Elgin Genealogical Records

Elgin Birth & Baptism Records

Baptism Registers of Elgin (1609-1854)

The registers of baptisms for Elgin provide details on parentage and are the primary source for such information before 1855.

Baptism Registers of Moray (1609-1854)

The baptism registers of Moray are the primary source for birth details before civil registration. A full index to names with original images of the registers are available between and . Entries usually contain date of birth and/or baptism, parents' names (with mother's maiden name) and occasionally father's occupation and witnesses.

Scotland Statutory Births (1855-2009)

An index to all foreign, domestic, air-borne, consular, High Commission, marine and military births registered by the Scottish government. The index is linked to images of birth registers from 100 or more years ago. They contain a great deal of information, including parent's full names, date and place of birth, date and place of parent's marriage and more.

Baptism Registers of Scotland (1553-1871)

The baptism registers of Scotland provide details of births from to . Entries usually record parents' names (with mother's maiden name) and date of birth and/or baptism.

British Birth and Baptism Records (1400-2010)

A collection of indexes and transcripts of birth and baptism records that cover over 250 million people. Includes digital images of many records.

Elgin Marriage & Divorce Records

Marriage Registers of Elgin (1705-1854)

The marriage registers of Elgin are the primary source for marriage details before civil registration. A full index to names with original images of the registers are available between 1705 and 1854.

Marriage Registers of Moray (1634-1854)

The marriage registers of Moray are the primary source for marriage details before civil registration. A full index to names with original images of the registers are available between and .

Scotland Statutory Marriages (1855-2012)

An index to all foreign, domestic and military marriages recorded by the Scottish government. The index is linked to digital images of records more than 75 years old. Details given include date & place of marriage, full names of all parents and more.

Marriage Registers of Scotland (1553-1885)

The marriage registers of Scotland are the primary source for marriage details before civil registration. A full index to names with original images of the registers are available between and .

British Marriage Records (1392-2011)

A collection of indexes and transcripts of marriage records that cover over 160 million people. Includes digital images of many records.

Elgin Death & Burial Records

Burial Registers of Elgin (1770-1854)

Prior to civil registration in 1855, the burial registers of Elgin are the most common place to turn for details on deaths. Entries usually contain no more than the deceased's name and date of death or burial.

Burial Registers of Moray (1635-1854)

Prior to civil registration in 1855, the burial registers of Moray are the most common place to turn for details on deaths. Entries usually contain no more than the deceased's name and date of death or burial.

Scotland Statutory Deaths (1855-2012)

An index to all foreign, domestic, air-borne, consular, High Commission, marine and military deaths registered by the Scottish government. The index is linked to images of death registers from 50 or more years ago. They contain a great deal of information, including parent's full names, date and place of death, age and more.

Deceased Online (1629-Present)

Images of millions of pages from cemetery and crematoria registers, photographs of memorials, cemetery plans and more. Records can be search by a name index.

Burial Registers of Scotland (1549-1920)

The burial registers of Scotland provide details of deaths from to . Entries usually record no more than the deceased's name; occasionally an age and cause of death are given.

Elgin Census & Population Lists

1911 Census of Scotland (1911)

Documents listing households and residents throughout Scotland. The records include family relations, gender, age, occupation, place of birth, employment status, number of years married, number of children living and deceased, nationality, whether an individual could speak Gaelic, number of windows in property and some infirmities.

1901 British Census (1901)

The 1901 census provides details on an individual's age, residence, place of birth, relations and occupation. FindMyPast's index allows searches on for multiple metrics including occupation and residence.

1901 Census of Scotland (1901)

Documents listing households and residents throughout Scotland. The records include family relations, gender, age, occupation, place of birth, employment status, whether an individual could speak Gaelic, number of windows in property and some infirmities.

Scottish Valuation Rolls (1895-1920)

Inventories of all land and buildings in Scotland. They give a description of the property, the name of the owner, tenant & occupier and the rates due on the property.

1891 British Census (1891)

The 1891 census provides details on an individual's age, residence, place of birth, relations and occupation. FindMyPast's index allows searches on for multiple metrics including occupation and residence.

Newspapers Covering Elgin

Elgin Courier (1845-1867)

This fully searchable newspaper will provide a rich variety of information about the people and places of the Elgin district. Includes family announcements.

