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David Cohen - a given name

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Hilary

Hilary Report 27 Jul 2008 19:56

I am interested in researching the surname Cohen, I have heard anecdotally that the name 'David Cohen' was often applied to Jewish imigrants to 19th century England by local officials if their real name was unknown or too difficult to pronounce/write.

Thus they would appear in offical records as 'David Cohen' even if this bears no relationship to their real name. I believe the name 'John Doe' is used in a similar manner by US authorities today.

Does anyone with the surname Cohen have evidence of this occuring or have I been misinformed?

Many thanks