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 Wikipedia Clan Muir From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia The tartan associated with Clan Muir was documented in John Ross's, Land of the Scottish Gael published in 1930.Clan Muir is an Armigerous Scottish clan, meaning that the clan doesn't have a chief recognized by the Court of the Lord Lyon.[1] The surnames Muir, Mure and Moore can be considered septs of Clan Campbell,[2] but more commonly associated with Clan Gordon. Origins and history The surname Muir is a topographical name meaning someone who lived on a moor. The name is derived from the Scots form of the Middle English word "more" which means moor or fen. Mures of Rowallan Rowallan Castle in 1876.[4]The family is said to have come from Ireland and the name to be of celtic origin. Polkelly seems to have been the most ancient property held in Scotland by the Mures. An Archibald Mure was slain at Berwick in 1298 when Baliol's army was routed. The Mures were prominent figures throughout the history of Scotland, from Sir J. Gilchrist Mure, who married the daughter and sole heir of Sir Walter Cumyn with the blessing of King Alexander III, for his part in the battle of Largs. This secured the family seat at Rowallan Castle. Another version states that Gilchrist Mure was dispossessed of the house and living at Rowallan by the strong hand of Sir Walter Cuming, and was compelled to keep close in his castle of Polkelly until the King Alexander III raised sufficient forces to subdue Cuming and his adherents. The family had held Rowallan, in this version, from unknown antiquity. The conjoined arms of the first Muir of Rowallan were visible on the oldest part of the castle up until the 18th century. Elizabeth Mure, daughter of Sir Adam Mure of Rowallan and Jannet Mure, was mistress to Robert Stewart (who later became Robert II of Scotland in 1371). Later on November 22, 1347 she married him by Papal dispensation to legitimize their previously born children. After their legal marriage, Elizabeth Mure was styled Countess of Atholl, and her surname became Stewart. Elizabeth died sometime before 1355. Sir J. Gilchrist Muir built two chapels, one at the Well named for Saint Laurence and the other at Banked named for Saint Michael. The vestiges of these were still visible in 1876. He also built the chapel of Kilmarnock, commonly called Muir's Isle (sic). One of the Sir Robert Mures was slain at the Battle of Sark. His namesake was called the Rud of Rowallane, being large in stature, very strong and prone to pugilism; these characteristics neatly define the meaning of this archaic . Scots word. He wasted his inheritance and during his lifetime a protracted feud took place with the house of Ardoch (Craufurdland) which resulted in much bloodshed. The 'Rud' resigned his lands in favour of his son John, who married a mistress of James IV. Campbells, Lairds of Rowallan Sir William Mure was the sixteenth and last Mure of Rowallan. He served in Germany under Gustavus Adolphus. One of his daughters married Sir James Campbell of Lawers, third son of the Earl of Loudoun, who thus became Laird of Rowallan. His son, Major-General James Mure Campbell of Rowallan (1726 - 86), became the fifth Earl of Loudoun in 1782. His only daughter's great-grandson, Charles Edward Abney-Hastings, eleventh Earl of Loudoun, succeeded in 1874 and held the lands of Rowallan as Laird. Cadet branches Sir Adam Mure's three younger brothers gave rise to numerous branches of the Mure family who settled in Caldwell, Aucheneil, Thornton, Glanderstoun, Treescraig, Auchendrane, Cloncaird, Craighead Park, Middleston, Spittleside and Brownhill. Clan Motto - Durum Patientia Franco (I overcome difficulties by patience).[11] 
ElectricScotland.com Motto: Durum patientia frango (Latin: By patience I break what is hard) Names associated with the clan: Moar Moare Moer Moir Moire Moor Moore More Moure Muir Muire Mur Mure Myre MUIR - The name means 'living by a moor or heath'. The future King Robert II married Elizabeth, daughter of Sir Adam Mure of Rowallan, in 1346. Ten years later the marriage was challenged, possibly on the grounds of there being a degree of consanguinity between them, and a dispensation was sought from the Pope. This was granted in 1347, when the legitimacy of their children, including the future King Robert III, was formally acknowledged. Sir William Mure of Rowallan (d. 1616) married Elizabeth, sister of the poet Alexander Montgomerie (1545-98), but the male Rowallan line ended in 1700 on the death of their great-grandson. Thanks to Kurt Moore for the following information Muir has three variations of meaning: large or big in Gaelic