Elgin Courant, and Morayshire Advertiser (1839-1862)

This fully searchable newspaper will provide a rich variety of information about the people and places of the Elgin district. Includes family announcements.

The Daily Herald (1926)

A London newspaper that later became The Sun.

The Sunday Post (1915-1950)

A popular Scottish tabloid.

Daily Herald (1914-1918)

A left-wing, British daily that sold up to 2 million copies a day at its peak.

Elgin Wills & Probate Records

Scottish Wills & Testaments (1500-1925)

An index to testators and the subject's of other testamentary documents. The index is linked to digital images of the documents. An account is required to search the index.

Prerogative Court of Canterbury Wills (PPV) (1384-1858)

A index to testators whose will was proved in the Prerogative Court of Canterbury. They principally cover those who lived in the lower two thirds of Britain, but contain wills for residents of Scotland, Ireland, British India and other countries. A copy of each will may be purchased for digital download.

Prerogative Court of Canterbury Wills (Subscription) (1384-1858)

An index and digital images of PCC wills, available on a subscription basis.

British Wills and Probate Records (1163-1999)

A collection of indexes, abstracts, transcripts and digital images of over 5.5 million wills, administrations and other probate records.

British Inheritance Disputes Index (1574-1714)

An index to almost 78,000 wills that were disputed. The index can lead you to documents that may shed a great deal of genealogical information as disputes often arose between siblings and cousins.

Elgin Immigration & Travel Records

Passenger Lists Leaving UK (1890-1960)

A name index connected to original images of passenger lists recording people travelling from Britain to destinations outside Europe. Records may detail a passenger's age or date of birth, residence, occupation, destination and more.

UK Incoming Passenger Lists (1878-1960)

A full index of passenger lists for vessels arriving in the UK linked to original images. Does not include lists from vessels sailing from European ports. Early entries can be brief, but later entries may include dates of births, occupations, home addresses and more. Useful for documenting immigration.

Victoria Assisted & Unassisted Passenger Lists (1839-1923)

An index to and images of documents recording over 1.65 million passengers who arrived in Victoria, Australia, including passengers whose voyage was paid for by others.

17th Century British Emigrants to the U.S. (1600-1700)

Details on thousands of 17th century British immigrants to the U.S., detailing their origins and nature of their immigration.

Migration from North America to Britain & Ireland (1858-1870)

A list of over 40,000 passengers traveling from North America to the British Isles. Details of passengers may include: occupation, nationality, gender, age, martial status, class, destination, and details of the vessel they sailed on.

Elgin Military Records

Prisoners of War of British Army (1939-1945)

A searchable list of over 100,000 British Army POWs. Records contains details on the captured, their military career and where they were held prisoner.

British Prisoners of World War II (1939-1945)

Details on around 165,000 men serving in the British Army, Navy and Air Force who were held as prisoners during WWII.

British Army WWI Medal Rolls (1914-1920)

Index and original images of over 5 million medal index cards for British soldiers It can be searched by individual's name, Coprs, Unit and Regiment. Due to the loss of many WWI service records, this is the most complete source for British WWI soldiers

British Army WWI Service Records (1914-1920)

This rich collection contains contains records for 1.9 million non-commissioned officers and other ranks who fought in WWI. Due to bomb damage in WWI, around 60% of service records were lost. Documents cover: enlistment, medical status, injuries, conduct, awards and discharge. A great deal of genealogical and biographical documentation can be found in these documents, including details on entire families, physical descriptions and place of birth.

Silver War Badges (1914-1920)

An index to nearly 900,000 military personnel who were awarded the Silver War Badge for sustaining injures. Records include rank, regimental number, unit, dates of enlistment and discharge, and reason for discharge.

UK Lunacy Patients Admission Registers (1846-1912)

Digital images, searchable by a name index, of registers recording the admittance and discharge of over 840,000 people to insane asylums.

Register of The Privy Council of Scotland (1545-1632)

The Privicy Council dealt with a wide spectrum of issues pertaining to administration, the economy, politics and social affairs.

Licences of Parole for Female Convicts (1853-1887)

Details on the parole and revocation thereof, of over 4,400 female prisoners.

Perry's Bankrupt Gazette (1828-1867)

A publication giving brief details of bankruptcies, including the names of parties and companies involed.

