Kohout is a Czech surname, deriving from the word for "rooster." It is the Czech cognate of the Ukrainian surname Kohut, sharing the same literal meaning. The name originated as a nickname for a proud or vain person, evoking the strutting and crowing behavior of a rooster. Over time, this descriptive nickname became hereditary, solidifying it as a family name. Distribution and Variants Kohout is most commonly found in the Czech Republic. The equivalent surname in other Slavic languages includes Polish Kogut, Slovak Kohút, Slovene Kokot, and Ukrainian Kohut—all with the same "rooster" meaning. The feminine form in Czech is Kohoutová, and in Slovak, Kohúová. Notable Bearers The surname has been carried by several prominent individuals across various fields: Aleš Kohout (born 1972), Czech footballer Antonín Kohout (1919–2013), Czech cellist Eduard Kohout (1889–1976), Czech actor Jan Kohout (born 1961), Czech diplomat and politician Pavel Kohout (born 1928), Czech-Austrian novelist, playwright and poet Zdeněk Kohout (born 1967), Czech bobsledder Meaning: Rooster (nickname for a proud person) Origin: Czech Type: Surname (from Slavic common noun) Usage Regions: Czech Republic and among Czech diaspora Variants: Kohut (Ukrainian), Kogut (Polish), Kohút (Slovak), Kokot (Slovene)