Surname Kohnz - Meaning and Origin
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Kohnz: What does the surname Kohnz mean?
The last name Kohnz is of German origin. It is a relatively rare name, and it is believed to have originated in the area around Heidelberg, Germany. The name Kohnz translates to "council" or "advice-giving," indicating that it was likely first held by a person who offered counsel to local leaders.
The earliest evidence of the Kohnz name dates back to 1684, when Johann Kohnz was mentioned in a church record from Heidelberg. There are also records of later generations of Kohnz in various German villages, depending on when families moved.
Kohnz is an occupational surname, with those who held it traditionally belonging to the professional or educated classes. The surname likely began as a way for families to distinguish themselves from other groups, and various variations of the name, such as Kohn, Cohn, and Kohnert, have also been found throughout European records.
Today, the Kohnz name is found in Germany and other parts of Europe, as well as in the United States. Those who wear the Kohnz name can take pride in knowing that they are part of a long line of individuals who have contributed to their country or region in a meaningful way.
Order DNA origin analysisKohnz: Where does the name Kohnz come from?
The surname Kohnz is common across much of Europe, with the largest numbers of bearers found in Germany. It is also prevalent in the United States and many other countries, including Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and South Africa. In Germany, the name is primarily found in North Frisia, in the northernmost part of Schleswig-Holstein, and in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.
In the United States, Kohnz is primarily found in Pennsylvania and nearby states such as West Virginia, Ohio, and New Jersey. According to the Census Bureau, approximately 16,000 Kohnz bearers resided in the United States during the 2010 census—representing an increase of more than 6,400 since the 2000 census. Beyond the US, the name is especially common in Canada, with the highest concentrations found in the provinces of Ontario, British Columbia, and Saskatchewan.
Kohnz is also popular in Australia, with more than 3,500 bearers residing there as of the 2016 census. In New Zealand, it is the 869th most common surname and over 1,000 people bear it. The surname is found in South Africa, too, where it ranks as the 32,383rd most common surname.
Altogether, tens of thousands of people around the world bear the surname Kohnz today, indicating that the name is still very much alive and well.
Variations of the surname Kohnz
The surname Kohnz has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. The primary variant is Kohnz, which is a German-derived variant originating in the Middle Ages. Other variants include Kahnz, Kaunz, Kauns, Kohntz and Kauhn. It is also commonly found as a diminutive or shortened version, such as Konz, Konzel, Konzlemann, Konzen, Klein, Kluhn, and Kagi.
Kohnz is a relatively common surname in Germany, especially in the state of Saxony-Anhalt. German settlers also carried the name to America, primarily the Pennsylvania Dutch area in the 1800s. In the US, the spelling was typically Kuns and, less commonly, Kunsz, Kons, Kunz, and Konze.
Another common spelling of Kohnz is Koenig, which is derived from the German word for king. This spelling is especially prevalent in the Czech Republic, where it is often found spelled as Kůnig, Kůnich, Koenigová, and Konigvá. In Poland, the spelling is more commonly found as Konig, Konigová, and Konigova.
The French version of Kohnz is Coeurns or Coueurns, such as the variants found in the Alsace region. The Russian version is Konevskii, spelled Konevskiy, Konevskaya, and Konovskiy.
Kohnz is found in various forms in many countries across Europe and beyond, making it an enduringly popular surname with a greater number of variants than one might expect.
Famous people with the name Kohnz
- Michael Kohnz: German Paralympic swimmer and medallist at the 1980 Summer Paralympics.
- Dennis Kohnz: American football linebacker who played for teams in the Canadian Football League.
- Paul Kohnz: American professional boxer who fought between 1918 and 1922.
- Robert Kohnz: Canadian soccer player and manager who played during the 1950s.
- Richard Kohnz: American figure skater and five-time national champion that competed at the 1960 and 1964 Winter Olympics.
- Ernest Kohnz: American composer and arranger of choral music.
- Andrew Kohnz: American politician who served in the Michigan House of Representatives.
- Benjamin Kohnz: American inventor and manufacturer of agricultural implements and hay presses.
- André Kohnz: Brazilian Special Educational and cooperative psychologist.
- Reinhard Kohnz: West German sprint canoer who competed in the early 1960s.