Scottish Covenanters (1679-1688)

A list of over 81,000 Presbyterian opponents of the Catholic church. Entries may list name, occupation, residence, names of relatives and other details.

Elgin Taxation Records

Scottish Valuation Rolls (1895-1920)

Inventories of all land and buildings in Scotland. They give a description of the property, the name of the owner, tenant & occupier and the rates due on the property.

Tithe Apportionments (1836-1856)

An index to 11,000,000 parcels of land and property, connected to digital images of registers that record their owner, occupier, description, agricultural use, size and rateable value.

Duties Paid for Apprentices' Indentures (1710-1811)

An index linked to original images of registers recording apprenticeship indentures. Details are given on the trade and nature of apprenticeship. Many records list the parents of the apprentice.

Revenues of Excise Settlement & Customs in Scotland (1656)

A report detailing the manner in which customs and excise are dealt with in Scotland.

Elgin Land & Property Records

Scottish Valuation Rolls (1895-1920)

Inventories of all land and buildings in Scotland. They give a description of the property, the name of the owner, tenant & occupier and the rates due on the property.

Landowners of Scotland (1873)

A list of people who owned more than one acre of land in Scotland. Lists a landowner's residence, acreage and estimated gross yearly rental.

Tithe Apportionments (1836-1856)

An index to 11,000,000 parcels of land and property, connected to digital images of registers that record their owner, occupier, description, agricultural use, size and rateable value.

Perthshire Cess, Stent and Valuation Rolls (1650-1899)

A collection of various land valuation documents extending as far back as 1650, but primarily covering the period after 1884. Useful for establishing the ancestry of land owners and their tenants.

UK Poll Books and Electoral Rolls (1538-1893)

Poll books record the names of voters and the direction of their vote. Until 1872 only landholders could vote, so not everyone will be listed. Useful for discerning an ancestor's political leanings and landholdings. The collection is supplemented with other records relating to the vote.

Elgin Directories & Gazetteers

ScotlandsPlaces Gazetteer (2010-Present)

A detailed gazetteer of localities, geographic features, buildings and other features in Scotland.

Directory of Engineering, Hardware & Metal Trades (1934)

Breif details of companies engaged in or related to the engineering, metal and motor trades industries. Organised by trade and place.

Slater's Directory of Scottish Counties (1921)

Historical and contemporary descriptions of settlements, detailing their governance, churches, schools etc.; to which is appended lists of residents, with their occupations.

Thom's Official Directory of Great Britain & Ireland (1914)

A directory of the court, parliament, aristocracy, mayors, civil service, military, militia and banks in the British Empire.

Kelly's Clergy Directory (1909)

A directory of the Church of England, its institutions and ministers.

Elgin Cemeteries

Deceased Online (1629-Present)

Images of millions of pages from cemetery and crematoria registers, photographs of memorials, cemetery plans and more. Records can be search by a name index.

Billion Graves (1200-Present)

Photographs and transcriptions of millions of gravestones from cemeteries around the world.

Mausolea and Monuments (1500-Present)

Profiles of several hundred mausolea found in the British Isles.

Scotland Church Monuments (1300-1900)

Photographs and descriptions of Scotland's most illustrious church monuments, often featuring effigies, medieval inscriptions and heraldic devices.

Maritime Memorials (1588-1950)

Several thousand transcribed memorials remembering those connected with the nautical occupations.

Elgin Obituaries

iAnnounce Obituaries (2006-Present)

The UKs largest repository of obituaries, containing millions of searchable notices.

United Kingdom and Ireland Obituary Collection (1882-Present)

A growing collection currently containing over 425,000 abstracts of obituaries with reference to the location of the full obituary.

Quakers Annual Monitor (1847-1848)

A collection of 364 obituaries of Quakers from the British Isles. The volume was published in 1849 and includes obituaries of those who died in late 1847 through 1848.

Musgrave's Obituaries (1421-1800)

This transcribed and searchable work by Sir William Musgrave contains 10,000s of brief obituaries. The work is a reference point for other works containing information on an individual.

British Medical Journal (1849-Present)

A text index and digital images of all editions of a journal containing medical articles and obituaries of medical practitioners.

Elgin Histories & Books

Moray Church Photographs (1890-Present)

Photographs and images of churches in Moray.

