Surname Coonen - Meaning and Origin

Coonen: What does the surname Coonen mean?

The last name Coonen is of Anglo-Saxon origin, derived from the Old English ‘cun’ meaning a "kindred" or a "tribe". Early records of the surname date back to 1235 when it was found in Sussex, England.

The Coonen family history is closely linked to the culture, lifestyle, and traditions of ancient Britain. During the Middle Ages, Britain enjoyed a period of relative stability and wealth, and the Coonens had the opportunity to become well-respected members of the various towns they lived in.

In Medieval England Anglo-Saxon surnames were often derived from place names or geographical features such as rivers, mountains, and forests. Coonen could be derived from a nearby river, or from a geographical feature in the area where the Coonens lived. In addition, Coonen could be derived from the surname Cune, which is an Old English for ‘konig,’ or ‘king.’

Another potential origin of the Coonen name is the Danish name "Konene," which means "brave,” indicating that the Coonen ancestors may have exhibited an impressive streak of courage.

The Coonen family has a long and proud history of achievements and accomplishments throughout the centuries. Today, the Coonens can be found living in various countries around the world, but still retain ties to their ancestral roots in Britain.

Coonen: Where does the name Coonen come from?

The last name Coonen is mainly found in the Netherlands, Belgium, and the German region of Nordrhein-Westfalen today. Some Coonen families may have had ancestral roots in France or other parts of Europe.

The last name “Coonen” is derived from konijn, the Dutch word for “rabbit”, and was probably first given as a nickname to someone associated with rabbits, such as an avid hunter, trader, breeder, or consumer. As surnames emerged in Europe, this name may have been adopted as an official family name.

As of 2019, the Coonen surname is the 16,908th most common name in the Netherlands, according to data from Geheugen van Nederland. In Belgium, the Coonen surname ranks 48,981st according to the Institute of Statistics’ 2020 Belgian census data. It is also fairly common in Germany, where 33,209 individuals share this surname in the state of Nordrhein-Westfalen.

Coonen families are scattered throughout Europe, with the majority residing in the historically Dutch-speaking northeast of the continent. A smaller population of Coonens also can be found in countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, as well as other areas of the world, due to emigration and global migration between nations.

Variations of the surname Coonen

The surname Coonen is of German origin and has various variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. It is a pet form of Konrad, a German name meaning "bold counsel".

The most common variants and spellings of Coonen are Konen, Koonen, Koenen, and Kohen. These variants can be found throughout Germany.

The surname Coonen may also be derived from the Middle High German term "coning," meaning "a youth of noble birth." This leads to the variants Cuning, Coonig, and Cunig, which are most common in southwestern Germany.

Other variants of Coonen that have different origins are Koontz, Kuntz, and Kohnz. Koontz is of German origin, derived from an old northern German word meaning "brave" or "bold." Kuntz is of Austrian origin and is derived from an old Middle High German word meaning "dog", and Kohnz is of Jewish origin, derived from the Hebrew term "kohen," meaning "priest."

In addition, originally distinct surnames may be similar to Coonen and sound like Coonen. These include Coan, Coen, Cohen, Cone, Coon, Cooney, Cunn, Koon, and Koonce.

Overall, the various variants, spellings, and surnames of Coonen offer a wide range of interpretations and origins, from pet forms of Conrad to variations of "counsel." No matter the origin, these spellings share a common root and are all forms of the same Germanic name.

Famous people with the name Coonen

• Elizabeth Coonen: a professional Makeup Artist in Los Angeles, California.
• David Coonen: an American author, public lecturer, and professor of History and Public Policy.
• Scott Coonen: an American early-stage entrepreneur, investor, and media mogul.
• Bob Coonen: a professional golfer who ranks among the top players of the PGA Senior Tour.
• Tom Coonen: a horse breeder and former Irish politician.
• Danny Coonen: a former member of the Los Angeles Lakers and 550 KLOS' The LA Sports Show Radio host.
• Robert Coonen: a mixed martial artist who fought in the heavyweight division of the UFC.
• Mark Coonen: the founder of WhyFly, a mobile network for people with disabilities.
• John Coonen: a former Kansas state senator and mayor of South Hutchinson, Kansas.
• Jamie Coonen: a model, actress, and singer who gained fame through her work with Marvel Comics.

Other surnames

Cooney