History Clan Moffat

1 history

1.1 origins of clan
1.2 wars of scottish independence
1.3 16th century , clan conflicts
1.4 modern clan

history
origins of clan

the clan moffat family scottish borders powerful , influential far time of william wallace. ancestor of moffats gave name town of moffat in dumfriesshire. name moffat may of norse origin.

william de movat alto, progenitor of movats, married youngest daughter of andlaw, came norway scotland in tenth century. on years name became montealt, movat, movest moffat in modern form. twelfth century family recorded de moffet showed considered principal lairds or land owners.

nicholas de moffat bishop of glasgow in 1286 , armorial bearings of each branch of clan indicates connection church.

wars of scottish independence

in 1300 moffats granted 4 charters of land in barony of westerkirk robert bruce lord of annandale. 1 of these charters granted adam moffat of knock. , brother both fought @ battle of bannockburn in 1314, along many of moffat clansmen during wars of scottish independence. in 1336 king of england granted safe conduct william de moffete , others, described coming ambassadors david de brus (david ii of scotland). walter de moffat archdeacon of lothian appointed ambassador france in 1337.

although there moffats in moffat before 1300, names not known. in 1342 granted feu of granton , reddings sir john douglas, lord of annandale. these lands remained principal holdings of clan until passed on johnstones because of overwhelming debt in 1628.

16th century , clan conflicts

the clan moffat other border clans raiders , border reivers, , had many feuds other clans. notable enemies powerful clan johnstone. johnstones murdered robert moffat, possibly clan chief, in 1557 , burned building in number of moffats had gathered, slaughtering tried escape. date clan moffat considered leaderless clan until 1983 when lord lyon king of arms recognised francis moffat chief after many years of research.

the modern clan

from @ least mid sixteenth century clan without chief, until 1983 when after many years of research, francis moffat granted undifferenced arms of moffat of ilk, , recognised hereditary chief of clan lord lyon king of arms. in april 1992, chiefship passed daughter, jean moffat of ilk.