Geograph: Photos of the UK and Ireland (2005-Present)

A growing database including millions of photographs of the United Kingdom, Isle of Man and Ireland catalogued by latitude & longitude and OS grid reference.

Britain from Above (1919-1953)

Ariel photographs of the British Isles. Browsable by location.

UK & Ireland Historical Postcards (1885-1950)

Over 19,000 postcards depicting places in the UK & Ireland.

UK Photos (1857-2005)

A collection of 220,000 professional photos covering most towns and villages in Britain, and parts of Ireland.

Elgin School & Education Records

Edinburgh University Roll of Honour (1914-1919)

Contains dates and information (and photographs of the fallen where available) for members of Edinburgh University who served and fell during The Great War. Also includes a section on orders, decorations and dispatches.

Oxford University Alumni (1500-1886)

A name index linked to original images of short biographies for over 120,000 Oxford University students. This is a particularly useful source for tracing the ancestry of the landed gentry.

Cambridge University Alumni (1261-1900)

A transcript of a vast scholarly work briefly chronicling the heritage, education and careers of over 150,000 Cambridge University students. This is a particularly useful source for tracing the ancestry of the landed gentry.

Cambridge Alumni Database (1198-1910)

A searchable database containing over 90,000 note-form biographies for students of Cambridge University.

Britain School & University Memorial Rolls (1914-1918)

Details of around 60,000 alumni who fought in WWI.

Elgin Occupation & Business Records

British Trade Union Membership Registers (1870-1999)

An index to and images of registers recording over 3.7 million trade union members.

UK Medical Registers (1859-1959)

Books listing doctors who were licensed to operate in Britain and abroad. Contains doctor's residencies, qualification and date of registration.

Railway Employment Records (1833-1963)

A rich collection of records documenting those who worked for railway companies that were later absorbed by the government. Records include: staff registers, station transfers, pensions, accident records, apprentice records, caution books, and memos. Records may include date of birth, date of death and name of father.

Royal Navy Medical Journals (1817-1857)

Indexed medical journals from British ships containing personal and medical details of patients. The journals list names, ages, rank/status, diseases, illness duration and notes on symptoms and treatment. Contains details on military men as well as people immigrating or being deported to colonies.

British Postal Service Appointment Books (1737-1969)

This collection gives brief details on the appointment of over 1.4 million people who worked for the Post Office. Includes references to corresponding data in the Postmaster General’s minute books and is a starting point for research in the rich archive of the British Postal Museum.

Pedigrees & Family Trees Covering Elgin

Scotland Public Register of Arms (1672-1913)

Digital images of registers recording those who are eligible to bear coats of arms in Scotland. The records can contain genealogical tracts and renderings of the arms.

British & Irish Royal & Noble Genealogies (491-1603)

Extensive and impeccably sourced genealogies for British, Irish & Manx royalty and nobility. Scroll down to 'British Isles' for relevant sections.

FamilySearch Community Trees (6000 BC-Present)

A searchable database of linked genealogies compiled from thousands of reputable and not-so-reputable sources. Contains many details on European gentry & nobility, but covers many countries outside Europe and people from all walks of life.

Debrett's Peerage (1923)

A searchable book, listing pedigrees of titled families and biographies of their members.

Dod's Peerage, Baronetage & Knightage of Britian (1902)

A book containing genealogies and biographies of Britain's titled families.

Elgin Royalty, Nobility & Heraldry Records

Scotland Public Register of Arms (1672-1913)

Digital images of registers recording those who are eligible to bear coats of arms in Scotland. The records can contain genealogical tracts and renderings of the arms.

British & Irish Royal & Noble Genealogies (491-1603)

Extensive and impeccably sourced genealogies for British, Irish & Manx royalty and nobility. Scroll down to 'British Isles' for relevant sections.

FamilySearch Community Trees (6000 BC-Present)

A searchable database of linked genealogies compiled from thousands of reputable and not-so-reputable sources. Contains many details on European gentry & nobility, but covers many countries outside Europe and people from all walks of life.

Debrett's Peerage, Baronetage & Knightage (1921)

A dictionary of families elevated to the peerage of Great Britain & Ireland. It includes genealogies and biographical details.

