Cocbourn History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland/England
Scotland
Ireland

The surname Cocbourn was first used by the descendants of a Boernician family of ancient Scotland. They lived in Berwickshire named Cockburn. The place name in turn, comes from the Old English cocc, meaning "rooster," and burna, meaning "a stream." As such, the surname is classed as a local, or habitational name, derived from a place where the original bearer lived or held land.

Early Origins of the Cocbourn family

The surname Cocbourn was first found in Roxburghshire in the lands of Merse. One of the first recorded instances of the name was during the reign of William the Lion (1165-1214) when a Cukoueburn was listed in the area of Clifton, Roxburghshire. Typical of these early entries, no given name was provided. Peter de Cokburne witnessed a grant in 1220. One of the earliest records of a Clan crest was in 1296, when a rooster (cock) is shown on the seal of Peres de Cokeburne. Sir Alexander Cockburn was killed at the battle of Bannockburn in 1314. In 1390, his grandson Alexander was appointed Keeper of the Great Seal of Scotland.

Early History of the Cocbourn family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Cocbourn research. Another 67 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1281, 1595, 1656, 1685, 1735, 1770 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Cocbourn History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Cocbourn Spelling Variations

A lack of rules and the tendency of scribes to spell according to the sound of the word plagued medieval spelling. Not surprisingly, an enormous number of spelling variations appeared. Cocbourn has been written Cockburne, Cobourne, Coburn, Coburne, Cocburn, Cockbain, Cockborne, Cockbourn, Cobourn, Cockburn, Cokburn, Cogburn, Cokbain, Cokborne, Cokbourn, Cokbourne, Cokburne, Cowburn and many more.

Early Notables of the Cocbourn family

Notable amongst the family name during their early history was Adam Cockburn, Laird of Ormiston, Lord Ormiston (1656-1735), a Scottish administrator, politician and judge; John Cockbourn (1685-1770), Scottish improver of agriculture; Lord Cockburn, a Judge...
Another 34 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Cocbourn Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Cocbourn family to Ireland

Some of the Cocbourn family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 69 words (5 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Cocbourn family

Many Scots crossed the Atlantic for North America hoping to escape poverty, as well as persecution. Much of their heritage was lost along the way and overtime. This century, however, Clan societies and highland games have allowed many ancestral Scots to recover their birthright. An examination of many early immigration records reveals that people bearing the name Cocbourn arrived in North America very early: Archibald Cockburn, who settled in Carolina in 1682; James Cockburn, who came to East New Jersey in 1684; Thomas Cockburn, who came to New York in 1701.

The Cocbourn Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Accenti cantu
Motto Translation: He animates by crowing.