HISTORY OF THE CLAN MOFFAT

C.1095

William de Mont Alto (later Mowat, sometimes Moffat) married the youngest daughter of Andlaw of Norway

1268

Nicholas de Moffat was Bishop of Glasgow

1296

Robert and Thomas de Moffat paid homage to Edward 1st in "Ragmans Roll"

1297

Moffats helped William Wallace construct his 'big ditch deep enough to hide a man on horseback and paved with stones on the edge' between the Rivers Tweed and Yarrow

1300

Robert the Bruce, Lord of Annandale, granted four land charters in the Barony of Westkirk to the Moffats.  One of these was Adam Moffat of Knock

1314

Adam Moffat and his brother fought at the Battle of Bannockburn alongside many other members of Clan Moffat:  One fifth of the army was reputed to from our Clan

1336

Edward III, King of England, granted safe conduct to William de Moffete as ambassador of David the Bruce, son of Robert the Bruce

1337

Walter de Moffat, Archdeacon of Midlothian appointed ambassador to France

1342

Sir John Douglas, Lord Annandale, granted the feu of Granton and Reddings to Moffat

1347

Walter de Moffat was appointed Kings Messenger to England, France and the Marches

1569

'Ane of the Moffats of Powbudy to ly as pledge for the rest aye that gang on Sunday next at Dumfries under pane of two thowsand marks'

1570

Quhick Day: 'of the Moffetis of Bludewuse in Dumfries on Sunday next, under pane of two thousand marks, David Moffat of Hewykis interit pledge for himself, William Sym, Christie and his brother, their bairnes, tenents and servandis and also for the hail gang of Powbudy to be interghasit with Ane of the twa brother of the said David and James Moffat of Powbudy'

1578

18th October: 'William Moffat, sone fo James Moffat of Powbudy to lye as pledge for guid order and quietness of the Borders' - Stirling Castle

1582

28th June: Johne Moffat and Robert Moffat fined £500 and bound over not to 'hold intercourse with declarit trators'

1583

8th May: David Moffat of Sybellsyde, Math Moffat of Woodend (called Daveschaw) charged and found guilty of fire raising, slaying and hocking of hors and oxin' - Holyrood

1583

27th August: Gilbert Hay of Monkstown complained that 'William Moffat of Arriestanes, Robert Moffat and his son their James Moffat of Meikleimside, James Moffat of Meikleholme, James Moffat of Carigholme, John Moffat and his sone William Moffat, James Moffet of the town of Moffet, Thomas Moffet, Gilbert Moffet his breather, James Moffat called "Scald James" and David Moffat of Altown came on 1st April to the town and lands of Nether Mynyeane owned by Gilbert Hay, and chaisit the haill holt & scheip and drownyng the maist part of thame in the waters of the Tweide, and took away guid and hail insichts'.  The Court denounced them as rebels

1583

25th November: Act of Forfeiture made against David Moffat of Sibbiehelfied and Mathew Moffat of Woodend and others for High Treason

1587

Moneypenny's Chronicle said there were 65 Lairds and Gentlemen living in Dumfrieshire and the stewartry of Kirkudbright and these included the Laird of Knock and the Gudemen of Granton and Beidesbek: three Moffats

1587

July: Scottish Parliament declared the Moffets to by 'an unruly clan of the Western Marches'

1590

10th June: 'Laird of Knock to find caution for the good behaviour of the Moffatts' - Holyrood

1593

William Moffat elected one of the Bailies of St. Andrew's - confirmed by the King

1594

Scottish Parliament states: 'Measures to be taken to suppress the lawless Moffats and other Border Clans'

1609

King James VI's Commission, looking into the lawlessness of the Borders, dispersed the main culprits: the Moffats, and sold their lands to the Johnstones.  After the Dispersement, only a few members of the family survived in Scotland and from these descended the principal families of Sundaywell, Lochurr and Stroqhan (about 15 miles NW of Dumfries) and the two at Edenhall and Harpertoun near Kelso in Roxburghshire

1628

Granton and Reddings (near Moffat) sold to the Johnstones to relieve overwhelming debts

1658

James and David Moffat moved from Granton to Crofthead

1744

Garwald in Eskdalemuir leased by Moffats

1759

The last of the Moffats in Gardenholm (near Moffat) died

1817

Craick in Borthwick Water leased by Moffats

1906

End of the 600 years of tenancy of Midknock by Moffats

1911

William Moffat (son of Francis Moffat) bought Hawkshaw in Tweedsmuir

1920

Francis Moffat bought Craigbeck and Garrowgill

1935

William Moffat bought Fingland

1937

Francis Moffat died

1948

William Moffat died

1950

Garwald lease given up

1983

Francis Moffat confirmed as Clan Chief by Lord Lyon, King of Arms

1992

Francis Moffat died.  Daughter assumed position as Clan Chief: Madam Jean Moffat of that Ilk