Article
Moffat
Motto: Spero meliora (I hope for better things)
The Moffats are an ancient Borders family who look to their history as far back as William Wallace. They are also likely to have given their name to the town of Moffat in Dumfrieshire. The origin of the name is thought to be Norse. William de Mont Alto, married the youngest daughter of Andlaw, who came to Scotland in the 10th century from Norway. The name changed to Montealt, Movat, Movest and then settled on Moffat.
Robert the Bruce, as Lord of Annandale, granted four charters of land in the barony of Westerkirk to the Moffats in 1300. The Moffats fought in the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314. Much of the Moffat holdings passed to the Johnstones in the 17th century as a result of debt. In 1759 the last Moffat in Gardenholm died and the family moved to Craigbeck in Moffatdale. Subsequently, Moffats bought Craigbeck and Garrowhill, restoring a landed position.
In 1909 Francis Moffat bought Bodesbeck, which had been Moffat land in 1589. The family rose to be one of the most significant sheep farmers in southern Scotland. Another branch of the Moffat family farmed Garwald in Eskdalemuir. Other Moffats spread to Sundaywell and Lochurr. Until very recently there was only one tartan associated with this name. In 1983 a new chief of the name was recognised, the first for some 400 years, and the following year a new design was approved.
Choose from one of the Moffat tartans listed below:
