Cochrane (Cochran)

'Virtute Et Labore (By Valour and Exertion)'

Cochrane Tartan
©2011 Gazetteer for Scotland

The traditional history of the Cochranes, a name derived from the Gaelic for 'the roar of battle', has them descended from a Viking warrior who settled in Renfrewshire c.900.

In 1653 William Cochrane bought the lordship and barony of Paisley from the Earl of Angus and moved into the Palace of Paisley.

The Dundonald estate (South Ayrshire) passed into the Cochrane family in 1638 and in 1669 William Cochrane became the 1st Earl of Dundonald.

In the 18th century there was a succession of chiefs that were renowned for their military prowess. Thomas was the most famous of these so called 'fighting Cochranes', due to his capture of a Spanish frigate despite being heavily outnumbered.

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