Cohen

[citation needed] Many Jewish immigrants entering the United States or United Kingdom changed their name from Cohen to Cowan (sometimes spelled "Cowen"), as Cowan was a Scottish name.

[4] Bearing the surname often (although not always) indicates that one's patrilineal ancestors were priests in the Temple of Jerusalem.

Some Kohanim have added a secondary appellation to their surname, so as to distinguish themselves from other Kohanim—such as Cohen-Scali of Morocco, who trace their lineage to Zadok,[6] and Cohen-Maghari (Meguri) of Yemen, who trace their lineage to Jehoiarib, one of the priestly divisions.

[7] Nor should an observant Kohen come into contact with the dead[8] or enter a cemetery unless for the death of a close relative.

An effort to test whether people named 'Cohen' actually have a common genetic origin has been undertaken, using a genealogical DNA test associated with the Cohen Modal Haplotype (see Y-chromosomal Aaron).