Of territorial origin from lands so named in the Merse. In the reign of William the Lion (1165—1214) there was a 'Cukoueburn' (i.e. 'Gowk's Burn') in the territory of Clifton, Roxburghshire, pertaining to the Abbey of Melrose (Melros, 113). Peter de Cokburne witnessed the grant of Floria or Fluria to the House of Sultre between 1190 and 1220 (Soltre, p. 10). John de Kocbrun, a landowner in Fife, for the weal of his soul and the souls of his ancestors and successors granted to the monastery of Lundors certain lands beside his vill of Cullessin c. 1250 (LAC., p. 184—185). The marriage of a daughter of Robert de Cokburne, miles, is mentioned in 1266 (ER., I, p. 22), and at about the same date is entry of a fine paid by Robert de Kokeburn in Roxburghshire. It was perhaps the same Robert de Cokeburn who witnessed the resignation of the lands of Langholm in 1281 (RHM., I, 11). Peter de Kokeburne who witnessed the resignation of lands by Hugh de Reuedene in 1285 (Kelso, 219), is probably the Peres de Cokeburne who rendered homage in 1296. His seal bears a cock walking, and S' Petri de Cokeburn (Bain, II, p. 187,554). Thomas de Cokeburne of the county of Roxburghe also rendered homage in 1296 (ibid., p. 200), William de Cokeburgne, warden of Blantyr Priory, was released of ransom in 1304 (ibid., 1469), and Gilbert de Chockeburn had a charter of land in Popil in East Lothian (Laing, 22). Alexander Cokeburne or Cocburn de Langtoun was keeper of the Great Seal in 1390 and 1391 (RMS., I, 824; Irvine, I, p. 17). Renatus Cocqueborne was appointed procurator of the Scottish 'Nation' in the University of Orleans in 1504 (SHSM., II, p. 95). Some Cockburns who settled in Danzig (now Gdansk) had their name changed, according to the dialect of the district, into Kabrun (Fischer I, p. 60), and Samuel Cockburn, born 1574, settled in Finland and was known as Cobron. There have been many individuals of distinction of this name in the fields of law, theology, politics, and medicine, of whom may be mentioned John Cockburn of Ormiston (1685—1770), an improver of Scottish agriculture; Alison Cockburn (1712—1794), author of one of the two versions of 'The Flowers of the Forest;' Henry Cockburn, Lord Cockburn (1779—1854), judge, politician, and author; and Sir George Cockburn (1772—1853), admiral, who conveyed Napoleon to St. Helena, etc. Defoe in his Tour (1725) noted that the pronunciation of the name was, "as commonly express'd, Cobum." The three cocks in the family arms are mere canting heraldry. Caikburni 1539, Cobron 1688 Cocbvrn 14 c., Cogburne 1532, Cokborn 1388, Cokborne 1449, Cokbovrne 1519, Cokbrine 1596 Cokbrown 1548, Cokbrowne 1567, Cokbvrn 1415, Cokbvrne 1637, Cokbwrn 1531, Cowborn 1591, Creburne 1503, Cukburn 1467 Kokburn 1500, Kokburne 1364, Togburn 1502.

(English) Dweller at the Cock- Brook (i.e., a streamlet frequented by the woodcock, &c.) [Old English cocc + burne]

Probably from either Cockburnlaw, co. Berwick, or from Cockburnspath in the same county. There is a mountain in Berwickshire which is so called.

The hill by the brook, from cock, a hill, and burn, a brook. The family are descended from Thomas de Cockburn, temp. Robert Bruce, their arms are argent, three cocks gules; crest, a cock crowing; motto, "Accendit cantu."

Local. The brook by the hillock; from cock, a hillock, and burn, a brook.

A location name in Scotland.

Cockburn is a local name in Berwickshire The Cowans.