Cokburn History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland/England
Scotland
Ireland

Cokburn is a name whose roots are found in the clans of the Boernician people of ancient Scotland. The Cokburn 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 Cokburn family

The surname Cokburn 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 Cokburn family

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

Cokburn Spelling Variations

Scribes in the Middle Ages simply spelled according to sound. The result is an enormous number of spelling variations among names that evolved in that era. Cokburn has been spelled 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 Cokburn 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 Cokburn Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Cokburn family to Ireland

Some of the Cokburn 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 Cokburn family

Most of the Boernician-Scottish families who came to North America settled on the eastern seaboard of what would become the United States and Canada. Families who wanted a new order stayed south in the War of Independence, while those who were still loyal to the crown went north to Canada as United Empire Loyalists. In the 20th century, the ancestors of these families have gone on to rediscover their heritage through Clan societies and other patriotic Scottish organizations. Research into the origins of individual families in North America has revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name Cokburn or a variant listed above: 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 Cokburn 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.