Clan Cockburn

Clan Cockburn is a lowland Scottish clan originating in the Berwickshire region of Scotland. It is believed that the surname Cockburn evolved from a combination of moor-cook, meaning hill and burna combined with a brook or a stream. The name first appeared in the 13th century to identify individuals from a location named Cockburn. The clan acquired much of its territory in when Sir Alexander de Cockburn married the daugther of Sir William de Vipoint. Vipont parished in battle around 1314 leaving his lands in Langton and Berwickshire to Sir Alexander. Over the years many have shortened the name to Coburn

The clan motto is Accendit Cantu which translates into, he excites us with song, and the clans crest features a crowing cock.

The historic seat of the clan was Cockburn Tower located in Berwickshire. The Tower was built or acquired by the Cockburns in 1527 from the Dunbar family . In 1696 the tower was sold by Sir James Cockburn to pay off debts. The Tower is now considered a ruin. The current seat of the clan is Langton Castle located near Duns. The Castle was passed to the Cockburns in 1330. They lost control of the castle in 1745 after the chief was killed at the Battle of Fontenoy. Today only the decorative gateway of the home remains.

The Cockburn Chiefdom went dormant in 1880 when Sir Alexander Cockburn died without a heir. The clan currently does not have a chief and is considered an armigerous clan.