a moor or heath in Middle English, by the sea in Pictish the surname is found all over Scotland, especially west central Scotland and in the orkney islands where it is one of the top 10 commonly used names. in 1995, moore and Muir taken together was the 24th most frequent surname at the scottish registry office. The variant spellings are commonly found in these areas: MUIR - most common in Ayrshire and areas southwest MORE/MOORE/MURE - most common in the highlands MOAR - most common in The Orkney & Shetland MOIR - most common in Aberdeenshire * southwest MOHR - most common in central lowlands MOR - most common in central lowlands O'MORE - most common in Ireland 367 AD - Fergus Mor, from Ireland, invades Scotland defeats the Romans and becomes the first king of Dalriada, one of the 4 princedoms that eventually form into Scotland. 1071 - William the Conqueror invades Scotland 1072 - King Malcolm of Scotland capitulates to William the Conqueror 1200's: Chief family of the name = Mures of Rowallan, Ayrshire 1214-1249 - In the reign of King Alexander II, David De More witnessed a charter in Ayrshire 1291 - De La More surname found in area of Conyngham. Tthomas de la more was executor of the will of Dervorguilla (Devorgilla), mother of King John Balliol 1296 - King Edward I of England conquers Scotland - Ragman's Roll of Scottish Nobles: several of the name (Muir) render homages 1) Dovenal le Fiz Michel More de Levenaches 2) Adam de la More of County Ayr 3) Reginald (Renaud) del More of County Ayr 4) Gilcrist More of Ayrshire 5) Reynaud Mor of Cragg' of Lanarkshire 6) Symon de la Moore of Thangarstone (Thankerton) 1296 - Adam de la More and William de la More were jurors on the lands of Lady Elena la Zuche in Conyngham 1296 - Sir Archibald Muir fought at the siege of Berwick and was killed when the town was sacked by Edward I's army and Balliol's army routed. His son and successor, Sir William Muir was knighted by David II around 1357. He sent one of his sons as hostage to England for the ransom of the king. Gilcrist More - incurred the wrath of Sir Walter Cumyn but later married his daughter and secured the lands of Rowallan Castle near Kilmarnock in Ayrshire. His granddaughter, Elizabeth Mure of Rowallan, marries the future King Robert II in 1346. 1200's - A Muir heiresses lands in Fife Pass to the Leslies through a marriage to a Leslie chief. 1306 - Robert the Bruce crowned at Scone. 1314 - Battle of Bannockburn: Scots under Robert the Bruce defeat English. 1315-1321 - Ade More held lands of Beltone in Berwickshire 1317-1400's - Name of Muir/Moore spreads widely in area where the Norse language was still spoken, predominantly in the Orkneys and Shetland. 1317 - Robertus More became a burgess of Aberdeen. 1328 - English recognize Scottish independence. 1328-1329 - Air Adam More (knight) witnessed charters by Robert the Bruce. 1329 - Robert the Bruce dies. His son becomes King David II of Scotland. Sir William Muir knighted by David II. Around 1357, Sir William sends one of his sons as hostage to England for the ransom of the king. 1346 - Elizabeth Mure of Rowallan, daughter of Sir Adam Mure and Joanna (Janet) Danzielstour, marries Robert the Bruce's grandson, and future king, Robert II. Robert is the son of Robert the Bruce's daughter, Marjorie Bruce, and Walter Stewart, the High Steward of Scotland, a hereditary title. From this union comes the Stuart kings/queens of Scotland and England and, through the marriage of Elizadeth's and Robert's daughter, Jean (Joanna), to Sir John Lyon, Thane of Glamis (1372 by Robert II), are descended the earls of Strathmore and Kinghorne and the queen mother, Elizabeth, and her majesty, Queen Elizabeth II. 1369 - Adam of Mure was a juror on an inquest in Kirkwall. 1458 - Johannes Muir held a tenement in Glasgow. 1460 - John Mur of Enerothyll recorded as a witness in Ayr. 1469-1470 - John Mur (Muir) was Vicar General of the Predicant Order in Scotland (Friars Ayr) 1526 - Patrick Mur of Cloncard, follower of the Earl of Cassilis, was respited for murder. 1541 - Mathow Myrre was forspeaker (advocate) for John Myrre. 1543 - Mungo Muir supported his relative, the Regent Arran, during the minority rule of Mary, Queen of Scots, and fought for him at Glascow in 1543. He carried out significant improvements to the castle of Rowallan before being killed at the battle of Pinkie in 1547. 1547 - Family embraced the new reformed religion and became opponents of Mary, Queen of Scots. 1600's - Persecuted as covenanters 1638 - Scots rally around national covenant. Sir William Mure of Rowallan, covenanter, & sons and daughters. 1662 - Youngest son of Sir William Muir created Baronet of Nova Scotia. 