It is a part of the municipality of Stichtse Vecht, and lies about 11 km northeast of Woerden.

The name of the village is a reference to Cockaigne, a medieval fictional land of plenty.

It started as a 12th-century as a cultivation concession, and the name was probably chosen to attract farmers.

During the 17th century, it was prosperous village, due to good water connections to Amsterdam and Utrecht.

The wind mill remained in service until 1962 when it was replaced by an electric pumping station, however it still serves as an emergency backup.