Moir 2468082 213685139 2008-05-20T12:06:20Z 80.169.42.186 '''Moir''' - [MOY-er] is a surname of [[Scotland|Scottish]] origin, falling under the [[Clan Gordon]] of the [[Scottish Highlands]]. The name in its present form dates from early in the [[second millennium]], A.D., and means "brave, renowned, mighty" in the Scots [[Scottish Gaelic language|Gaelic]] dialect but may also be derived from the Gaelic "Mor" which means "Big". The Moirs mostly hail from the [[Aberdeen]] and [[Glasgow]] area of [[Scotland]]. [[Robert I of Scotland]] (Robert the Bruce) was said to have favored the [[Knights Templar|Templars]], and gave them many gifts of land. One of the recipients of the king's good will was [[Reginald de la More]] (a Garlicized version of the Moir name), who may have been associated with the Templars. One of the most celebrated bearers of this surname was Sir [[Kenneth Moir]], a [[knight]] who, in [[1340]], rode with Sir [[James Douglas]] and the [[Crusade]]rs to [[Spain]] with the heart of Robert the Bruce to defeat the [[Moors]] who had laid siege to the fortress at Teba in [[Andalusia]]. During the conflict, Sir Kenneth was said to have beheaded three Moors with one blow of his sword, upon which, according to family tradition, one of the Scots cried "A good [[Christian]] Moir can slay three heathen Moors!" The family crest of the Moirs depicts a shield beset with laurels under a knight's helmet. Upon the shield are three Moorish heads with blood dripping from the necks. Alternate versions of the crest include a [[fleur-de-lis]] or a [[skull and crossbones]]. The Moir motto is "Virtute non aliter," which is Latin for "By virtue not otherwise." Alternate spellings of the name Moir include More, Moire and de la More. The names Moore, Moores and Mooers are related. Modern Moirs include comedian [[Vic Reeves]] (real name: Jim Moir), social philanthropist Ruth Moir, rock guitarist [[Gordon Moir]], and figure skaters [[Scott Moir]], [[Danny Moir]], and [[Sheri Moir]]. [[Category:Surnames]]