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Australia Kohn migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Kohn Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • J.S. Kohn, a clerk, who arrived in South Australia in 1848 aboard the ship "Victoria" 4

New Zealand Kohn migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Kohn Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Miss Mary Kohn, (b. 1858), aged 4 months, German settler from German y travelling from London aboard the ship "Strathallan" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 21st January 1859 5
  • Mr. Frederick Kohn, (b. 1827), aged 31, German farm labourer from German y travelling from London aboard the ship "Strathallan" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 21st January 1859 5
  • Mrs. Cathe Kohn, (b. 1830), aged 28, German settler from German y travelling from London aboard the ship "Strathallan" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 21st January 1859 5

Contemporary Notables of the name Kohn (post 1700) +

  • Dan Kohn (1972-2020), American serial entrepreneur and nonprofit executive, founder of NetMarket
  • Walter Kohn (b. 1923), distinguished American (German born) Professor of Physics
  • Eugene Kohn (1887-1977), American rabbi
  • Alfie Kohn, American lecturer and author
  • Isar T. Kohn, American politician, Candidate for U.S. Representative from Indiana 13th District, 1910 6
  • Herman F. Kohn, American politician, Candidate for New York State Assembly from Erie County 2nd District, 1930 6
  • Henry H. Kohn, American Republican politician, Delegate to Republican National Convention from Illinois, 1908, 1916 (alternate), 1936 (alternate); Member of Illinois Republican State Central Committee, 1919 6
  • Helen Kohn, American Democratic Party politician, Alternate Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Pennsylvania, 1972 6
  • George A. Kohn (1885-1963), American Republican politician, Member of Michigan State House of Representatives from Montcalm County, 1950-54 6
  • Clarence Kohn, American Democratic Party politician, Alternate Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Ohio, 1916 6
  • ... (Another 19 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Bismarck
  • Walter Köhn (1920-1941), German Matrosenobergefreiter who served aboard the German Battleship Bismarck during World War II when it was sunk heading to France; he died in the sinking 7


  1. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  2. http://www.journaldesfemmes.com/nom-de-famille/nom/
  3. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
  4. State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) VICTORIA 1848. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1848Victoria.htm
  5. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  6. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, November 9) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
  7. Bismarck & Tirpitz Class - Crew List Bismarck. (Retrieved 2018, February 06). Retrieved from https://www.bismarck-class.dk/bismarck/crew/bismarck_crew.html#crew_details


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