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Surname Cousin - Meaning and Origin

all surnames with 'C'

Unveiling the Origin & History of My Surname 'Cousin' through iGENEA DNA Analysis

Embarking on a journey with iGENEA DNA analysis was like unfolding the vivid chapters of my family history. I discovered the French origin of my surname 'Cousin,' revealing the migration and adaptation patterns of my ancestors. This DNA analysis has enhanced my understanding of my ancestry and personal identity.

Q. Cousin

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Cousin: What does the surname Cousin mean?

The surname Cousin has French origins and is derived from the Latin term "consobrinus" which translates to "brother". However, in this context, it was typically used as a nickname during the Middle Ages in France to refer to a relative or someone who was like a family member. It was also used to refer to someone who was favored like a family relative. It might also have been used to describe someone who was employed in a household and was treated like a family member. The variants of this surname are Cousins, Couzins, Cossins, Cosin, Cosyn, and others. Therefore, the surname Cousin is not necessarily indicative of a familial relationship, but a term of closeness or endearment.

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Cousin: Where does the name Cousin come from?

The surname Cousin originates from France, deriving from the Old French word "cousin," given as a nickname to someone related by blood; an extended family member. In the Middle English period, this term was also used more generally to refer to any relative. The name gained popularity during the Middle Ages and many people were named 'Cousin' as a result.

The surname Cousin made its way to England following the Norman Conquest in the 11th century. The French Huguenots, fleeing from religious persecution in France in the late 17th century, also brought the surname to England.

Today, Cousin is still a common surname in France. It's also prevalent in English-speaking countries to which many French people emigrated over the centuries, such as the United States, Canada, and United Kingdom. According to Forebears, the name is most common today in France, followed by the United States.

Variations of the surname Cousin

The surname Cousin can be found in various forms due to geographical distributions, pronunciation differences, and regional dialect influences. Some of the variants and alternative spellings can include Cousins, Cousens, Couzens, Couzins, Cozens, Cosin, Cosyn, and Cosyns.

The surname has English, French, and Dutch origins. In French-speaking regions, the surname is also found as Le Cousin, Les Cousins, Couzin, or Cousineau.

In England, this surname was quite often spelled phonetically, so it has appeared in various forms n different historical documents. The variations such as Cosin, Cosyn, Cosins, and Cosyns are found in old English records.

Additionally, it's important to note that translations of the word "cousin" into different languages could also produce variants of the surname in those regions. For example, in Spanish-speaking families, the surname could be Primo or Primos, which are translations of the word "cousin".

There are also related surnames which might have evolved from Cousin or vice versa, for example, Cossins or Gosling (a diminutive form of Gos which is from the Yiddish equivalent to Cousin).

However, as with any surname, its exact variants and origins can often only be determined through specific genealogical research.

Famous people with the name Cousin

  • Jean-Baptiste Cousin de Grainville: A French writer famous for his post-apocalyptic novel "Le Dernier Homme".
  • Victor Cousin: A French philosopher, educational reformer, and a historian of philosophy.
  • Harry Cousin: An American actor known for his role in the film "Brothers".
  • Albertine Demonet-Cousin: A French poet and translator.
  • Anne-Marie Cousin: A French politician member of the National Assembly.
  • Pierre-Antoine Cousin: A French politician.
  • Dave Cousin: Famous British rock musician and founder of the band 'The Strawbs'.
  • DeMarcus Cousins: An American professional basketball player, currently signed with the Los Angeles Clippers of the NBA.
  • Patrick Cousin: A former French footballer.
  • Jimmy Cousin: A former Scottish footballer.
  • Rebecca Jeanne Cousin: An American actress and producer.
  • Yvan Cousin: A French professional golfer.
  • Paul Cousin: A French screenwriter.
  • Tim Cousin: An American news reporter and anchor for ABC News 4 in Charleston, South Carolina.
  • Samuel Cousin: A French chess player.
  • Albert Cousin: A French cyclist who competed in the individual road race at the 1920 Summer Olympics.

Other surnames

Cousins

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