How are cohanim believed to be connected to Aaron?

Cohanim are believed to be connected to Aaron through hereditary lineage. In biblical times, the Hebrew priesthood was established as a hereditary office transmitted exclusively to the male descendants of Aaron, who was appointed as the first Jewish priest by his brother, Moses.12

This status is defined by right of blood, with cohanim tracing their ancestry directly back to Aaron. While the priesthood's functions evolved significantly after the destruction of the Temple, the identity of the cohanim remains tied to this ancestral link. Today, this connection is often indicated by surnames such as Cohen, Cowen, or Kahn, and those who hold this status continue to perform specific traditional roles, such as pronouncing the priestly blessing over the congregation during festivals and officiating at the ritual redemption of the firstborn son.1