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Clan Cockburn (Tartans, Crest) and The Story Behind

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Cockburn

Clan Crest: A cock crowing, Proper

Clan Motto: Accendit Cantu (He rouses us with song)

Region: Lowlands

Clan Chief: None, armigerous clan

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Cockburn Clan History

There are various theories as to where this surname originated. One theory connects it to a place near Duns in Berwickshire, while another claims it is derived from the old Scots word 'gowk' meaning cuckoo and is related to Cukooburn in Roxburghshire. It may appear strange that the crest is a cockerel, but this can be attributed to 'canting,' in which a crest image is sometimes a pun on the person's surname.

The Ragman Roll of 1296 contains the signatures of two Cockburns: Peres de Cockburne and Thomas de Cockburn of Roxburgshire.

Sir Alexander de Cockburn married the daughter of Sir William de Vipont, who fought at Bannockburn but was killed, and as a result his lands at Langton in Berwickshire were transferred to the Cockburn family. In 1390, 'Alexander Cockburn de Langton' was appointed keeper of the Great Seal of Scotland. His son and heir was appointed Hereditary Great Usher of Scotland. A charter granted by James IV in 1504 to the Barony of Langton confirmed this. According to Balfour's Annals, John, Earl of Wigtown, usurped the position. The dispute was taken to a committee of parliament, but Langton's outrage led to him protesting directly to the King upon his arrival at parliament, which resulted in his imprisonment for a day in Edinburgh Castle (pictured top).

Sir Alexander's descendant, Sir William Cockburn of Langton, was killed at the Battle of Flodden in 1513. The family remained loyal to the Stuart cause and supported Mary Queen of Scots, resulting in the loss of Stirling Castle. In 1671, the chiefly line sold their estates to a cousin who was created a Baronet of Nova Scotia.

Lord Cockburn (1779-1854), a central figure of the Scottish Enlightenment and the nephew of the famous Lord Melville, was a notable Cockburn. Admiral Sir George Cockburn (1772-1853) escorted Napoleon into exile on the island of St Helena, and Alison Cockburn (1713-94) was famous for writing the words to the lament "The Flowers of the Forest."

Clan Cockburn Places & People

This section is currently being researched.

Cockburn Clan Tartans

The Cockburn tartan is thought to be a Wilson's of Bannockburn tartan, and it was possibly named after General Cockburn, who was fairly well-known in the early 1800s.

The term'modern' refers to dye shades that are typically darker, whereas 'ancient' refers to the use of lighter colored dyes.

Cockburn Contemporary

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Cockburn Historic

Clan Cockburn Crest & Coats of Arms

Cockburn Clan Crest

Worn by everyone with the same name and ancestry

Description of the Crest:

Proper, a cock crowing

Coats of Arms of Clan Cockburn

A word about Coats of Arms:

A coat of arms is granted to an individual under Scottish heraldic law (with the exception of civic or corporate arms). A 'family coat of arms' does not exist. With the exceptions noted above, the arms depicted below are personal arms. Only the person who has been granted these weapons has the right to use them.