Surname MacDuffee - Meaning and Origin
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MacDuffee: What does the surname MacDuffee mean?
The surname MacDuffee is of Scottish origin. It is derived from the Gaelic personal name "Dubh-Shìth" which translates to "black fairy." The prefix "Mac" means "son of," hence MacDuffee would denote 'son of Dubh-Shìth'. This surname is not very common and it is primarily associated with the Scottish Highlands and Hebridean Islands. Historically, the MacDuffees, also known as Clan Macfie, were predominantly found in Colonsay and Oronsay islands but were dispersed during the Scottish clan conflicts. Despite the dispersion and changes over time, the MacDuffees or Macfies have maintained their clan identity to this day. Variations of the name include MacFie, MacPhee, McDuffie, and others. As with most surnames, the different spellings have evolved over time due to a combination of regional, dialect, and phonetic influences.
Order DNA origin analysisMacDuffee: Where does the name MacDuffee come from?
The surname MacDuffee is of Scottish origin, signifying the Gaelic ancestry of the bearers. It derives from "Mac Dhuibhshíthe", which literally translates to "son of the black peace" or "son of Dubhshith", borne by notable figures in ancient Scotland's history. The name is especially associated with the region of Argyll in Western Scotland. The Clan Macfie, also known as Clan MacDuffie, is a historical Scottish clan hailing from the area.
Today, descendants of the Clan Macfie, carrying the MacDuffee surname, can be found across the globe, particularly in countries that were destinations for Scottish emigration. These include the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Scotland itself continues to be home for many individuals bearing the MacDuffee surname. Despite its dispersal around the world, the surname is relatively rare, and associations and societies like Clan Macfie, strive to preserve and promote their shared cultural heritage.
Variations of the surname MacDuffee
The surname MacDuffee is of Scottish origin. It's an anglicized form of the Gaelic "Mac Dhuibhshíthe", which means "son of Dubhshíth". This is composed of the elements "dubh" (black) and "síth" (peace).
There are several spelling variants and associated surnames which can be traced back to the same Gaelic origin. This includes McFee, McDuff, McDuffey, McPhee, Duff, Duffie, Duffy, and MacDuff. Each of these has a range of further spelling variations. For example, the name "MacDuff" could also be spelled as MacDuffe, MacDuffie, MacDuffy, MacDuffey, and MacDufie. Similarly, "Duffy" might be spelled as Duffey, Duffie, and Dufie, among others.
These spellings evolved historically as a result of various factors such as regional dialects, phonetic spelling, and translation between English and Gaelic. Therefore, although the spellings are different, they all essentially refer to the same family lineage or clan.
Famous people with the name MacDuffee
- Jennifer MacDuffee: Canadian actress best known for her roles in Below the Beltway and Superboy
- Arthur MacDuffee: American chemist and professor at Drexel University
- Percy MacDuffee: Canadian college professor and poet
- George MacDuffee: Canadian lawyer, judge and politician
- William MacDuffee: Canadian-born American businessman and financier
- John MacDuffee: American conservative talk show host
- Colleen MacDuffee: Canadian musician and singer
- Bob MacDuffee: American entrepreneurial author and motivational speaker
- Ed Moore MacDuffee: American architectural illustrator and author
- Martin MacDuffee: American comic book artist and writer