Clan Moffat
| Clan Moffat | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 Crest: a crest coronet and issuing therefrom a cross crosslet fitchee Sable surmounted of a saltire Argent. | |||
| Motto | Spero meliora (I hope for better things)[1] | ||
| Profile | |||
| Region | Borders | ||
| District | Dumfriesshire | ||
| Chief | |||
 | |||
| Jean Moffat of that Ilk,[1][2] | |||
| Chief of the Name and Arms of Moffat.[2] | |||
| Seat | St Jasual, Wheeler End, Buckinghamshire | ||
| |||
Clan Moffat is a Lowland Scottish clan of ancient origin. The clan was leaderless and obscure from the mid 16th century until 1983, when Francis Moffat of that Ilk was recognised as the hereditary chief of the clan by Lord Lyon King of Arms.[3]
History
Origins of the clan
The Clan Moffat are a family from the Scottish Borders who were powerful and influential as far back as the time of William Wallace.[3] It is likely that the ancestor of the Moffats gave their name to the town of Moffat in Dumfriesshire.[3] The name Moffat may be of Norse origin.[3]
William de Movat Alto, progenitor of the Movats, married the youngest daughter of Andlaw, who came from Norway to Scotland in the tenth century.[3] Over the years the name became Montealt, then Movat, then Movest then eventually Moffat in its modern form.[3] By the twelfth century the family were recorded as "de Moffet" which showed that they were considered to be principal lairds or land owners.[3]
Nicholas de Moffat was Bishop of Glasgow in 1286 and the armorial bearings of each branch of the clan indicates a connection with the church.[3]
Wars of Scottish Independence
In 1300 the Moffats were granted four charters of land in the barony of Westerkirk from Robert the Bruce who was then Lord of Annandale.[3] One of these charters was granted to Adam Moffat of Knock.[3] He and his brother both fought at the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314, along with many of the Moffat clansmen during the Wars of Scottish Independence.[3] In 1336 the king of England granted safe conduct to William de Moffete and others, described as coming as ambassadors to David de Brus (David II of Scotland).[3] Walter de Moffat who was Archdeacon of Lothian was appointed ambassador to France in 1337.[3]
Although there were Moffats in Moffat before 1300, their names are not known.[3] In 1342 they were granted the feu of Granton and Reddings by Sir John Douglas, Lord of Annandale.[3] These lands remained the principal holdings of the clan until they were passed over to the Johnstones because of overwhelming debt in 1628.[3]
16th century and clan conflicts
The Clan Moffat like most other Border clans were raiders and Border Reivers, and had many feuds with other clans.[3] Their most notable enemies was the powerful Clan Johnstone.[3] The Johnstones murdered Robert Moffat, who was possibly the clan chief, in 1557 and also burned a building in which a number of Moffats had gathered, slaughtering those who tried to escape.[3] From that date the Clan Moffat was considered a leaderless clan until 1983 when the Lord Lyon King of Arms recognised Francis Moffat as chief after many years of research.[3]
The modern clan
From at least the mid sixteenth century the clan was without a chief, until 1983 when after many years of research, Francis Moffat was granted the undifferenced Arms of Moffat of that Ilk, and recognised as the hereditary chief of the clan by Lord Lyon King of Arms.[3][4] In April 1992, the chiefship passed to his daughter, Jean Moffat of that Ilk.[2][4]
Clan profile
Origin of the name
The surname Moffat/Moffatt is a habitational name of Gaelic origin, derived from Moffat in Dumfriesshire.[5] This place-name translated as "the long plain" was derived from two elements: magh ("plain") and fada ("long").[5] The area of Moffat does not resemble a "long plain" at all, so it is thought that "Moffat" was the locals' attempt at saying "Mowat" as the Mowats, Moffats, and Montaltos all share a common progenitor and at one time bore identical arms. (Major Francis Moffat of that Ilk, "The Moffats")
Clan chief, crest and motto
- Clan chief: Jean Moffat of that Ilk, Chief of the Name and Arms of Moffat.[2]
- Clansman's Badge: A member of the Clan may wear a Badge consisting of the Crest from the Chief's Arms encircled by a strap and buckle . The Moffat Chief's arms has "a crest coronet and issuing there from a cross crosslet fitchee Sable surmounted of a saltire Argent".[6]
- Clan motto: Spero meliora (translation from Latin: I hope for better things,[6] or I aspire to greater things).[7][8]
Clan tartan
The Moffat family tartan is a very modern tartan, created by Major Francis Moffat of that Ilk, after being recognised as the chief of the clan in 1983.[9] The tartan is heavily based upon the Clan Douglas tartan.[9] According to Major Francis Moffat of that Ilk, in his book, "The Moffats," the colors he selected for the modern tartan (black, silver, and a very small amount of red) were taken from the most ancient arms coats associated with the Moffats, a black rampant lion on a silver field, with red teeth and claws.
See also
Notes
- 1 2 Clan Moffat Profile scotclans.com. Retrieved 24 November 2013.
- 1 2 3 4 Moffat of that Ilk, Chief of Moffat
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 Way, George and Squire, Romily. Collins Scottish Clan & Family Encyclopedia. (Foreword by The Rt Hon. The Earl of Elgin KT, Convenor, The Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs). Published in 1994. Pages 274 - 275.
- 1 2 Clan History Retrieved on 2007-11-18
- 1 2 Moffatt Name Meaning and Origin Retrieved on 2007-11-18
- 1 2 myclan.com tab: crest and motto
- ↑ Clan History Retrieved on 2007-11-18
- ↑ Spero Meliora Retrieved on 2007-11-18
- 1 2 Moffat Family Tartan WR1129 Retrieved on 2007-11-18