Surname Kocanda - Meaning and Origin
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Kocanda: What does the surname Kocanda mean?
The last name Kocanda is of Polish origin and is derived from the Old Polish word "kocan," which means "forester, gamekeeper, woodman." The root word Kocan is thought to come from the Slavic word "kuka," which is a reference to a specific type of guard or watchdog.
The name Kocanda is quite common in Poland and is often found among regions that had large forests or woodlands in past centuries. People who made livings as foresters, gamekeepers, woodcutters and charcoal burners have used this name for generations. Culture and tradition suggest that members of the family were guardians of their lands and forests.
The surname Kocanda is also found among other Slavic peoples in countries such as Ukraine, Belorus, and Russia. It is carried by various notable figures such as Piotr Kocanda, a former president of Poland and journalist; Michael Kocanda, an American and former National security advisor; and Marzena Kocanda, a Polish IFBB professional bodybuilder.
In short, the surname Kocanda is steeped in a history of protecting lands and forests, and many aspects of its cultural heritage still live on today.
Order DNA origin analysisKocanda: Where does the name Kocanda come from?
The last name Kocanda is found today primarily in Central and Eastern Europe and can be seen in countries such as Poland, Czech Republic and Slovakia, where it is found in the highest concentrations. This surname originated in Poland during the Middle Ages, when it appeared as a variant of the name Koczanski. It gained popularity due to its usage by the Kocanda family, who rose to prominence in Poland during the 15th century.
The surname Kocanda can also be found in the United States. Immigration of families with the name Kocanda began in the late 19th century; as of 2020, the highest concentrations of the Kocanda last name are in the large metropolitan areas of Illinois, Pennsylvania, and California. Interestingly, the United States Census (2010) records that the surname Kocanda is more common among individuals of African descent than of European descent, indicating that some African Americans have adopted the last name from their European ancestors.
Today, the Kocanda surname is increasingly found across the world, including countries such as the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Mexico, and Brazil. It is often spelled as Koczansk, Kocanka, Konczak, or Koczanda in various countries. The overall prevalence of individuals bearing the Kocanda last name outside of Central and Eastern Europe is small, although its presence continues to expand as the world continues to become a much more connected place.
Variations of the surname Kocanda
The surname Kocanda is a Czech-Slavic surname, with various spellings and variants stemming from the family’s original roots. The most common variation of the surname is Kocándová, which is the female form of the name. It is traditionally pronounced as ‘ko-chund-ova’. Other variations of the name include Kocanda, Kocande, Kocánd, Kocat, Kocatl, and Kocanē.
In addition to the various spellings and variants, the family name also has several surnames of the same origin. These include Koranda, Kudlik, Kucera, Kvapil, Kysurek, and Kocourek.
Kocanda is also known in some parts of the Czech Republic as Kocourek, which is a slightly more common variation in some regions. It is usually pronounced in this variation as ‘ko-chu-rek’.
The surname Kocanda and its various spellings and variants have spread across the Czech Republic and have been found in Central Europe since at least the Middle Ages. Some members of the Kocanda family have also been found in the United States, Australia, and other countries around the world.
The many variations of the surname Kocanda demonstrate the diverse family histories and cultural heritage of the Czech Republic. The variations and commonalities of the surname all share an origin in Czech-Slavic roots, and the variety is reflective of centuries of migration and immigration across the Czech region.
Famous people with the name Kocanda
- Ernst Kocanda: Austrian painter and graphic artist
- Charles Kocanda: former president of Končar Electrical Industry
- Arselan Kocanda: Turkish footballer
- Maksym Kocanda: Ukrainian cartoonist
- Amadin Kocanda: former Secretary of State for Energy of Equatorial Guinea
- Ouedraogo Kocanda: retired Burkina Faso footballer
- Osman Kocanda: YouTuber and rapper from Austria
- Segun Kocanda: photographer and filmmaker
- Zlatica Kocanda: Serbian journalist
- Djamil Kocanda: Algerian swimmer
- Nancy Kocanda: actress and model