Moffat History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms 

Origins Available: 
  Scotland 
  Ireland 
  England 


The Strathclyde-Briton people of ancient Scotland were the first to use the name Moffat. The Moffat family lived in the place called Moffatt, in Scotland. The place-name is derived from the Gaelic words magh and fada, which mean field and long. Hence, the surname Moffat means, from the long field.

Early Origins of the Moffat family

The surname Moffat was first found in Dumfriesshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Dhùn Phris), a Southern area, bordering on England that today forms part of the Dumfries and Galloway Council Area, at Annandale where the first on record was Nicholas de Mufet who began his life as a simple cleric and was first recorded as witness to a charter by Walter, bishop of Glasgow, some time before 1232. Approximately twenty years later, in 1250, he was made Archdeacon of Theuidale and eventually, in 1268, he was made Bishop of Glasgow. After only two years of holding the position of bishop, he died, in the year 1270. 1

Early History of the Moffat family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Moffat research. Another 110 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1296, 1348, 1467, 1553, 1604, 1795, 1815, 1870, 1883 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Moffat History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Moffat Spelling Variations

The variation in the spelling of Medieval names is a result of the lack of spelling rules in the English language prior to the last few hundred years. Before that time, scribes spelled according to sound, often varying the spelling of name within a single document. Moffat has appeared as Moffatt, Maffat, Maffett, Maffet, Moffat, Moffet, Moffett, Moffert, Moffertt, Moffit, Moffitt, Merphet, Merphett, Merfet, Merfett, Murphat, Murphatt, Murphet, Murphett, Muffat, Muffatt, Muffett, Muffet, Muffit and many more.

Early Notables of the Moffat family

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

Moffat World Ranking

In the United States, the name Moffat is the 12,371st most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 2 However, in New Zealand, the name Moffat is ranked the 765th most popular surname with an estimated 957 people with that name. 3 And in the United Kingdom, the name Moffat is the 1,000th popular surname with an estimated 6,930 people with that name. 4

Migration of the Moffat family to Ireland

Some of the Moffat family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 70 words (5 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Moffat migration to the United States +

As the persecution of Clan families continued, they sailed for North America in increasing numbers. In most cases, they found the freedom and opportunity they sought. Land was often available and the American War of Independence allowed Scots an opportunity to solidify their independence from the English crown. These settlers and their ancestors went on to play essential roles in the forging of the nations of the United States and Canada. Among them:

Moffat Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
Moffat Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Moffat migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Moffat Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Moffat migration to Australia +

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

Moffat Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Moffat 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:

Moffat Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Contemporary Notables of the name Moffat (post 1700) +


Suggested Readings for the name Moffat +
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