Why do people think I'm Jewish just because my last name is Cohen?

Question

Many people have thought I was Jewish because my last name is Cohen. I think this is funny, not everyone with a German last name is Jewish. I think it's probablly a combination of living in the New York metro area and having a German name. Any thoughts?

Answer 1

Do some genealogy. You have a very interesting background!
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Answer 2

Actually the word "Cohen" is a Hebrew word that means "priest". The kohanim, even nowadays are the direct descendants of Aaron, Moses brother and the first priest of Israel.
So your name IS Jewish, and definitely not German, who told you "Cohen" was a German name? It's completely Hebrew. Maybe you should do a background check on your family. You probably have Jewish great grandparents that converted during WWII, or even before that.

Answer 3

Cohen is not a German last name. It is the hebrew word for "priest" and was likely adopted by people who were Cohens (i.e. they are descended from Aaron, brother of Moses).

Now, I know several non Cohens with the surname of Cohen but you are the first non Jew I've heard of with that surname. That is not impossible as it is likely you have a Jewish ancestor.

I knew a person with the last name of Klein who was not Jewish and that is a very common Jewish last name. My own last name is very Jewish but there are a few non Jews with it as well (and mine is Germanic in origin).

Answer 4

Goldstein is a German name. Schwartz is a German name. Sternberg is a German name. But Cohen is Hebrew all the way.
"Kohen" literally means the Biblical priestly class. Kohanim are descended from Moses's brother Aaron, and officiated in the Holy Temple. The vast majority of people named Cohen are not only Jews, they're Jews from a certain tribe and lineage.
Even though you're not a Jew yourself, you're probably descended from Jews. Since Judaism is passed down through the mother, but surnames are passed down through the father, your ancestors were probably a Jewish man and a gentile woman.

Answer 5

Cohen is a jewish name
The German name is usually "Kohn" .
Other German surnames which sound Jewish are Glikman, Friedman, and Vogel
Send them to Whoopie Goldberg or Morgan frieman

Answer 6

Cohen is not a German name, it is actually a Jewish name which means "Priest" and those with the name are direct decedents of Aaron, Moses brother.

Answer 7

If people think you are Jewish, consider it to be what it is, a compliment. Many of the great minds and artists of our time, thinkers, scientists, philosophers, writers, actors, directors, inventors, were, or are, Jewish. I am not Jewish...well, no, whenever I encounter an anti-Semite, I am Jewish.

Answer 8

Cohen is an old Jewish name.Not German.Check your family tree.

Answer 9

it's like seth cohen in the o.c! he's jewish. lol