Show ContentsCahoon History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Cahoon is a name that dates back to the kingdom of Dalriada in ancient Scotland. It was given to someone who lived in the former Aberdeenshire, derived from the Gaelic còil or cùil, which means "nook" or "corner." Colquhoun is properly pronounced "Ko-hoon."

Early Origins of the Cahoon family

The surname Cahoon was first found in Angus (Gaelic: Aonghas), part of the Tayside region of northeastern Scotland, and present day Council Area of Angus, formerly known as Forfar or Forfarshire where they held a seat at Luss and possessed vast manors and elegant estates. Although not formally recognized before the 11th century (the Clan system was not developed until the reign of King Malcolm Ceanmore and his second wife, Margaret) this Clan has a unified history that may well precede that time. It is believed that they occupied this area well before the Norman Conquest and the arrival of Duke William at Hastings in 1066 AD. According to Clan tradition, the Calhoun Clan is descended from an early Celtic priest named St. Kessog who lived in Glen Luss, the Monks' Isle in Loch Lomond.

Early History of the Cahoon family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Cahoon research. Another 255 words (18 lines of text) covering the years 1200, 1241, 1602, 1715 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Cahoon History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Cahoon Spelling Variations

Spelling in the medieval era was a highly imprecise process. Translation, particularly from Gaelic to English, was little better. For these reasons, early Scottish names are rife with spelling variations. In various documents Cahoon has been spelled Colquhoun, Colhoun, Colhoon, Cahoun, Cohoun, Cahoon, Cohoon, Culquhoun, Cahune, Cohune, Cowquhone, Colquhone, Culquhown, Cahoone, Calhoun, Kalhoun, Kulhoun, Kolhoun, Calhoon, Calloon, Culloone, Collune and many more.

Early Notables of the Cahoon family

More information is included under the topic Early Cahoon Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Cahoon Ranking

In the United States, the name Cahoon is the 6,611st most popular surname with an estimated 4,974 people with that name. 1

Migration of the Cahoon family to Ireland

Some of the Cahoon family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 109 words (8 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Cahoon migration to the United States +

Many of the ancestors of Dalriadan families who arrived in North America still live in communities along the east coast of Canada and the United States. In the American War of Independence many of the original settlers traveled north to Canada as United Empire Loyalists. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries the ancestors of many Scots began recovering their collective national heritage through Clan societies, highland games, and other patriotic events. Research into the origins of individual families in North America revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name Cahoon or a variant listed above:

Cahoon Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Hugh Cahoon, who arrived in America in 1783 2
Cahoon Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Robert Cahoon, aged 26, who landed in New York in 1812 2

Cahoon migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Cahoon Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • Daniel Cahoon, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1760

Contemporary Notables of the name Cahoon (post 1700) +

  • Tiny Cahoon (1900-1973), American player in the National Football League
  • Lauren Cahoon (b. 1985), American Olympic-style Taekwondo martial artist
  • William Cahoon (1774-1833), United States politician
  • Frank Kell Cahoon (b. 1934), American oil man and natural gas entrepreneur
  • Reynolds Cahoon (1790-1861), American early leader in Latter Day Saint movement
  • Martha Cahoon (1905-1999), the American wife and artistic and business partner of Ralph Eugene Cahoon
  • Todd Cahoon (b. 1973), American actor
  • Ralph Eugene Cahoon Jr. (1910-1982), American artist and furniture decorator
  • Kevin Cahoon, American actor, singer and songwriter
  • Ben Cahoon (b. 1972), former professional Canadian football slotback


The Cahoon Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Si je puis
Motto Translation: If I can


  1. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  2. 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)


Houseofnames.com on Facebook