 He consolidated his position as head of the family with two "bands of association" in 1586 and 1599 in which he was recognized as chief by numerous Murray lairds including the Morays of Abercairny in Perthshire.In 1604 he was made Lord Murray of Tullibardine, in 1606 he became Earl of Tullibardine.Murray married Catherine Drummond, daughter of David, 2nd Lord Drummond (a great grandson of Colin Campbell, 1st Earl of Argyll) and Lilias Ruthven.