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The MacDuff Barony

A History*

The Barony of MacDuff is a Scottish Feudal Barony contained mostly within the boundaries of the Town of Macduff in the Banff and Buchan area of Aberdeenshire, Scotland. Clan MacDuff traces origins to the historic, Lowland, Scottish Duff Clan. William Shakespeare’s Macbeth has always played a role in the legend of Clan MacDuff, as few can determine the line between The Duff Family history and historical fiction, much to the benefit of future MacDuff Barons, who were able to prove descent from the first of these early Duffs to receive a charter in Northeast Scotland. In 1404 David Duff received the charter, in Aberdeenshire, from Robert III of Scotland. In 1759, William Duff was granted the historic Celtic Title of “Fife”, further tying the Duffs of Northeast Scotland, with their ancient Lowland ancestors - the original Earls of Fife from the 11th century. William Duff had five sons - the oldest, James, who would become the 2nd Earl Fife and the 1st Baron of MacDuff. James invested heavily in the village of Doune, or “Down”, across the River Deveron from Banff. He built a harbor there in 1760, which quickly became more successful than the harbor at neighboring Banff, which had been established much earlier. In 1783 a charter was granted by King George III changing the name from Doune to Macduff in his favor and, although a lesser title than Earl, bestowing on him the dignity of the 1st Baron of Macduff

Barons of MacDuff

James Duff, 2nd Earl Fife, 1st Baron of MacDuff, 1729-1809

Born: 1729

Died: 1809

Preceded by: N/A

Succeeded by: Alexander Duff

Seat: Duff House

Alexander Duff, 3rd Earl Fife, 2nd Baron of MacDuff

Born: 1731

Died: 1811

Preceded by: James Duff

Succeeded by: James Duff