Moray

Moray is one of the 32 Local Government council areas of Scotland. It lies in the north-east of the country, with coastline on the Moray Firth, and borders the council areas of Aberdeenshire and Highland.Between 1975 and 1996 Moray, with similar boundaries, was a district of the then Grampian Region.HistoryThe name, first attested around 970 as '', and in Latinised form by 1124 as Morauia, derives from the earlier Celtic forms *mori 'sea' and *treb'' 'settlement'.During the middle ages the Mormaerdom of Moray was much larger than the modern council area, covering much of what is now Highland and Aberdeenshire in addition to modern Moray. During this period Moray may for a time have been either an independent kingdom or a highly autonomous vassal of Alba. In the early 12th century the mormaerdom/kingdom was defeated by David I of Scotland following a conflict with Óengus of Moray, after which the area was ruled by William fitz Duncan.After that the title became defunct until the 14th century when Thomas Randolph was granted the title Earl of Moray. The earldom would subsequently be destroyed and recreated four times, with its last creation surviving to this day, currently held by John Douglas Stuart, 21st Earl of Moray.