COCHRANE members around the world

COCHRANE Family History

This famous Scottish name, with the variations Cochrane, Cochran, Cochern and Colqueran, is locational and derives from the "Lowlands of Cochrane", near Paisley in Renfrewshire. There has hardly been a period in Scottish and English history when the Cochrane's have not been prominent. Robert Cochrane, Earl of Mar (d. 1482) was a favourite of King James 111, whilst Sir John Cochrane (c. 1650) was a Royalist Commander of Charles 1 and Governor of Towcester in 1644, whilst Thomas Cochrane, 10th Earl of Dundonald (1775-1860) was an Admiral in the Royal Navy until driven out for exposing naval corruption. In 1817 he commanded the Chilean Navy and secured independence from Spain...