The Reivers

The Border History Museum tells the story of conflict on the Anglo-Scottish Border during the Medieval centuries. Armstrongs, Charltons, Dodds, Grahams, Halls, Johnstones, Kerrs, Milburns, Nixons, Ridleys, Robsons, Scotts and others: These were the Reivers, the Border families of the 16th century, whose lawless and violent way of life so upset their more civilized neighbours. There are stories of their doings, scenes from their colourful lives and examples of the weapons they used and the fortified homes they lived in.

The Historic Hexham Trust will extend this exhibition and develop it as a guide to the history of the Border country. Want to Help?

Common Riding Surnames, listed in G M Fraser: The Steel Bonnets and Ordnance Survey: In Search of the Border Reivers.

Anderson, Armstrong, Beattie, Bell, Bromfield, Burn, Carlisle, Carnaby, Carruthers, Charlston, Collingwood, Cranston, Craw, Croser, Curwen, Dacre, Davison, Dixon, Dodd, Douglas, Dunne, Elliot, Fenwick, Forstar, Gilchrist, Glendenning, Graham, Gray, Hall, Harden, Hedley, Henderson, Heron, Hetherinton, Hodgson, Hume, Hunter, Irvine, Jamieson, Johnstone, Kerr, Laidlaw, Little, Lowther, Maxwell, Medford, Milburn, Moffat, Musgrave, Nixon, Noble, Ogle, Oliver, Potts, Pringle, Read, Ridley, Robinson, Routledge, Rutherford, Salkeld, Scott, Selby, Shaftoe, Stamper, Stapleton, Stokoe, Storey, Tailor, Tait, Thomson, Trotter, Turnbull, Turner, Wilkinson, Witherington, Yarrow, Young.