Surname Cockran - Meaning and Origin
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Cockran: What does the surname Cockran mean?
The surname Cockran is of Irish origin derived from the Old Gaelic name O'Cochrain. The 'O' prefix indicates 'grandson of' or 'descendant of', while Cochran likely comes from 'coch' meaning 'red' and 'ràn' meaning 'raven'. Hence it can be translated as "descendant of Red Raven". This likely referred to a notable ancestor with red hair or a ruddy complexion. Surnames often originated from nicknames, occupations, locations, or descriptions of an elder in the family. However, different areas and families may have had different derivatives, so these are considered possibilities. As variations in the spelling of a surname occurred quite often in older records, due to many factors such as illiteracy, Cockran might be seen with different spellings like Cochran, Coughran, and Coghlan among others. Individuals with this surname spread across regions including Ireland, Scotland, and later immigrated to countries like the United States and Canada.
Order DNA origin analysisCockran: Where does the name Cockran come from?
The surname Cockran is of Scottish origin. It is believed that the name is derived from the Gaelic term 'Cochran,' which approximately translates to 'Brown,' 'Brownie,' or 'Brown-haired one.' In the 13th century, the Cochranes were established in Renfrewshire, a historical county in western Scotland, and the name has been associated with this region since ancient times.
The Cochran or Cockran family were part of the larger Scottish clan system and had their own family crest and motto. Over the years, variants of the surname, including Cochrane, Cochran, Cocrane, and Cockran, have emerged.
Though originally from Scotland, the name has spread to other parts of the globe due to historical migration and colonization. Today, the surname is most common in the United States, followed by the United Kingdom and Canada, according to Forebears' surname database.
However, the spelling 'Cockran' is less common than 'Cochran' or 'Cochrane'. It is most prevalent in the United States and is the 196,053rd most common surname in the world. Similarly, in Scotland today, the spelling 'Cockran' is less common compared to the original 'Cochrane'. Despite these variations, all versions of the surname share the same ancestral roots in Scotland.
Variations of the surname Cockran
The surname Cockran is of Irish origin, derived from 'Ó Cocráin'. It is often anglicized into various spellings due to phonetic transcriptions and regional dialects. Some of these spellings include Cockrane, Cocran, Cochran, Cochrane, Cochren, Cochranes, Cochern and Cockran.
A few more variants include: Cocheran, Cocheron, Cocron, Cocrane, Cocherane, Cochrun, Cockranne, Cockrane, Kokran, Kockran, and Kockrane. Sometimes a 'Mc' or 'Mac' prefix might be added, as in McCochran or MacCochran, implying 'son of Cochran'. Surnames may have evolved to slightly different forms over time, across countries and regions due to migration.
It's important to mention that, while these variations exist, it doesn't guarantee that all bearers of the variants are directly related, as names could often be derived from nicknames, profession, or geographic locations. Therefore, some people with these names might not have any genetic links with each other. Every variant might have its own lineage and distinct branch with its own coat of arms in the family history. Hence, genealogical research often involves studying the specific lineage of a surname variant.
Famous people with the name Cockran
- William Bourke Cockran: An Irish-American politician and orator, known for his impact on American politics in late 19th and early 20th century, especially his influence on a young Winston Churchill.
- Patricia Cockran: A contemporary British author known for her novels set in different historical periods, like "Legacy of Shadows" and "Broken Jigsaw".
- Helen Cockran: An American author best known for her self-help books.
- Kit Cockran: A former American football player who played professionally in the National Football League (NFL). The Cockran name may not be as prominent as others in the public domain, but these individuals have made significant contributions in their respective fields.