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Author Topic:   Looking for Mofat (or the like) Castle
Moffitt45
Member
posted 03-05-2000 03:35 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Moffitt45   Click Here to Email Moffitt45     Edit/Delete Message
Hello - I'm new to the board, and I'm trying to get into family history a little more. I was wondering if anyone can give me information on a Mofat Castle ( or any other spelling; Moffitt, Moffit, Moffet, etc) anywhere in Europe. I'm not sure of its location, but I've heard it exists, and I was curious! If anyone has any information, please e-mail me (easiest) or post it and I will check back. Thank you.

Levan
Moderator
posted 03-06-2000 04:05 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Levan   Click Here to Email Levan     Edit/Delete Message
There are a number of castles in the parish of Moffat, Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland:

Mellingshaw Tower (built C17 by the Johnston family - now ruin)

Corehead Tower (built C16 - nothing remains)

Blacklaw Tower (built C16 for Lyndsay, later held by Maxwells and Johnstons - now ruin)

Cornal Tower (built late C16 for Caruthers, held by Johnston then Queensbury - ruin)

Dumcreiff Tower (built C15 for Burghley - nothing visible remains)

Craigieburn Castle (built C15 - no visible remains)

Bodesbeck Castle (built C15 - no visible remains)

Runstonfoote Castle (built C15 for Burghley - ruin)

Auldton Mote, also known as Moffat Motte (a Saxon motte and bailey on the outskirts of Moffat - foundations remain).

Unfortunately, as you'll have seen, the names of these castles have no association with their owners/buiders. This seems to be typical in Scotland, so going on the names of the castle is unlikely, I'm afraid, to help you trace your ancestory if it's in Scotland.

Hope this helps
Levan

[This message has been edited by Levan (edited 03-06-2000).]

wurdsmiff
unregistered
posted 03-06-2000 10:12 AM           Edit/Delete Message
The surname indeed derives from this parish,
in all its various spellings, Moffatt, Mofatt
Moffat, Mefatt Meffatt Moffit.......also variously spelt with i's, o's, and even a w after the m.
The name was recorded in 1232 when Nicholas de Mufet a cleric, witnessed a charter by the Bishop of Glasgow. In 1251 he again appeared as archdeacon of 'Theiudale', and became Bishop of Glasgow himself in 1268, though died in 1270 before being consecrated.
A Robert de Muffet, and a Thomas Mofffet rendered homage in 1296. By 1587 the Moffatts were included amongst the unruly clans of the WestMarch, and Robert Moffat the missionary was father in law to David Livingstone.
There are other castle sites within the area, though none built by families of the name. It is possible that one or two of these have alternate names mentioned above.
Raecleugh Tower,ruined, a 17th century house of the Johnstones.
Kinnelhead Tower, a 16th century ruin.
Wamphray Tower,further south,site only, Johnstone.
Auchen Castle, 13th century ruin,Randolf Earl of Moray,Dunbar, Douglas, Maitland, Younger(a later house nearby).
Lochwood Tower, 15th - 16th century, substantial ruin, Johnstone.
Breconside Tower, incorporated within more modern house, Johnstone.
Frenchland Tower, altered tower house, French.
The Motte at Moffatt was more likely built by a Norman or Flemish immigrant around 1160.
The lands of Annandale, at the head of which stands Moffatt,were settled by David 1 on one Robert de Brus, whose descendants became Lords of Annandale, Earls of Carrick, and then the last of the Robert Bruces became King Robert 1. It is equally possible that the Moffatt portion was settled on a vassal of de Brus.

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[This message has been edited by wurdsmiff (edited 03-06-2000).]

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