1700 - Last acknowledged laird of the clan dies without a male heir, leaving clan without a leader. Clan fragments and seeks the protection of larger clans by being absorbed as a sept. Muirs immigrate to America, Australia, Canada. 1746 - Battle of Culloden. 1760 - Isobell Moor of Carleton (Kirkcudbright) recorded. 1770 - A line of Muir with a common descent from c. 1770 is linked to Clan Grant. Others linked with Leslie from a marriage in 13th century. Also absorbed by Gordons, Campeells, Donalds, and Stewarts. 1794 - Thomas Muir of Huntershill, advocate and reformer, was transported to Australia by legal system concerned that his support for the French revolution might take root. 1809 - Sir John Muir, military commander, fought against Napoleon and fell at the Battle of Corunna in Spain , 18 0 9 . 1830-1906 - Alexander Muir, born in Lesmahagow, immigrates to Canada as a child. Writes song, "The Maple Leaf Forever." 1838-1914 - John Muir born at Dunbar, 1838, immigrates with parents to United States of America, 184 9, and lives near Portage Wisconsin. Attends University of Wisconsin, but does not graduate, 1860-1863. Publishes "Thousand Mile Walk to the Gulf," 1867. Goes to Yosemite Valley in California, explores, studies area for 6 years, 1868. Becomes naturalist, explorer, writer of many books and journals, and first advocate of forest conservation in the U.S.A.. Responsible for establishment of the Yosemite National Park and he was the first president of Sierra Club. 1999-2001 - Clan Muir resurgence begins. Clan Muir society formed by Kurt Moore. Lurt Moore elected president of society, Hazel (Moore) Rae elected vice-president of society, Brent Moore elected treasurer of society. Andrew Moore of Ayrshire elected chief of the House of Muir by the members of the Clan. Guardians of the Clan Muir appointed by Chief Andrew: Kurt Moore, Andrew Neil Moore, Hazel Moore Rae. Conveners for the Clan Muir appointed by Andrew Moore: in United States of America: Brent Moore, Robert More, Roger Moore, Ashlynn Moore, John Moore, Sr, Jann Muir Ravenhawk, Carol Muir Fauster, John Paeth. Other notables of the name: John Muir who held the first chair of sanskrit at Edinburgh University, his brother, Sir William Muir, arabic scholar and expert on the early history of Islam, author of a biography of Mohammed. Sir Thomas Muir mathematician and scholar at University of Edinburgh. Edwin Muir, poet and translator. Sir John Muir one of britains most able and popular generals. James Moore, fiction writer, published five books on science fiction and horror. Brandy Moore, poet, first published at age 15, Jay Leno (via his mother) comedian and host of the Tonight Show, John C. Muir, Robert Muir, James Muir, William Muir, and Joseph Muir; five brothers in three branches of the service who served during WWII, Korean War, and Vietnam War, all well decorated (including the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal, and, in peace time, Formosan wings. Ellison Moore fought in the Persian Gulf War, awarded the Bronze Star medal. 
www.scotclans.com MoreMotto: Durum patientia frango (I overcome difficulty by patience)Origin of name: Gaelic "Mor", large History This name is found in a number of variants throughout Scotland - in the northern isles Moar is common, while the Aberdonian spelling of Moir is to be found on and around the east coast. In the lowlands, neither of these spellings is to be found, though the name Muir is very widespread. The gaelic 'mór' is translated as 'large' or 'big', and the surname may simply refer to such physical attributes. As one of the commonest descriptive titles given to a man, in the oldest surviving tongue of the country, it is hardly surprising that the name is widely dispersed in its variants. An alternative lowland derivation of the name comes from the middle English for a "low grassy hill or heath", but this seems to have no connection with the highland branches of the clan. The name More first crops up in Scotland in the thirteenth century, and gained prominence in 1317 when Robertus More became a burgess of Aberdeen. In the following century, the name appears prevalent in areas in which the Norse tongue was still spoken, most notably Orkney and Shetland. The chief family of the lowland branches were the Mures of Rowallan in Ayrshire. One of the daughters of Sir Adam Mure married the future King Robert II and ensured the prosperity of this line of the family. This prosperity continued until the male line died out in 1700, when the family were persecuted as Covenanters. The family estates were lost at this time, and eventually passed to the Earls of Loudon. 
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