Moubray

The ancient barony of Mombray in Calvados, France, is the probable origin of this name. Robert de Moubray witnessed a gift to the Abbey of Kelso in the reign of Malcolm IV in the mid twelfth century. Philip de Moubray was a counsellor to the king around 1208 and may have been the son of Robert. Roger de Mubray was sheriff of Edinburgh, Linlithgow and Haddington around 1225. The family appears to have adhered to the cause of Balliol, and much of their lands were forfeited after the victories of Robert the Bruce. However, their fortunes recovered, and they acquired the lands of Barnbugele in Fife. They also acquired the lands of Inverkeithing and the barony of Dalmeny, strategically placed on either side of the principal crossing of the River Forth near Edinburgh. Sir John Mowbray of Barnbugele gave part of his lands to his nephew, William Mowbray of Loch Cairny, by charter in 1511. Nisbet suggests that the Mowbrays enjoyed thefavour of several monarchs and that their arms – of a lion rampant wearing a crown – are a mark of this favour. The last Mowbray Laird of Barnbougle was Sir Robert, who died around 1675 without issue. The baronies of Barnbougle, Dalmeny and Inverkeithing, together with the castle of Barnbougle, passed into the hands of the Primroses and still form part of the Earl of Rosebery’s estate today.