Burke's Landed Gentry of Britain & Ireland (1885)

Lineages of Britain and Ireland's untitled landed families; supplemented with biographical sketches.

Elgin Church Records

Old Parish Registers of Elgin (1609-1854)

The old parish registers of Elgin provide details of births, marriages and deaths from 1609 to 1854. Deaths and burials were often not recorded or the registers have not survived.

Old Parish Registers of Moray (1609-1854)

The baptism registers of Moray are the primary source for birth details before civil registration. A full index to names with original images of the registers are available between and . Entries usually contain date of birth and/or baptism, parents' names (with mother's maiden name) and occasionally father's occupation and witnesses.

Scotland Parish Registers (1914-2013)

Prior to civil registration in 1855, the parish registers of Scotland are the most common place to turn for details on births, marriages and deaths.

Old Parish Registers of Scotland (1549-1920)

Index to names and images of the original baptism registers of Scotland. They commonly record the date of birth or baptism with parents' names (often including the mother's maiden name).

Scotland Parish Registers (1538-1855)

The parish registers of Scotland are a collection of books documenting baptisms, marriages and burials from 1817 to 1934.

Biographical Directories Covering Elgin

Debrett's Peerage (1923)

A searchable book, listing pedigrees of titled families and biographies of their members.

Dod's Peerage, Baronetage & Knightage of Britian (1902)

A book containing genealogies and biographies of Britain's titled families.

Dod's Peerage, Baronetage & Knightage of Britian (1885)

A book containing genealogies and biographies of Britain's titled families.

Crockford's Clerical Directories (1868-1914)

Brief biographies of Anglican clergy in the UK.

Jacobites of North East Scotland (1715-1745)

A compendium of biographies of thousands of Scottish Jacobites.

Elgin Maps

Maps of Elgin & Morayshire (1662-1896)

Images of maps covering Elgin & Morayshire.

UK Popular Edition Maps (1919-1926)

Detailed maps covering much of the UK. They depict forests, mountains, larger farms, roads, railroads, towns, and more.

Ordnance Survey 1:10 Maps (1840-1890)

Maps showing settlements, features and some buildings in mainland Britain.

Tithe Apportionments (1836-1856)

An index to 11,000,000 parcels of land and property, connected to digital images of registers that record their owner, occupier, description, agricultural use, size and rateable value.

Parish Maps of Britain (1832)

Maps of parishes in England, Scotland and Wales. They are useful in determining which parish records may be relevant to your research.

Elgin Reference Works

Scotland Research Guide (1538-Present)

A beginner’s guide to researching ancestry in Scotland.

Building History Research Guide (1066-Present)

A comprehensive guide to researching the history of buildings in the British Isles.

Surname Origins (1790-1911)

A service that provides advanced and custom surname maps for the British Isles and the US.

British Family Mottoes (1189-Present)

A dictionary of around 9,000 mottoes for British families who had right to bear arms.

Heraldry Clipart (1189-Present)

A growing collection of heraldic and related clip art that can be used to reconstruct a families' arms. Includes packs for British, German, Austrian, Spanish, Italian, Danish, Polish, Portuguese, French, Swiss and Dutch arms. Images are available in a variety of formats including vectors.

Historical Description

The parish of Elgin is about ten miles long and six broad; and contains 4,024 houses, and 4,345 inhabitants, viz. 1,857 males, and 2,488 females; of whom 710 were returned, by the late population act, as being chiefly employed ill agriculture, and 1,675 in trade and manufacture.

The town of Elgin is situated the northeast corner of the parish, on the banks of the river Losse; three miles from its influx into the German ocean: the river winds along the north and eastern quarters of the town, which has the accommodation of three handsome stone bridges.

Elgin is a royal burgh, and the capital of the county; it is supposed to have been built by Helgy, general of Sigurd earl of Orkney, in the year 927, who conquered Caithness, Sutherland, Ross, and Murray. It was anciently defended by a castle; and a fort was built in the reign of William the Lion, the ruins of which are still visible. At the beginning of the eleventh century, we are told that the bishops of Scotland wore blue gowns, with their hair tucked up under a cap, without any particular diocese, but travelling from one part to another; they occasionally made use of different churches, especially Bruneth or Birny, Spynie, and Kinnedor, as cathedrals; and about the year 1200, Bishop Briceus first established his see at Spynie.

