A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Cockburn family of Scotland.
Reg. 7743 · Scottish, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cockCourage, vigilance and readiness for battle
masclePersuasion and the mail of a knight's coat
cross symbolChristian faith and service
crownSovereignty, authority and just reward
shipEnterprise, and a great voyage undertaken
sailEnterprise, and a voyage undertaken
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
ErmineMeans: Dignity
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Quarterly, ar. and gu. on the first and fourth quarters, three cocks of the last; in the second and third six mascles or, three, two, and one, over all a cross erm. surmounted of another of the second, charged with a naval crown, gold, betw. a ship, sails furled, in chief two towers triple towered in fesse and a lymphad in base, all ppr”
Scotlandc. 1748
Where the Cockburn Arms Were Recorded
Edinburgh
Map of Scotland showing where the Cockburn arms are recorded
The Cockburn arms were recorded in Scotland, c. 1748.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Edinburgh.
Edinburgh was the seat of Scotland's government, its courts and its heralds. Families with business there settled nearby, and being close to where arms were recorded is exactly why so many of them appear.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
The body that granted and recorded arms in Scotland in this period.
George II of Great Britain
Sovereign of the period
George II of Great Britain
1727–1760
Reigning in Scotland when the Cockburn arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Scotland
Scottish heraldry is unique because it treats a coat of arms as a piece of personal property protected by law. Only one person can own a specific design at any given time. When a family grows, the head keeps the original shield while other relatives must apply for their own distinct version with slight changes to prove their specific identity.
Granting authority
The Court of the Lord Lyon acts as the official body that regulates and controls all heraldic matters throughout Scotland.
How they got arms
Individuals obtain a legal right to their arms through a formal petition process that confirms their identity and family connection.
Where arms were recorded
All valid coats of arms are officially entered into the Public Register of All Arms and Bearings starting from 1672.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Scotland.
Origin & History of the Cockburn Family in Scotland
The Cockburn family name originated in the Scottish Borders and is rooted in the landscape of the region. The name is locational, likely derived from the lands of Cockburn in the parish of Duns in Berwickshire. By the medieval period, members of the family had established themselves as significant landowners and political figures in the area. They were deeply involved in the complex border politics of the time, often serving as sheriffs and holding positions of authority within the Scottish government. By the mid-eighteenth century, the family had expanded their influence into the capital, and records confirm their active presence in Edinburgh by 1748. During this era, the family members were well-integrated into the professional and social life of the city, contributing to the legal and intellectual circles that defined the Scottish Enlightenment.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Coc-burna
Derived from Old English words for a stream and a bird.
This name
CockburnRefers to a dweller by a stream frequented by wild birds or roosters.
also spelled
Cockborne
Coburn
Related arms
Cockbornevariant spelling
Bannatynerecorded with Cockburn, same area
Brownrecorded with Cockburn, same area
Carmichaelrecorded with Cockburn, same area
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland: Their Origin, Meaning, and History, 1946
National Records of Scotland, Register of Deeds, Court of Session, RD1
Paton, Henry, The Clan Campbell: Abstracts of Entries Relating to Campbells in the Sheriff Court Books of Perthshire, 1913. (Contains broader context on Scottish family records and naming patterns)
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
cockCourage, vigilance and readiness for battle
masclePersuasion and the mail of a knight's coat
cross symbolChristian faith and service
crownSovereignty, authority and just reward
shipEnterprise, and a great voyage undertaken
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
cockCourage, vigilance and readiness for battle
masclePersuasion and the mail of a knight's coat
cross symbolChristian faith and service
crownSovereignty, authority and just reward
shipEnterprise, and a great voyage undertaken
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
