Clan Cochrane

Clan Cochrane is a lowland Scottish Clan originating in the Renfrewshire district. It is believed that the ancestry of the clan began in the ninth century with a viking warrior who decided to settle in Scotland. The surname Cochrane may have been derived from a place named the “Lowlands of Cochrane”, which were located in Renfrewshire. The first time the Cochrane surname shows up in official records is in the 13th century, these records are associated with the Paisley Abbey and Glasgow Catherdral. The first chief of the clan is believed to be William Cochrane, 1st Earl of Dundonald. William was knighted by Charles I in 1647 after he took part in the Wars of the Thee Kingdoms.

The Clan’s motto is Virtute Et Labore which means “by valour and exertion”, and the clan’s crest features a horse walking, with the right front foot raised.

The historic seat of the clan is Auchindoun Castle located in Auchindoun, Banffshire. The castle was constucted by Robert Cochrane in the 15th century. The Cochrane Clan only held the castle until 1489 when it was passed to the Ogilvies and then the Gordons. Currently the ruins of the Castle are under control of Historic Environment Scotland as a scheduled monument. In November 2007 after the completion of some restoration the castle was open to the public. In 1592 William Cochrane built Cochrane Tower near Johnstone, Renfrewshire. There are no remains of this castle at the site but a monument to commemorate the castle was built in 1896. The Current seat of the clan is Lochnell Castle built by the Campbell’s of Lochnell. The Campbells sold the castle to the Cochrane family in 1912. In 1949 the family broke up the property and sold the estate, only to repurchase it in 1962.

The Clan Cochrane Society was created as a genealogical society whose main function is to educate its members about family history. The society also organizes clan events and trips, sells clan specific merchandise and produces a quarterly newsletter that is available to its members.