The families
of the Moray or Murray Clan are descended from the 12th Century Flemish warlord Freskin.
The surname derives from his acquisition of the ancient kingdom
of Moireabh (the modern district of Moray, pronounced 'Murray')
through the gift of King David I and marriage into the local Celtic royal
family. Over the centuries members of the family have added important
chapters to the pages of Scottish history...
Freskin's
grandsons included Hugh de Moravia (ancestor of the Gordon Earls of
Sutherland) and William de Moravia. William was father to Walter
de Moray of Pettie (ancestor of the Morays of Abercairny) and
a younger brother (ancestor of the Murrays of Tullibardine
later Dukes of Atholl). From the Murrays of Tullibardine also
derive
a number of other clan members including the
Murrays of Scone (Viscounts Stormont and Earls of Mansfield),
the Murrays of Lochan, the Murrays of Dollerie and Ochtertyre, the
Murrays of Strowan, and the Murrays of Tibbermuir...
Perhaps
the most renowned member of the clan in the early days was Walter de Moray's
grandson, Sir Andrew Moray
of Bothwell, who fought with William Wallace against Edward I for an
independent Scotland.
Andrew died from wounds received at the Battle of Stirling Bridge in 1297
after leading his army to victory...
Sir
Andrew's grandson Sir John Moray of Drumsargard received the lands of
Abercairny, Ogilvy and Glenservy as a dowry upon marrying Mary, daughter of Malise, the
Celtic Earl of Strathearn. Sir John's son Maurice was himself created Earl of
Strathearn in 1344...
In the 18th and 19th Centuries
the family acquired the additional surnames of Stirling, Home
(pronouced 'Hume') and Drummond. Major Charles Moray had married
the eldest daughter and heir of Sir William Stirling of Ardoch;
and his daughter, Christian, then married Henry Home Drummond
of Blair Drummond. Henry was the grandson of Lord Kames,
the famous leader of the Scottish
Enlightenment...
The Stirling Home Drummond
Moray family continue to live at Abercairny.
For more information
the history of the Murray Clan see the Murray Clan Society
page:
For useful links relating to local and family history
and local places of historic interest to visit:
