Surname Cockbourn - Meaning and Origin
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Cockbourn: What does the surname Cockbourn mean?
The surname Cockbourn is of Anglo-Saxon origin, derived from a place name or nickname. It is thought to have derived from "Cockburn," which was a common spelling in Scotland during the 15th and 16th centuries. Cockbourn likely originated in an area located in the north of England or in Scotland. The surname was also found in the Yorkshire region of northern England.
The origin of the name Cockbourn is unclear, although the most likely explanation is that it was derived from a personal name such as 'Cock' or 'Cocke'. In some instances, 'Cock' was a nickname for someone with a rooster-like temperament or a proud and boastful nature. This nickname could have been passed through the generations to Cockbourn families.
The first recorded spelling of Cockbourn is believed to have been in the mid 14th century in Scotland, with John de Cocburne appearing in the Register of the Freemen of the city of York in 1298. The name is still prevalent throughout England, Scotland and Wales today.
The Cockbourn surname can be found today in many parts of the world. It is most common in great Britain, the United States, Australia and Canada. The Cockbourn name has a legacy of being associated with strong family values, a proud and ambitious spirit, and a sense of adventure.
Order DNA origin analysisCockbourn: Where does the name Cockbourn come from?
The last name Cockbourn is most common today in the United Kingdom. Variants of the name such as Cobourn and Codbourne also appear in the historical records. The name is believed to have been first established in Cornwall many centuries ago, most likely in Cornwall, Northern Devon or Somerset. There, a single name Cockbourn appears in a legal record from 1310.
Cockbourn has always been a very localized name, appearing only in several regions of the British Isles. That being said, the most modern population centers that can be associated with the surname Cockbourn are in Devon, Cornwall, and Somerset in the Southwest region of England. In the 19th century, many Cockbourns moved to Lancashire in the North West part of England, and some even ventured to the United States and Canada afterwards.
Today, the surname Cockbourn is not particularly common, with about 710 individuals bearing the name in the United Kingdom. While it is not a particularly popular name anywhere, it is still most commonly found in the aforesaid counties of Southwest England. The name has also been found in some other regions of the world—such as South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand—but usually in small numbers.
Variations of the surname Cockbourn
The Cockbourn surname has many variants and spellings, including:
Cockburn, Cockburne, Cockborne, Cockborn, Chauckbourne, Cockebourne, Cokebourne, Cockburne, Cockbron, Cockburnne, and Cockburney.
Cockbourn first appeared in British records around the 15th century and is believed to have derived from the Anglo-Saxon “Coceburn.” This name appears in Middle English and Old English literature and translates to mean “the stream of the Cock bird.” The surname was likely used to describe a person who lived near a stream where there were a lot of cocks.
The Cockbourn surname has spread throughout the world and can be found in Europe, the United States, South Africa, and Canada, among other places. Those with the Cockbourn surname often have a shared history and ancestors who likely settled in the same location or migrated together.
The Cockbourn surname has evolved over time and many different spellings and variations can be found. Common variants can include Cockburn, Cockburne, Cockborne, Cockborn, Chauckbourne, Cockebourne, Cokebourne, Cockburne, Cockbron, Cockburnne, and Cockburney. Despite the many variants of the Cockbourn surname, all of these spellings and variants likely share the same roots and origin.
Famous people with the name Cockbourn
- Sir William Cockburn of Cockburn (1779–1847), Scottish soldier and Member of Parliament
- Henry Cockburn, Lord Cockburn (1779–1854), Scottish lawyer, judge and literary figure
- Robert Cockburn (1779–1847), Scottish physician
- Charles Mackerras Cockburn (1804–1862), British vice-admiral
- Henry Cockburn, Baron Cockburn of Langholm (1815–1880), Scottish lawyer and politician
- Alexander Cockburn (1941–2012), British-born American journalist
- Andrew Cockburn (born 1949), British journalist
- Patrick Cockburn (born 1950), British journalist and author
- Jehane Markham-Cockburn (born 1952), British rock climber
- Alexander Cockburn (activist) (born 1958), British environmental activist
- Hamish Cockburn (born 1966), British-born Canadian mountaineer