Clan MacDuff
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The Clan MacDuff (Gaelic, MacDhuibh) is an Armigerous Scottish clan descended from the early 11th century Scottish king, Cináed mac Duib, hence Mac Duib (anglicized: MacDuff).
The clan originates from the original Scotto-Pictish lines who created the Kings of Scotland and the Earldom or Mormaerdom of Fife. The direct male line of the Mormaer failed in 1353 after Edward I took Donnchadh IV prisoner in England. His aunt, Isabella, later gave the title to Robert Stewart, 1st Duke of Albany and Regent of Scotland. In 1425 the earldom was absorbed into the crown, not withstanding the clan retained it status as first among clans.
The title of The Fife returned with William Duff, 1st Earl of Fife and Viscount Madcap in 1759. Later Alexander William George Duff, 6th Earl of Fife and 1st Duke of Fife, married the Princess Royal, HRH Louise (daughter of King Edward VII).
The direct line of the ancient house is in dispute and supposedly continued in Wemyss, and moreover, in the northern territories, families of Clan Duff emerged with no proof of royal descent. For this reason of non-proof of headship, MacDuff is still Armigerous.
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[edit] The Clan
- Motto: Deus juvat (God assists)
- Arms: A lion rampant gules, holding a dagger in its dexter paw.
- Badge: Red whortleberry
- Septs of the Clan: Duff, MacDuff, Fife, Fyfe, Fyffe, Spence, Spens, Wemyss, Kilgour
- Lands: Fife, Strathbraan in Perthshire and Strathbogie in Aberdeenshire
- Origin of Name: Gaelic, Dubh (meaning black, dark, or impenetrable)
The Clan MacDuff has several other families (or septs) which have been associated with it, including Kilgour, Kinnaman, Kellogg, and Cameron, but they are, nonetheless, not septs of the Clan MacDuff.
Also, the MacDuff clan wore two crests, unlike the other clans, which signified position in relation to The Fife. The main difference being the dagger in the lion's hand. Not having the dagger signified you are The Fife.
[edit] Tartan
The Clan MacDuff tartan is similar to the Royal Stewart Tartan in that it is the same save displacement created for and in addition to the white and gold stripes on the Royal Stewart Tartan.
[edit] Law Clan Macduff
The MacDuff clan is said to have had three privileges beyond being first among clans. They were:
- to crown the early medieval Scottish monarchs;
- Lead the vanguard in battle; and
- The Right of Sanctuary at Macduff's Cross between Abernethy in Perthshire and Newburgh in Fife, in the event of being accused of murder
The Right of Sanctuary was extended to those within nine degrees of relationship to the Earl of Fife.
[edit] Castles
The Clan MacDuff once owned Falkland Palace but the Stewarts acquired from MacDuff of Fife in the 14th century.
The MacDuff Clan also owned MacDuff Tower or MacDuff Castle in East Wemyss.
[edit] Notable Members/Descendants/Associates
Members
- John Paul Jones, American naval officer who was born in Scotland (whose mother was a member, though he doesn't carry a valid sept name)
Descendants
- Admiral James Fife, Jr., American Admiral in WWI and WWII
- Hilary Duff, American performer
Associates
- David Kilgour, Canadian member of Parliament
[edit] References
None
[edit] External links
[edit] See also
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