The Cocosates or Cocosates Sexsignani were an Aquitani tribe dwelling in present-day Landes during the Iron Age.
They are mentioned as Cocosates by Caesar (mid-1st c. BC),[1] and as Cocosates Sexsignani by Pliny (1st c. AD).[2][3]
The etymology of the name remains obscure. It can be derived from the Gaulish stem cocos- ('scarlet red') attached to the suffix -ates ('belonging to'). Red is a colour commonly used in personal names (Cocus, Cocca, Cocidius, etc.) and associated with warfare.[4][3]
The Cocosates lived in present-day Landes. Their territory was located east of the Atlantic Ocean, west of the Oscidates and Sotiates, north of the Tarbelli and Tarusates, and south of the Boii.[5]
Their chief town was known as Caequosa (modern Sescouze, near Castets).[6]
The Cocosates were a confederation of six tribes. They were probably clients of the neighbouring Tarbelli.[6]