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

Kosen, 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 Kosen surname is from the 2000 census data.

Popularity of Kosen in America

Kosen is the 135837th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Kosen surname appeared 114 times in the 2000 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Kosen.

The history of the last name Kosen

The surname Kosen is believed to have origins in Eastern Europe, particularly in areas that are now part of modern-day Ukraine and Poland. The etymology of Kosen suggests roots in Slavic languages, where it may be derived from the word "kos," which means "blackbird" in several Slavic tongues, or from "kos," meaning "scythe" or "reaping" in some dialects, indicating a possible connection to agriculture or the natural world. Historically, this surname was prevalent in rural areas where agriculture formed the backbone of society.

Records from the early medieval period are scarce, but one of the earliest mentions of a similar surname appears in Polish manuscripts from the 14th century. A document dated 1375 mentions a Jan Kosen, a farmer in a small village near Kraków. This suggests that the name was already well-established by this time. Over the centuries, various spellings evolved, such as Kossen, Kosa, and Koson, linked to regional dialects and changes in pronunciation.

In the 16th century, the surname Kosen appears in another historical reference in Ukraine. A notable figure, Dmitro Kosen, born in 1512 and died in 1590, served as an advisor in the court of a minor noble. Historical accounts describe him as a wise and influential man who played a role in local governance, highlighting that people with this surname could rise to significant positions despite their common origins.

Another historical figure with this surname was Klara Kosen, a renowned healer and herbalist, born in 1678 in what is now Western Ukraine. Her knowledge of natural remedies was sought after by many, transcending social and economic boundaries. Klara passed away in 1734, but her legacy was carried on by her descendants who continued her work in herbal medicine.

The name Kosen also appears in the records of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Jakob Kosen, born in 1811 and died in 1887, was a well-known blacksmith in a small village in Galicia, now part of modern Poland. He was respected for his craft and his ability to forge high-quality tools and weapons, which were essential to the local economy. His descendants maintained the smithy for several generations, contributing to the family's local prominence.

In the 19th century, the surname Kosen also made its way to America with waves of immigrants seeking better opportunities. Among them was Ivan Kosen, born in 1864, who emigrated from Ukraine to New York in 1887. He worked as a laborer and later became a successful businessman, embodying the American dream. Ivan's story is emblematic of many immigrants who carried their heritage with them while building new lives abroad.

The surname Kosen carries a rich history that spans centuries and continents. From its humble origins in Eastern Europe, it has connected individuals through shared heritage and diverse achievements. Through the examination of historical records and notable individuals, the legacy of the Kosen name continues to be a testament to resilience and adaptability.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Kosen

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

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 2000 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Kosen 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.

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 Kosen was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!