Hazan

Hazan is a term with several related meanings within Jewish religious and cultural contexts. In Hebrew, hazan (often Anglicized as chazan) designates the cantor, the person who leads congregational prayers, chants liturgical pieces, and directs the musical aspects of services. The role has deep historical roots in Jewish communities across the Mediterranean and the Middle East and remains an important element of many liturgical traditions.

As a surname, Hazan originates from the occupation of a cantor. It is common among Sephardic and Mizrahi Jewish families and has spread through the diaspora to Israel, Europe, and the Americas. Variants include Chazan and Cazan, and the surname can be found among descendants of cantors as well as those who adopted the name for genealogical or cultural reasons.

Geographic distribution and historical migration have shaped the prevalence of the Hazan surname, with concentrations in Israel and communities with Sephardic or Mizrahi heritage. In addition to personal names, the term Hazan appears in scholarly and religious writings to denote the liturgical role rather than an individual.