Moffat

Moffat

Clan Moffat of that Ilk, Scotland; of ancient Norse stock and descended from William de Mont Alto who married the youngest daughter of Andlaw and settled in Scotland from Norway in the 10th century. The name changed to to Montealt, then Movat, through Movest, eventually settling at Moffat in its modern form. The town of Moffat in Dumfriesshire was named after the family. In 1268, Nicholas de Moffet was Bishop of Glasgow. In 1300, Robert the Bruce granted the barony of Westerkirk to the Moffats. Robert also granted the barony of Eskdale to Adam Moffat of Knock who fought at the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314. William de Moffete was Ambassador to England for King David II in 1336, and in 1337, Walter de Moffet, Archdeacon of Lothian, was appointed ambassador to France. The clan were raiders in the Borders and had many feuds with other clans, especially with the Johnstones. In 1557 the Johnstones murdered Clan Chief Robert Moffat, and slaughtered a great number of the clan. There was no chief between that date and 1983, when Francis Moffat was recognised as the chief.

Arms: Sable, a saltire and chief argent.

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).

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