Show ContentsKouns History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Kouns is an abbreviated form of the name Konrad, inheriting the same meaning "bold adviser", or being "crafty." In Yiddish, the word is associated with a "clever trick."

Konrad is derived from the Middle High German word Kuonrat, popularly used in the Middle Ages and today is seen n the common idiom "Hinz and Kunz," meaning "absolutely everyone." [1]

Early Origins of the Kouns family

The surname Kouns was first found in Bohemia and Silesia, where the name was an integral part of the feudal society which would shape modern European history. Individual bearers of the name first mentioned in ancient chronicles include Cuntz der Kuentzel of Kempten (West of Frankfurt) who lived around 1382, and Cuncze von Cracow who lived in Liegnitz, Silesia in 1388. [1]

Early History of the Kouns family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Kouns research. Another 136 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1701, 1767, 1792, 1839 and 1894 are included under the topic Early Kouns History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Kouns Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Kunze, Kunz, Kunzel, Kuenz, Kuenze, Kuenzel, Cuntz, Kuntz, Kuntze, Kuntzel, Kuentz, Kunts, Kundt, Kuent, Kunth, Kunt, Kuhnt, Kuehnt, Kuntse, Kuntsel, Kunstler, Kuents, Kuentse, Cuncze and many more.

Early Notables of the Kouns family

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


United States Kouns migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Kouns Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Charles W. Kouns, aged 57, who arrived in New York in 1912 aboard the ship "Lusitania" from Liverpool, England [2]
  • Nellie Kouns, aged 29, who arrived in New York in 1919 aboard the ship "Carmania" from Liverpool, England [2]
  • Sara Kouns, aged 26, who arrived in New York in 1919 aboard the ship "Carmania" from Liverpool, England [2]

Contemporary Notables of the name Kouns (post 1700) +

  • Ike Kouns, American Democratic Party politician, Alternate Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Colorado, 1972 [3]
  • Jake Kouns, American co-founder and President of the Open Security Foundation


  1. Bahlow, Hans, Dictionary of German Names. translated by Edda Gentry, Wisconsin: The Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System, 2002. Print. (ISBN 0-924119-35-7)
  2. Ellis Island Search retrieved 15th November 2022. Retrieved from https://heritage.statueofliberty.org/passenger-result
  3. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2016, November 24) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html


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