A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Cockburne family of Scotland.
Reg. 7079 · Scottish, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
fretPersuasion, and the net that holds
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Ar. a fret of six sa. a chief gu”
Scotlandc. 1748
Where the Cockburne Arms Were Recorded
Edinburgh
Map of Scotland showing where the Cockburne arms are recorded
The Cockburne 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 Cockburne 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 Cockburne Family in Scotland
The family name Cockburne is deeply rooted in the history of the Scottish Lowlands, with its origins tied to the lands of Cockburn in Berwickshire. The name is locational, meaning the earliest members of the family took their surname from the place where they lived and held property. Over several centuries, the family expanded their influence across the region, eventually establishing a significant presence in the capital city of Edinburgh by the mid-eighteenth century. By 1748, records show that members of the Cockburne family were active participants in the social and professional life of the city. This period was a time of great intellectual and economic growth in Scotland, and the family name became associated with the legal and administrative circles that defined Edinburgh during the Scottish Enlightenment.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Cocke and Burne
A male bird and a small stream or brook.
This name
CockburneRefers to someone who lived near a stream frequented by wild birds.
also spelled
Cockburn
Cockburne
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 Testaments, 1748
Paton, Henry, The Clan and Name of Cockburn, 1913
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
fretPersuasion, and the net that holds
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
fretPersuasion, and the net that holds
