Show ContentsMouat History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The rugged terrain and rich ancestry of Scotland forms the backdrop to the origins of Mouat family surname. In Scotland, hereditary surnames were adopted according to fairly general rules during the late Middle Ages. The Mouat family lived in Angus, but the origin of the surname can be traced back to Normandy where it is thought to be derived from Mont Hault which means of "high mount."

Early Origins of the Mouat family

The surname Mouat was first found in Angus (Gaelic: Aonghas), part of the Tayside region of northeastern Scotland, and present day Council Area of Angus, formerly known as Forfar or Forfarshire, where they were granted lands by King David I of Scotland.

Early History of the Mouat family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Mouat research. Another 157 words (11 lines of text) covering the years 1066, 1130, 1296, 1304 and 1320 are included under the topic Early Mouat History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Mouat Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Mowatt, Mouat, Mowat, Mouatt and others.

Early Notables of the Mouat family

More information is included under the topic Early Mouat Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Mouat migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Mouat Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Peter Mouat, who settled in Philadelphia in 1840
Mouat Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • William Mouat, aged 56, who landed in America from Seaforth, in 1918
  • John Mouat, aged 36, who immigrated to the United States from Liverpool, England, in 1920
  • John Mouat, aged 26, who landed in America, in 1922
  • John B. Mouat, aged 25, who settled in America, in 1923
  • James Mouat, aged 29, who settled in America from Leith, Scotland, in 1923
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Canada Mouat migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Mouat Settlers in Canada in the 20th Century
  • Anthony Charles Mouat, aged 42, who immigrated to Victoria, B. C., Canada, in 1910

Australia Mouat migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Mouat Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Miss Barbara Mouat, (Johnstone), Scottish convict who was convicted in Perth, Scotland for 7 years, transported aboard the "Elizabeth and Henry" on 14th September 1846, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 1

New Zealand Mouat migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Mouat Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Mr. Charles Thomas Watts Mouat, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "England" arriving in Dunedin, Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 22nd September 1865 2
  • Thomas Mouat, aged 42, a fisherman, who arrived in Hawkes Bay aboard the ship "Clarence" in 1875
  • Tamar Mouat, aged 45, who arrived in Hawkes Bay aboard the ship "Clarence" in 1875
  • Margaret Mouat, aged 10, who arrived in Hawkes Bay aboard the ship "Clarence" in 1875
  • Peter Mouat, aged 8, who arrived in Hawkes Bay aboard the ship "Clarence" in 1875
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Mouat (post 1700) +

  • Mike Mouat (1954-1976), Canadian bronze medalist field hockey player at the 1976 Summer Olympics
  • Frederic John Mouat (1816-1897), British surgeon, Deputy Inspector-General of Hospitals in India, Professor of Medicine in the Bengal Medical College, President of the Royal Statistical Society in 1890
  • William Alexander Mouat (1821-1871), English master mariner and HBC employee
  • Surgeon General James Mouat VC KCB (1815-1899), English recipient of the Victoria Cross
  • Bernard Mouat (1882-1953), British chemist
  • John Mouat (1900-1945), Canadian politician
  • Sir George Mouat Keith (1764-1832), Scottish Royal Navy Lieutenant and Commander


The Mouat Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Monte alto
Motto Translation: The high mountain


  1. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 13th March 2022). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/elizabeth-and-henry
  2. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html


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