In the year 1224 the see was removed from Spynie to Elgin, by Bishop Andrew, at the request of the chapter and King Alexander II. having obtained a bull from Pope Honorius. I appears that there was a church here before the translation, which probably was taken down as soon as the new one was finished, as being too mean for a cathedral. Bishop Andrew Murray is said to have laid the foundation stone of the new cathedral church, on the very day on which the translation was declared, viz. 19th of July, 1224. After this church had stood 166 years from the date of its foundation, it was burned down in the year 1390, by Alexander Stewart, Lord of Badenoch, commonly called the Wolf of Badenoch, son of king Robert II. for which he was excommunicated; but on making due submission, and reparation, was again received into the church.

The church at length being rebuilt, it remained entire for many years, till in the beginning of the sixteenth century, about the year 1506, the great steeple the centre fell down; the next year Bishop Foreman began to rebuild it, but the work was not finished before the year 1538.

This church (says Shaw) when entire was a building of Gothic architecture inferior to few in Europe; it stood due east and west, in the form of a passion or Jerusalem cross, ornamented with five towers, whereof two parallel stood on the west end, one in the middle, and two on the east end; betwixt the two towers on the west end was the great porch or entrance.

It is a mistake that this stately edifice was either burnt or demolished by the mob at the Reformation. The following act of privy council proves the contrary.

Edinburgh, Feb. 14, 1567-8."Seeing provision must be made for entertaining the men of war (soldiers), whose service cannot be spared, until the rebellious and disobedient subjects be reduced; therefore appoint, that the lead be taken from the cathedral churches in Aberdeen and Elgin, and sold for sustentation of the said men of war, and command and charge the Earl of Huntley, sheriff of Aberdeen, and his deputies; Alexander Dunbar of Cumnock, knight, sheriff of Elgin and Forres, and his deputies; William, bishop of Aberdeen; Patrick, bishop of Murray, &c. that they defend and assist Alexander Clerk, and William Bernie, and their servants in taking down, and selling the said lead, &c. signed R. M." The lead was accordingly taken off the churches, and shipped at Aberdeen for Holland; but soon after the ship had left the river it sunk, which was owing, as many thought, to the superstition of the Roman Catholic captain. Be this as it may, the cathedral of Murray being uncovered, was suffered to decay as a piece of Romish vanity, too expensive to be kept in repair. Some painted rooms in the towers and choir remained so entire about the year 1640, that Roman Catholics repaired to them, there to say their prayers.

The great tower, in the middle of the church, being uncovered, the wood work gradually decayed, and the foundation failing, the tower fell in 1711. on a Peace Sunday in the morning; several children were playing, and idle people walking within the area of the church, and immediately as they removed to breakfast the tower fell down, and no one was hurt.

The college when at Spynie, consisted of a dean, chancellor, archdeacon, chanter, treasurer, and eight canons, instituted by bishop Bercius; on the translation, the canons were increased to twenty-two. The precinct here was walled round with a strong stone wall, four yards high, and nine hundred in circuit. It had four gates; the east, called the Watergate or the Pan’sport, appears to have had an iron door, a portcullis, and a porter’s lodge; probably the other gates, now fallen, had the same fences. Within this area stood the cathedral and the canons’ houses. .

On July 3, 1402, Alexander Macdonald, third son of the lord of the Isles, entered the college of Elgin, wholly spoiled and plundered it, and burnt great part of the town; for this he and his officers were excommunicated, but afterwards absolved, on paying a sum of money, applied to the erection of a cross and bells on that part of the chancery which was nearest the bridge of Elgin.

The municipal constitution of Elgin derived in 1234, from Alexander II. is now composed of seventeen magistrates, annually elected by themselves. The number of inhabitants of the town is nearly 3,900. and that of the country parish about 500.

