The House of Moray

The Moray Clan

the House of MacRory

The House of Moray (also known as the House of MacRory) is a historiographical and genealogical construct to illustrate the succession of rulers whose base was in the region of Moray. The House of Moray was distantly related to the rival House of MacAlpin.

The first monarch of the House of Moray was MacBeth, mormaer of Moray, son of Finlech MacRory, Mormaer of Moray and Donada, the daughter of Malcolm II, who married Gruoch, the grand­daughter of Kenneth III, Macbeth defeated Duncan I in battle at Elgin or murdered him shortly after the battle and usurped the throne of Scotland on 14th August 1040. He was determined, resolute and ambitious and an able king and ruled Scotland for seventeen years. The House of Moray did not occupy the throne of Scotland for long. Malcolm Canmore, the son of Duncan, took revenge for the murder of his father and killed Macbeth in battle at Lumphanan, Aberdeenshire, on the 15th of August, 1057.

Lulach, the son of Macbeth's wife Gruoch by her first husband Gillacomgain, was proclaimed king by supporters of the House of Moray in 1057. The tide was against them and the reign of Lulach proved to be a brief one. Malcolm Canmore again revenged himself upon the House of Moray and killed Lulach in battle at Essie in Strathbogie on the 17th of March, 1058. 13 Lulach had reigned for a mere seven months. Malcolm Canmore became Malcolm III, King of Scots and the House of Moray was never again to occupy the throne of Scotland.

Macbeth circa 1005 son of Findláech mac Ruaidrí, Mormaer of Moray and Donada, daughter of Malcolm II 1040-1057 Gruoch of Scotland

Lulach circa 1029 son of Gille Coemgáin of Moray and Gruoch of Scotland 1057 - 1058