"[This quote needs a citation] The Musgraves though often Wardens of the West March during the times of the Reivers and among the fourteen most notorious of the reiving clans were known locally as de’ils (devils) dozen and consisted of the following families: Armstrong, Bell, Carleton, Dacre, Elliot, Graham, Johnstone, Kerr, Maxwell, Musgrave, Nixon, Routledge, Scott and Storey.
The surname is of toponymic origin, from the Anglo-Saxon mus for "mouse" and grav for "mossy plain".
[1] The Coat of Arms probably adopted by the Musgraves during the 13th century depicts six gold annulets, three, two and one, on a blue shield.
The first recorded spelling of the family name is believed to be that of Alan de Musegrave, which was dated 1228, in the "Curia Rolls of Northumberland".
[4][5] Lord of Musgrave, co. Westmorland, and divers manors, co. Cumberland, living in the time of William the Conqueror and King Henry I, 1066–1135.
He was named defendant in a plea, at the suit of Master William de Goldington, touching the grinding of corn at the plaintiff's mill at Saundeford, Westmorland, 37 Hen.
Nicholas de Musgrave, and Robert, William, and Richard, brothers of Michael, for cutting down trees, see 5 Edw.
After being levied a fine to confirm the lease of the third part of the manor and divers lands of Overton - previously given to Richard de Musgrave - he died soon afterwards.