McDuffie History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Ireland
Scotland
England

The rugged western mountains of Scotland's coastline and the Hebrides islands were home to the ancestors of the McDuffie family. McDuffie was originally a name for a dark-featured, peaceful person. The Gaelic name of the Clan is Mac Dubhshithe, which translates as black one of peace. One branch of the Clan on the island of North Uist was known as Dubh-sidh, meaning 'black fairy,' due to their whimsical association with the faerie folk. 1 2

Early Origins of the McDuffie family

The surname McDuffie was first found in on the Isle of Colonsay, where the eponymous ancestor of the Clan may be Dubhshith, also called Dubside, who was lector at the Cathedral on the sacred isle of Iona in 1164. As the name MacFee is one of the oldest of all Dalriadan surnames it appears in records as early as the reign of Alexander II, when Johannes Macdufthi was witness to a charter in Dumfriesshire. In 1296, Thomas Macdoffy swore an oath of allegiance to King Edward I of England. 2

Early History of the McDuffie family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our McDuffie research. Another 398 words (28 lines of text) covering the years 1506, 1512, 1531, 1532, 1541, 1569, 1585, 1595, 1605, 1609, 1626, 1681, 1703, 1723, 1747, 1838, 1845, 1850, 1890 and 1981 are included under the topic Early McDuffie History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

McDuffie Spelling Variations

Spelling variations are a very common occurrence in records of early Scottish names. They result from the repeated and inaccurate translations that many names went through in the course of various English occupations of Scotland. McDuffie has been spelled MacFie, McFey, MacFee, MacDuffie, MacPhee, MacGuffie, MacCuffie, MacPhie, Maffie, Maffey, MacDubh-shithe (Gaelic) and many more.

Early Notables of the McDuffie family

More information is included under the topic Early McDuffie Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

McDuffie Ranking

In the United States, the name McDuffie is the 2,692^nd most popular surname with an estimated 12,435 people with that name. 3

Migration of the McDuffie family to Ireland

Some of the McDuffie family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 89 words (6 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

McDuffie migration to the United States +

The hardy Scots who made the crossing settled all along the east coast of North America and in the great west that was just then opening up. At the time of the American War of Independence, many United Empire Loyalists moved north from the American colonies to Canada. Scottish national heritage became better known in North America in the 20th century through highland games and other patriotic events. An examination of immigration records and passenger ship lists revealed that people bearing the name McDuffie arrived in North America very early:

McDuffie Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Anna McDuffie, who landed in New York in 1738 4
Anne McDuffie, who landed in New York, NY in 1738 4
Dudly McDuffie, who landed in New York in 1738 4
Malcolm McDuffie, who landed in New York in 1738 4
Malcom McDuffie, who landed in New York in 1738 4
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

McDuffie Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Neil McDuffie, aged 33, who arrived in North Carolina in 1812 4

Contemporary Notables of the name McDuffie (post 1700) +

Arthur McDuffie (1946-1979), American whose death at the hands of Miami-Dade police caused riots
John McDuffie (1883-1950), American Democratic Party politician, Prosecuting attorney, 1st Circuit, 1911-19; U.S. Representative from Alabama 1st District, 1919-35; Resigned 1935; Judge of U.S. District Court, 1935-50
W. E. McDuffie, American Democratic Party politician, Alternate Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Texas, 1972
W. Cliff McDuffie, American politician, Mayor of Zephyrhills, Florida, 2002-12
Sylvia D. McDuffie, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Texas, 1996, 2004
John Van McDuffie (1841-1896), American Republican politician, Probate judge in Alabama, 1868-80; Delegate to Alabama State Constitutional Convention, 1875; U.S. Representative from Alabama 4th District, 1890-91
James G. McDuffie, American politician, Member of California State Assembly 15th District, 1854-55
Frances McDuffie, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from North Carolina, 2004
George McDuffie (1790-1851), American Democratic Party politician, U.S. Representative from South Carolina, 1821-34 (6th District 1821-23, 5th District 1823-34); Governor of South Carolina, 1834-36; U.S. Senator from South Carolina, 1842-46
Charles D. McDuffie, American Republican politician, Delegate to Republican National Convention from New Hampshire, 1884
... (Another 12 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

The McDuffie Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Pro Rege
Motto Translation: For the King.

Citations +

Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)