At Pluscardin, six miles southwest from Elgin, was a priory, founded by King Alexander II. in the year 1230. It was dedicated to the honour of St. Andrew, and named Vallis St. Andreae. It was peopled with monks of Vallis Caulium, a reform of the Cistertians, following the rule of St. Benedict. They derived their appellation from the first priory of that congregation, which was founded by Virard, in the diocese of Langres in France, between Dijon and Autun, in Burgundy, in the year 1193. By their constitution they were obliged to live an austere and solitary life. None but the prior and procurator were allowed to go without the precinct of the monastery, for any reason whatsoever. They were brought into Scotland by William Malvoisin, bishop of St. Andrew's, in the year 1230, and were settled at Pluscardin, Beaulieu, and Ardchattan. These monks for some time strictly observed the constitutions of their order, but at length relaxing in their discipline, and by degrees becoming vicious, the monastery was reformed, and from an independent house, was degraded to a cell of the abbey of Dunfermline. The walls of the precinct are almost entire, and make nearly a square figure. The church stands about the middle of the square; it is a fine edifice, in the form of a cross, with a square tower in the middle, all of hewn stone. The oratory and refectory join to the south end of the church, under which is the dormitory.

The chapter-house is a piece of curious workmanship. Shaw calls it an octagonal cube (by which probably he means that its height is equal to its diameter). The vaulted roof of this building is supported by one pillar. The lodgings of the prior, and cells of the monks were all contiguous to the church. Here are in different parts, paintings in fresco on the walls.

Within the precincts were gardens and green walks. In a word, the remains of this priory shew, that these monks lived in a stately palace, and not in mean cottages. The glen in which it is situated is the property of the Earl of Fife.

