The Moffat Clan is one of the oldest families in Dumfreisshire, if not the oldest, yet over three centuries it was a ’broken’ of ‘heidless’ clan, with no recognised arms or clan chief. Only recently has there been a revival of the clan, largely due to the author’s thirty five years research into its history and his eventual recognition as hereditary clan chief and as Moffat of the Ilk by the Lord Lyon in 1983. He is uniquely qualified to provide, in this book, an up-to-date guide to the fascinating history of one of the leading clans of the turbulent Border Country.
From its origin with the Norman, Monte Altos, who came to Scotland in the tenth century, the family that gave its name both to the ancient ‘Moffatdail’ and to the modern town of Moffat played a prominent role in national as well as local history. Moffats fought with William Wallace and Robert the Bruce, they provided bishops for the Church and ambassadors for the Crown, until early in the 17th century, their fortunes were eclipsed. Nearly all their land fell into the hands of their enemies, the Johnstones, until by 1672, the last Moffat laird of Altoun had been displaced and the clan was broken.
The author traces all of the principal branches of the family: of Grantoun and Altoun; of Knock and Midknock; of Crofthead and Craigbeck with cadet branches of Bodesbeck, Lockerby and Edinburgh; of Garwald and Craick; and of Sandywell and Lochurr. He also provides much detail on neighbouring families, such as Halliday, Langton, French, Bell, Ewart and Porteous and, of course, the Johnstones, so long their bitter rivals yet so often marriage partners.
No study of a Border family would be complete without an account of the bloody and violent background of this lawless area, with both family feuds and political intrigue between England and Scotland. Nor could an account of the Moffats fail to deal at length with the many emigrant branches, not only throughout the english-speaking world but also such unlikely examples at Jean Pierre Muffat de Saint Amour, founder of the families of the Marquesses de Channaz and the Counts of Rumilly-sous-Cornillon. American Moffats have achieved fame in many walks of life, including David H. Moffat, builders of the longest railway tunnel in the States, and the Reverend Samuel Moffett, the famous missionary.
The revival of Clan Moffat could not be better marked that by the publication, in this book, of the carefully researched history upon which that revival is largely based. Moffats everywhere--and related families--will welcome the book very warmly. Students of family history and Border history in general will also find much new material of great interest.
Contents:
List of Illustrations
List of Pedigrees
Foreword
Acknowledgements
1. The Name and the Place
2. Early Moffats
3. The Moffat Lairds of Grantoun and Altoun
4. The Moffats of Knock
5. The Moffats of Crofthead and Craigbeck
6. The Moffats of Garwald and Craick
7. The Moffats of Sundaywell and Lochurr
8. The Moffats and Some Neighbours
9. Border Strife and Civil War
10. Some Other Moffats
11. Moffat History
Glossary of Scottish Terms
Addenda:
- Baronial Status of the Moffats
- The Moffats of Bodesbeck
- Descendants of William Moffat of County Antrim
- Descendants of P. Moffat of Dalkeith
- Moffats and McDowells
- Descendants of John Moffet of Melrose
- Descendants of James Moffet and Robert Orr
- Moffats in Dunscore
- Descent of Alexander Moffat of Lochurr
Bibliography
Appendix 1: Aboard in ‘Bombay’
Appendix 2: Two Galloway Cattle Herds
Appendix 3: Robert Moffat, missionary
Index
