Find out how popular the last name Cosen is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Cosen.

Cosen, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Cosen surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Cosen in America

Cosen is the 115639th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Cosen surname appeared 151 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Cosen.

We can also compare 2010 data for Cosen to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Cosen

The surname Cosen has its origins in England, with the earliest recorded instances dating back to the 13th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "cosen," which means "to choose" or "to select." The name was likely initially given as a nickname to an individual who was known for their discerning or selective nature.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Cosen can be found in the Hundred Rolls of 1273, where a person named Walter Cosen is mentioned. This ancient document was a survey of landowners in England, commissioned by King Edward I.

The Cosen surname also appears in various medieval records and manuscripts, such as the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire from 1327, which lists a John Cosen. Additionally, the Court Rolls of the Manor of Wakefield from 1348 mention a William Cosen.

During the 14th century, the name Cosen was particularly prevalent in the counties of Worcestershire and Yorkshire. Some early bearers of the name include Thomas Cosen, born in 1392 in Walsall, Staffordshire, and Richard Cosen, born in 1418 in Skipton, Yorkshire.

In the 16th century, the surname Cosen was sometimes spelled as "Cozen," as evidenced by the records of Christopher Cozen, born in 1532 in Middlesex. This variation likely arose due to regional dialects and pronunciation differences.

One notable historical figure with the surname Cosen was John Cosen, born in 1592 in Cambridgeshire. He was a renowned clergyman and academic who served as the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cambridge from 1638 to 1639.

Another individual of note was William Cosen, born in 1623 in Gloucestershire. He was a prominent merchant and landowner who played a significant role in the local community.

During the 17th century, the Cosen surname also appeared in various parish records and legal documents across England. For example, the marriage of Thomas Cosen and Elizabeth Smith was recorded in the parish registers of St. Martin's Church in Birmingham in 1674.

In the 18th century, the name Cosen continued to be found in various parts of England, with a concentration in the counties of Worcestershire, Yorkshire, and Gloucestershire. Notable individuals from this period include Samuel Cosen, born in 1712 in Worcester, who was a successful businessman and philanthropist.

Throughout its history, the Cosen surname has maintained a strong presence in England, with its origins rooted in the Old English language and its association with discernment and selectivity. While variations in spelling emerged over time, the name has endured as a testament to the rich tapestry of English surnames and their fascinating etymological origins.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Cosen

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Cosen.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Cosen was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Cosen has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Cosen was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Cosen, please contact us.

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