Cohoon

The surname Cohoon is an anglicized form of the Gaelic Mac Comhghain, meaning 'son of Comhghan'. Comhghan is an old personal name derived from the elements 'comh' (meaning 'together' or 'with') and 'gan' (meaning 'born'). The name originated in Scotland, particularly in the Highlands, and is associated with Clan MacCowan or MacGowan. Over time, as families migrated, the spelling evolved into various forms, including Cohoon.

The name's history is deeply rooted in the clan system of Scotland. Clans were kinship groups that held territories and had a strong sense of identity. The MacGowans were often associated with smithing, as 'gobha' is the Gaelic word for smith, leading to some interpretations linking the name to this profession, though the primary etymology points to the personal name Comhghan. The anglicization process often involved phonetic approximations by English speakers, leading to the diverse spellings seen today.