The Surname Cockell,Cockle,etc.

[aghadowey]

If Emma was local you'd think there would be a marriage for her in Co. Antrim/Ireland. Will have another look for that.

[aghadowey]

I can find no record of Emma Cockell, except on John Andrew's birth certificate.

Have you, or your friend, actually seen the birth certificate or are you going by entry on LDS Pilot site which lists mother as Emma Cockell?

[RosemaryJoan]

I have the birth certificate here, recently received from GRONI.
31/1/1876, in Drumnadroagh
John Andrew Curran
Father James Curran, farmer
Mother Emma Curran, formerly Cockell
registered by James Curran, father, Drumnadroagh.
I sent for it to make sure of the mother's surname.
RosemaryJoan

[aghadowey]

Can you post a scanned image of that section of the certificate so we can see if there are any other possibilities for Emma's name?

[RosemaryJoan]

It looks very clear to me

[aghadowey]

Does look clear but also looks like 'modern' handwriting 

[RosemaryJoan]

It is definitely a photocopy of the original, entry no. 327 and I can see the start of number 328 at the bottom .  The writing is the same in all sections, and signed by James Johnston, Deputy Registrar, Belfast Urban 7.
I know I can't post the whole certificate here because of copyright, but the writing is very clear and of the period. 
RosemaryJoan