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| The Kohnhorst
Name The following information was translated from the "The Kohnhorst Family" book prepared by Arnold Kohnhorst, Lengerich (Westfalen) Germany, June 24, 1949 THE KOHNHORST FAMILY NAME In researching a family or estate one of the first question is where does the name come from and what does it mean. This is also the case with the name KOHNHORST. To be correct I have contacted Prof. Dr. Baader, Melle, to point me in the correct direction. Scientific testimonial of the history of the name "KOHNHORST : 1149 CODENHORST' It has in the past been assumed that the family name is connected to the Gothic line-age "kunja" , however this is as unlikely as the believe that it is connected to the Middle High German "KUONI" (daring), because the oldest version of the name is CODEN-HORST and not Con-horst. The suspected connection by H.Jellinghaus of the word "Kotte" (pig) pronounced "kodde" in the Osnabrueck-Tecklenburg dialekt, is also very unlikely as it is not identical with the old Saxonian "Kotta" (pig) from the Middle High German word Kotze, stemming from old Germanic –tz- and goes back to –tt- and not –d-. The historical name form Codenhorst (1149) derived originally from the old Saxonian CODON or CODAN, because this name is from an n-lieage it is most likely part of a first name "Codo" (old Saxonian) and is a parallel name to, for example, Grafenhorst, which translates to Hurst of Counts. What exactly does Codo stand for? If we had this answer then all the vails that lay on the family name could be lifted. The word Kodo, Kudo or Codo,Cudo (also contained in the township Melle, Region Wellingholzhausen) belongs to Low German Koden (Dutch Kossem = chin) perhaps related to the Gothic quipus = belly, stomach. Persons were often called by a personal characteristic such as a big belly or a protruding belly, this was meant in a jest, fun way. Now to the root word Horst, the explanation of Kodenhorst (Kohnhorst) can only mean: "Horst of Kodo", in Lower German "Horst ", in Anglo Saxon "Hyrst, in New English "Hurst". The word translates from all this languages to: hill, thicket, shrubbery, and derives from an old word meaning "fenced in" as in a field, meadow or garden, etc. The word Horst is in its origin a fenced in pasture located at a higher elevated ground of the farm. In its origin Kodenhorst, Codenhorst exclusively described a specific area of the estate where a farmer owned and raised pigs and was named "Kodo". It was common in those days that the farm or estate was called by the first or calling name of the owner, and often the name became the family (last) name later. According to documents the name remained so into the 16th Century since there is mention of a Bernt zur Coenhorst in 1588 and 1590, the oe stands for a long o. The name has remained a family name from the early 17th Century on until the present. Most records, especially the ones in Latin with a certain Udo de Cudenhorst, Goswinus de Codenhorst etc. indicate that the name was rather well known before the 16th Century as well. Addendum : Linguistic explanation plus the two paragraphs on page 23 are written by the linguist Dr.Baader, who studied the name in detail. He explains the use of certain letters and words from the old Germanic as well as their meaning. It is difficult to translate into English since some words are in dialect and the sound of the word gives a change to its meaning. At the end Dr. Baader hopes that the Family will be satisfied with his research on the name Kohnhorst. He allows the family to use the information he has acquired and to add it to its family chronicle. From the above expert opinion we gather that a district in the name Kohnhorst existed, that it was owned by a man named Codo, and that he had certain rights. That Codon is an old Saxonian word characteristic of the time before the 8th Century, meaning before the Franconians came to this region. In looking at the location it may also mean "Noble-estate" or farm. This assumption is not all wrong when you realize that most farms existed around Esche, or near villages. The "Edelhof" (Noble-farm) was rather secluded. It appears that the Kohnhorst Estate enjoyed a high post in the old Saxonian times. We also learn from the expert opinion that the name Kohnhorst derived from Horst de Codes. This name has remained on the farm over several hundred years. Although memories of the person Codo are fading, the name has transferred to the farm (or property). As a result of that we do not have documentation until 1217 when the name shows up as a region and not as a personal name. The word Horst (shrub, bush) makes sense. When one walks across the grounds it feels like walking on an island, bordered by deep creeks on the northern border as well as to the East. During the naming of this estate, there was still a large forest present, the proof is in the fertile soil. Verifications located to prove the use of our name: Anno 1149 This is the year of the first mention of the name Kohnhorst (Codenhorst) in a document from Bishop Phillip of Osnabrueck's, where he states that due to a conflict ( argument) between the Canon Ernst of Muenster who is invested with the estate and chapel Ladbergen and the Vicar Heinrich von Lengerich, at the request of Muenster's Bishop Werner, that he was ordered to transfer the district Codenhorst and Hoelter to the Diocese Ladberge. Osnabrueck, Public Record Office, Volume1, NR.279 Original document, archives at Osnabrueck Cathedral. The original seal attached to the bottom of the document has fallen off. Et petitione etc. Latin?!
Anno 1170 Bishop Phillip confirms the
decision made in 1149 regarding Anno 1217
April 20th at Iburg. Anno 1265
Aug. 2nd at Wolbeck. Anno
1270 Anno 1277
Anno
1350 – 1366
Anno 1395
Oktober 11th, at Bocholt. |
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| My Family Page | The Kohnhorst Family of Nordhorn | |
| The Kohnhorst Property in Germany | ||
| The Kohnhorst Name | ||
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