McDuffie
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Clan McDuffie, or Macduffie is the true and original name of what is now known as Clan Macfie, of Irish origin from the great Dubthaigh ecclesiastical group. Clan Macfie is in fact, just one family known as the "Sugar" Macfies from connections with Tate & Lyle.
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[edit] Origins
Confidantes and Keepers of the Records of the great Clan Macdonald, this great Roman Catholic Clan were probably scotticised by Saint Duthac (1000-1065), Chief Confessor of Ireland and Scotland, and Bishop of Tain. However, there were many great connections to Saint Patrick who had a bard named Dubthaigh and to St. Bridget who is claimed to be the daughter of Dubthaigh.
[edit] Ireland
The Irish groups became O'Duffy and Duffy, with septs in Connacht at Lissyduffy, in Donegal and Monaghan and at Galway. The O'Duffy's flourished and gave bishops and abbots to Conmacnoise; Roscommon, Cong; Clonfert, Mayo and Boyle. The most notable were Cele (also known as Cadhla and Catholicus) O'Duffy, Archbishop of Tuam, who was appointed ambassador to the court of Henry II in 1175, and Muiredach O'Duffy (1075-1150) also Archbishop of Tuam and for whom the Cross of Cong was made.
[edit] Scotland
The Macduffies in Scotland, followers of Dubthaigh, settled in Easter and Wester Ross as McPhees, before settling their Chief in Colonsay and Oronsay, where McDuffies are buried in Oronsay Priory which was second only to Iona in importance. Many of the Clan settled in Jura and Islay, and a remarkable number who became Presbyterians, settled in the Isle of Bute. The last known chief Malcolm McDuffie was killed in 1623 when raiding Colonsay, by the Macdonald Chief, Coll Kiotach Macdonald and his sons, who were eventually executed by the Campbells. His family of widow, son and three daughters disappeared and there is no Clan Chief, although the daughters may have married in Jura.
When the Macduffies switched allegiance to the Campbells because of persecution by the Presbyterians, many changed name to Macfie, McFee, McFie and moved to County Antrim in Northern Ireland.
[edit] Present day
Emigration to the USA in 1738-1740 means that only some 20 McDuffies are still resident in the United Kingdom.
[edit] Further information
There is a remarkable amount of information, including a serious "The Early History of Clan Macduffie" available from Morgan Publications, 11 Arden Drive, Dorridge, Solihull, West Midlands, United Kingdom (web page)
