Surname Cogburn - Meaning and Origin
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Cogburn: What does the surname Cogburn mean?
The surname Cogburn is of English origin and is derived from the place-name Coggeshall, which is located in Essex, England. The name is derived from Old English and means "enclosed dwelling in the cogs (or narrow valleys)". It is believed that many of the first bearers of the surname Cogburn were living in and around Coggeshall before the 12th century.
Thought to have originally been used as a locational surname, Cogburn was adopted by families who moved from the ancestral village and took the name as their own. As time progressed, the name spread to other parts of the British Isles, where it became more widely adopted.
Today, the surname Cogburn is most common in the United States, as many of the settlers who had the surname eventually moved to the New World in search of better quality of life. As such, it is likely that those who bear the surname in the United States have distant English ancestry.
Though the exact usage of the surname has changed and evolved over the ages, the most contemporary usage is still as a locational surname, indicating an ancestral origin or residence in Coggeshall. It is also believed that the surname is currently used as a patronym, indicating familial relationships within certain people groups.
Order DNA origin analysisCogburn: Where does the name Cogburn come from?
The last name Cogburn is most commonly found around the Southeastern United States, particularly the states of Alabama, North Carolina, Georgia, Mississippi, and Arkansas. This is likely due to the fact that the first known Cogburns were derived from a single family who settled in the South during the early 19th century. Since then, it seems the surname has spread relatively evenly throughout the region and is still most commonly found in these states to this day.
The prevalence of the name Cogburn in the American South can be traced to several early pioneers. The earliest known member of the family was William Cogburn, who was born in South Carolina in 1798. From there, records indicate that members of the Cogburn family ventured into the states of Alabama, Arkansas, and beyond, ultimately settling in a variety of locations throughout the region.
Throughout the centuries, Cogburns have been active contributors to their communities in a variety of ways. For instance, a Cogburn ancestor, religious leader B.E. Cogburn, served in the Confederate Army during the Civil War and, subsequently, founded what is now known as Cogburn Chapel in South Carolina.
The last name Cogburn is still abundant in the Southeastern United States, particularly in the states of Alabama, North Carolina, Georgia, Mississippi, and Arkansas. It is a testament to the strength, tenacity and contributions made by the Cogburn family throughout the centuries.
Variations of the surname Cogburn
The surname Cogburn has multiple variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. Though there may be some significant variation in spelling due to regional dialect and progression of the language over time, the meaning and origin of the name remains. Common variants of Cogburn include Cogbern, Cogbourn, Cogburne, Cogborn, Coghburn, and Coghbourne. Other surnames are derived from the same root, such as Cockburn, Collburn, and Caugorne.
Cogburn is likely an English or Irish name, though the precise origin is unknown. However, it is believed to be derived from “Cockburn”, a nickname meaning “the bird hill”, and “cog” (or “coke”) being a dialect word for a hill. The name could also be from a Scottish clan name derived from the Old Norse personal name Kolkr, meaning “coal”.
Variants and spellings of Cogburn likely arose due to the influence of a particular dialect and pronunciation. In some areas, Cogburn is pronounced with a long “o”. In other areas, it is pronounced with two syllables, sounding almost like “Cog-burn”. This would lead to a number of different spellings, such as Cockburn, Coghburn, and Caugorne.
These days, individuals with the surname Cogburn are found throughout the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, and other parts of the world. As such, it has gained a new and varied reputation since its origin.
Famous people with the name Cogburn
- Charles Portis, an American author best known for his 1968 novel True Grit
- Matt Cogburn, an American special effects artist
- Glenn Cogburn, an American actor
- Harland Cogburn, an American minister and Christian speaker
- Brandon Cogburn, an American country music and blues singer-songwriter
- Johnny Cogburn, an American professional rodeo bullfighter
- Russell Cogburn, an American film director
- Beck Cogburn, an American musician and recording artist
- Daniel Cogburn, an American stuntman
- Len Cogburn, an American professional basketball player and coach