Cockbain History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland/England
Scotland
Ireland

The Boernician-Scottish Cockbain family 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 Cockbain family

The surname Cockbain 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 Cockbain family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Cockbain 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 Cockbain History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Cockbain Spelling Variations

Spelling rules had not yet evolved in medieval Scotland, some names dating from that era often appear many different ways. Some spelling variations of Cockbain include 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 Cockbain 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 Cockbain Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Cockbain family to Ireland

Some of the Cockbain 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 Cockbain family

The Boernician-Scottish people who came to North America were often nearly penniless when they arrived, and brought very few personal effects with them. Much Scottish heritage was lost in the process, and it is only this century that highland games, Clan societies, and other patriotic Scottish organizations have helped the ancestors of Scots to rediscover their national legacy. Cockbains were some of the first of the immigrants to arrive in North America: 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.

Contemporary Notables of the name Cockbain (post 1700) +

Ian Cockbain (1958-2022), English cricketer, a right handed batsman who bowled slow left arm orthodox, born in Bootle, Lancashire
Ian Andrew Cockbain (b. 1987), English cricketer who currently plays for Gloucestershire (2010-)
Matt Cockbain (b. 1972), Australian rugby union football coach and a former international player who played over 60 tests for the national team, the Wallabies including winning the 1999 Rugby World Cup, brother of Brent Cockbain
Brent John Cockbain (b. 1974), former rugby union player from Coffs Harbour, New South Wales who won 24 caps for Wales

The Cockbain 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.