Surname Kauhanen - Meaning and Origin
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Kauhanen: What does the surname Kauhanen mean?
The last name Kauhanen is a patronymic surname of Finnish origin, derived from the first name Kauha. Patronymic surnames were formed by taking the first name of the father and adding the suffix –nen to the end of it. This is why many patronymic surnames in Finland end with -nen.
The personal name Kauha is of uncertain origin and debate in the scholarly world exists as to its possible etymology. Some theories suggest an origin from the old Finnish name Kauhaka which means ‘daemon’, ‘evil spirit’ or ‘evil wizard’. Alternatively, it may be derived from the old Norse word kauja, meaning ‘merriment’ or ‘playful fun’.
Kauhanen is a relatively common surname in Finland, particularly in the south-western parts of the country. Many different spellings of the surname exist throughout the ages. Examples include Kauranen, Kauhanen, Kauhanin, Kauhaninne, Kauhaninen, Kauhaninne, Kauharin, Kauharanta, Kauharian, Kauharkin and Kauharinne.
Regardless of the exact origin of the surname Kauhanen, most people who carry this last name today are descendants of ancient Finnish people, perhaps hunting and fishing tribes that lived in the region for centuries. These people were strong, and tough and had a deep spiritual connection to nature, so their legacy lives on today through the name Kauhanen.
Order DNA origin analysisKauhanen: Where does the name Kauhanen come from?
The last name Kauhanen is most commonly found in Finland and other Nordic countries. As of December 2019, according to MyHeritage, the last name Kauhanen had over 4500 individuals living in Finland, making it the 1045th most common Finnish name. Additionally, according to Forebears, there were over 850 people living in Norway with the name Kauhanen. The name is also found in Sweden where there are over 720 people with the name.
The name Kauhanen appears to have originated in Finland. It is composed of two common Finnish words, "kauhanen" and "en". Both words mean "one who wields or carries a tool". Therefore, the name Kauhanen could be translated as "one who carries a tool".
The Kauhanen family name is believed to have originally referred to someone who worked in a trade involving a tool. It's likely that the Kauhanen family name derived from a specific occupation such as the building trade or metalworking. In the past, many people assumed surnames based on their profession, as this was the simplest way to identify someone.
Today, the Kauhanen family name is still quite common in Finland and other Scandinavian countries. Though many individuals with the Kauhanen family name are still involved in trades that involve tools, they have since branched out into other industries as well.
Variations of the surname Kauhanen
Variants of the surname Kauhanen (pronounced: cow-hawn-un) include: Kauhanen, Kauhane, Kauhanne, Kahane, Kahonen, Kahonne, Kouhanen, Kouhaane, Kouhanne, Kouhane, Kohane, Koahane, Koahanne, and Cohane.
Kauhanen is a Finnish surname originating mainly from the Central Finland region of the country, although it can also be found in Lapland and in Northern Finland. Some families with the surname were even found in Sweden during the 17th and 18th centuries when Finns emigrated there in search of work.
The roots of the name Kauhanen come from the Finnish word “kauhana”, derived from the old Finnish word “kauha”, meaning "axe". The literal translation of the name means “the one with the axe”. Legends claim the name originated from a family who were successful axe makers, and others suggest it refers to a family member who frequently carried an axe when travelling.
In Lapland, this same surname is often spelled as “Káhánen”, as the double letter “h” in the Finnish alphabet is “k” in the Swedish alphabet. In the United States, immigrants often Americised their names; thus, Kauhanen is often spelled as Kohane, Co(u)hane, Cohane or Kauhane.
In addition, the surname branches off into a variety of spellings and alternative surnames due to regional accents and usage of nicknames. Spelling variants of “Kauhanen” include: Kauhane, Kahonen, Kouhanen, Kouhane, Kohane, Koahane, and Co(u)hane. Variations of “Kahonen” include Kahonne, Kouhane, Kouhanne and Koahanne. The word “Kauhanen” may also be used as a first name, with Kauhanen being a popular name in Finland.
Famous people with the name Kauhanen
- Kalle Kauhanen: Finnish musician, rapper and producer
- Santeri Kauhanen: Finnish professional football player
- Terhi Kauhanen: Finnish artist, author and art teacher
- Artturi Kauhanen: Finnish medical doctor and researcher
- Trifon Kauhanen: Finnish musician, singer and songwriter
- Iida Kauhanen: Finnish actor and singer
- Tommi Kauhanen: Finnish professional golfer
- Mihail Kauhanen: Russian actor
- Sari Kauhanen: Finnish professional skier
- Atte Kauhanen: Finnish television host and presenter