Topography of Great Britain (1829) by George Alexander Cooke

Most Common Surnames in Elgin

RankSurnameIncidenceFrequencyPercent of ParentRank in Moray
1Grant2351:3813.06%1
2McKenzie2271:3917.72%2
3McDonald2051:4316.27%3
4Anderson2001:4426.25%8
5Fraser1891:4716.49%4
6Smith1831:4819.45%6
7Ross1791:4915.73%5
8Simpson1351:6525.33%12
9Gordon1251:7130.19%17
10Cameron1131:7819.65%11
11Robertson1061:8316.16%9
12Munro1051:8420.55%14
13Reid961:9220.38%15
14Allan871:10129.29%32
14Forsyth871:10123.32%20
16Russell831:10636.73%44
17Murdoch801:11041.67%52
18Scott791:11222.57%23
19Watson741:11934.10%46
20Falconer731:12130.42%43
21Taylor711:12420.88%24
21McKay711:12422.47%28
21Christie711:12442.51%62
24Asher691:12854.33%82
25Campbell671:13217.63%18
26Stewart631:1408.18%7
26Morrison631:14022.50%36
26Milne631:14017.40%22
26McIntosh631:14010.94%10
30O'Gilvie621:14257.41%96
31Davidson601:14716.53%21
32Walker591:15047.97%84
33Masson571:15521.84%40
34Hay551:16119.71%37
35Thomson541:16417.31%29
35McLeod541:16419.93%39
37Clark531:16719.00%37
37McLean531:16717.32%30
39McPherson521:17012.04%16
39Sim521:17026.53%51
41Duncan491:18014.63%25
42Stuart481:18419.83%42
42Innes481:18415.84%31
42Urquhart481:18434.53%74
45Brown461:19220.54%45
45Murray461:19213.98%26
45Sutherland461:19212.17%19
48Young451:19615.36%33
49Mitchell431:20513.56%27
50Wilson421:21021.11%48
51Robb411:21533.33%84
52Gray401:22122.22%55
53Gow391:22667.24%151
54Jenkins381:23233.04%90
54Henderson381:23224.05%65
54Dean381:23219.10%48
57Laing371:23921.51%58
58Rose361:24519.35%54
58Logie361:24530.77%88
60George351:25243.75%117
60Nicol351:25235.71%100
62Wright341:26022.37%67
63Stephen331:26819.64%60
63Sime331:26838.37%111
65Williamson321:27622.70%72
65Hardie321:27637.21%111
65Harrold321:27664.00%169
68Jeans311:28558.49%161
68Shiach311:28533.33%104
70Watt301:29422.73%78
70McLennan301:29415.23%50
72French291:30442.03%129
72Proctor291:30428.43%97
72Cruickshank291:30410.07%34
75Grigor281:31516.37%59
76Jack271:32719.29%73
76Cumming271:32710.89%41
76Hendry271:32714.36%53
76Petrie271:32724.55%93
80Shanks261:34036.62%126
81Leslie251:35317.61%70
81Dunbar251:35311.68%47
81McIver251:35378.13%226
84Bain241:36813.33%55
84Hossack241:36842.11%153
86Paterson231:38415.75%69
86McRae231:38416.20%70
86Riach231:38414.84%66
86Stronach231:38424.47%102
90Edwards221:40122.22%99
90Miller221:40116.42%77
90Ritchie221:40122.92%101
90Ralph221:40113.10%60
90Farquhar221:40118.33%87
90Mellis221:40126.51%113
96Thompson211:42023.86%108
96Findlay211:42016.15%80
96Duff211:42045.65%180
96Melvin211:42055.26%198
96Garden211:42015.91%78
101Johnston201:44222.99%110
101Archibald201:44237.04%158
101McGillivray201:44214.81%76
104Dick191:46518.63%97
104Ettles191:46579.17%270
106Black181:49119.57%105
106Paul181:49120.45%108
106Chisholm181:49126.09%129
106Shand181:49110.06%57
106Rhind181:49125.00%125
106McRobbie181:491100.00%325
112Douglas171:51915.32%92
112Donaldson171:51926.98%138
112Thom171:51973.91%280
112McKintosh171:51922.08%123
112McBeath171:51945.95%202
117Dawson161:55228.57%154
117Barron161:55217.98%107
117Pirie161:55229.09%156
117Gair161:55253.33%237
117Joss161:55284.21%316
117Boyne161:55255.17%243
117Peterkin161:55225.40%138
117Brander161:55214.68%95
117Younie161:55214.55%93
126Ellis151:58927.78%158
126Kay151:58962.50%270
126Bruce151:58919.23%122
126McCulloch151:58941.67%209
126Gillies151:58929.41%166
126Moir151:58918.07%113
126Souter151:5899.09%63
133Kennedy141:63137.84%202
133McMillan141:63124.14%151
133Chalmers141:63131.82%185
133Donald141:63143.75%226
133Calder141:6318.59%64
133Malcolm141:63140.00%214
133Geddes141:6319.27%68
133Hepburn141:63135.00%194
133Tulloch141:63111.97%88
133McWilliam141:63119.72%126
133Hutcheson141:63143.75%226
133Gallon141:63137.84%202
133Sellar141:63133.33%189
133Gerrie141:63143.75%226
147King131:67926.53%172
147Gill131:67919.12%131
147Jamieson131:67916.88%123
147Whyte131:67931.71%191
147Rankin131:67992.86%393
147Menzies131:67931.71%191
147Cowie131:67916.25%117
147Ogg131:67938.24%220
147Storm131:67930.95%189
147Phimister131:67936.11%209
147Culbard131:679100.00%407
158Cooper121:73646.15%255
158Bennett121:73646.15%255
158Adams121:73631.58%198
158Fletcher121:73622.22%158
158Shepherd121:73657.14%300
158Ferguson121:73619.05%138
158Burgess121:73621.82%156
158Harper121:73636.36%225
158Hardy121:73663.16%316
158Johnstone121:73635.29%220
158Sanderson121:73670.59%340
158McIntyre121:73620.00%145
158Edgar121:73680.00%369
158McPhail121:73623.53%166
158Stalker121:73634.29%214
158McTavish121:73641.38%243
158Gregor121:73648.00%260
158Eddie121:73640.00%237
158Garrow121:73619.05%138
177Cook111:80322.45%172
177Dixon111:80352.38%300
177Baxter111:80335.48%232
177McGregor111:8033.83%35
177Fleming111:80347.83%280
177Barclay111:80328.95%198
177Wiseman111:80318.33%145
177Guthrie111:80334.38%226
177Manson111:80364.71%340
177Bowie111:80319.64%154
177Russel111:80340.74%247
177Ferrier111:80364.71%340
177Riddoch111:80345.83%270
177Buie111:80328.95%198
177Forteath111:803100.00%443
177Thomspon111:803100.00%443
193Harrison101:88383.33%423
193Inglis101:88321.28%178
193Beaton101:88355.56%325
193Begg101:88343.48%280
193Lawler101:883100.00%480
193Duffus101:88352.63%316
193Cattanach101:88347.62%300
193McConachie101:88322.73%185
193Torrie101:88362.50%354
193McCaskie101:883100.00%480
193Pozzi101:883100.00%480