Surname Cone - Meaning and Origin
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Unearthing My Ancestral Origins Through iGENEA DNA Test: A Journey into the History of the Cone Surname
The iGENEA DNA test that I undertook recently has shone intriguing light on my diverse ancestry linked to the surname Cone. This scientifically-backed probe into my genealogy unveiled a compelling story of migration, cultural fusion, and ancient societies, traced back to the Dark Ages and even beyond, across the British Isles, the Viking lands, the Basque region, and Southern France.
O. Cone
read moreCone: What does the surname Cone mean?
The surname Cone is of English origin and is derived from the Old English 'Cunn', meaning a rabbit. It is considered to be a topographic name for someone who lived in a place frequented by rabbits or hares, or a nickname for a timid or frightened person. The surname could as well be derived from the Middle English 'cone', 'conne’, meaning a container, basket, possibly a term of abuse for a peddler. It could also be a metonymic occupational name for a maker of such baskets.
There are several variations of this surname including Coan, Cohen, Cohn, Conn, and Kohn. Today, people with the surname Cone can be found in many English-speaking countries, including the United States, Canada, England, and Australia. Over centuries, the meaning of surnames like Cone has evolved and may not reflect the current professional or geographic distribution of people with the surname.
Order DNA origin analysisCone: Where does the name Cone come from?
The surname Cone is of English origin and is derived from an Old English term "cunn," meaning rabbit. In medieval England, it was used as a nickname for a timorous, frightened, or harmless individual, reflecting the characteristics of a rabbit. Cone could also be a habitational name from a locale named with the same word, like Coney Island. Other theories suggest that the name may have been used for someone who made or sold rabbit-skins, or who kept a rabbit warren.
Please note that popular etymology often connects the name to "cone" in the sense of a tapering object, but this is a modern English word, not found before the 16th century, and thus not likely to have been a source of medieval surnames.
The surname Cone, today, is most common in the United States, according to the distribution data from Forebears. Within the U.S., it's most prevalent in the states of North Carolina and California. Nonetheless, it's still relatively rare, not falling within the top few thousand most common last names. Other countries with a notable frequency of this surname include Australia and England.
Variations of the surname Cone
The surname Cone might have multiple variations, spellings, and related surnames based on its origin and cultural modifications over centuries. Variations of this name could include Coen, Cohen, Cone, Kohn, and Koehn among others.
The name Cone is thought to have first been used by the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain, implying it may have descended from someone who had worked making cones for a variety of purposes.
Alternatively, the surname Cone might have been derived from the personal name Conan, which means "exalted" or "high" in Gaelic. In this case, variations might include Conan, Conon, and Conant.
The Cohen variant and others like Kohen, Cohn, or Kahane are of Jewish origin. They are an occupational name for a priest, derived from the Hebrew kohen, the name for the ancient Jewish priesthood.
The variant Coen is also found in Ireland as an Anglicized form of the Gaelic name Ó Comhdhain meaning "descendant of Comhdan”, and is widely spread in County Mayo and County Sligo.
In summary, the possible variations and equivalent surnames for Cone depend on ethnicity, geographical area, and historical period.
Famous people with the name Cone
- Fred Cone: He is a former American football player particularly known for his roles in Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys.
- Jeff Cone: Known as a professional baseball player, Jeff primarily played as a pitcher for various Major League Baseball teams.
- James H. Cone: An American theologian, he is best remembered for his advocacy of Black theology and Black Liberation Theology.
- David Cone: An American former Major League Baseball player, David was best known as a pitcher for teams such as the New York Yankees and the New York Mets.
- Claribel Cone: Claribel was an American physician known for amassing a significant collection of modern French art along with her sister, Etta Cone.
- Etta Cone: Like her sister Claribel, Etta also amassed a significant collection of modern French art.
- Emil Cone: Emil is a German mathematician known for his work in applied mathematics, particularly in the field of optimization theory.
- Kevin Cone: A former American football player, Kevin previously played for the National Football League.
- Jason "Cone" McCaslin: Known as simply Cone, he is the bass guitarist and backing vocalist for the Canadian rock band, Sum 41.