Surname Duffe - Meaning and Origin
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Duffe: What does the surname Duffe mean?
The last name Duffe is of Scottish descent and is derived from the Gaelic name MacDhubhithe, which means "son of Dubhthach". Dubhthach was a legendary figure from ancient Irish mythology, and the name MacDhubhithe was passed down through generations of Scottish families for many centuries.
The Gaelic name MacDhubhithe was Anglicised to the surname Duffe when it was brought to England and Scotland during the 17th century. The Duffe surname is most common in Scotland, but is also found in Ireland, England, Canada, and the United States.
The name Duffe means "dark-haired" or "black-haired" and retains the same meaning today. It can also be translated as "son of the dark-haired one" or "son of the black-haired one". Over time, the name has become associated with strength and determination, since the name reflects the color of one's hair, which is historically associated with courage and daring. While there are many different ways to spell the name, they all mean the same thing.
The Duffe family was traditionally a clan of seafarers, and their name can be found on the record of noble Scottish families. To this day, many families who bear this last name continue to have a strong connection to their maritime past.
Order DNA origin analysisDuffe: Where does the name Duffe come from?
The last name Duffe is most commonly found in Ireland and Great Britain today. Records indicate that the surname was first used in the region of Ulster in Northern Ireland in the 15th century.
The name has also been recorded in some parts of Scotland, with some of the earliest records of Duffe in Scotland occurring in Perth and Renfrewshire in the 17th century.
More recently, records show that many members of the Duffe family have emigrated to the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. The earliest record of the name in America dates back to the late 18th century, with several individuals bearing the name arriving in the United States in the late 1700s.
In addition, there are many individuals bearing the name Duffe who still live in Ireland today. The name is not particularly common, however, and is found mainly in the counties of Mayo, Galway, Ulster and Leinster, as well as some other counties in the southern part of the country.
Overall, the last name Duffe can be found in countries throughout the world today, but it is most commonly seen in Ireland, the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
Variations of the surname Duffe
The surname Duffe is believed to have its origins in Europe, though the exact origin is uncertain. It may originate from Scotland or Ireland, though the spelling varies in different regions. A common variant of the name is Duff, which is found mostly in Ireland. A variant spelling of Duffe is Duffi or Duffy, which is popular in Scotland. Other common variants include Duf, Dufour, Dufresne, and Duffie.
In the United States, the name Duffe is also spelled Duffey, however this is less common compared to other variants. Other variants in the United States include Duffey, Doffy, Dufau, and Dufel.
In Ireland, the name Duff is the most widely used variant, with variants such as Duffe, Dugh, Duffey, and Dughai also being used. In Scotland, the variant spelling Duffy is more popular, though other variants such as Dhufay, Duffee, Duffis, and Duffuss have also been found.
The name has many other variants across Europe, including Dufault, Duffaut, Dufaux, and Dufay. The various spellings of the name may have come about due to the differences in dialects or languages in various countries. Some variants of the name may have also come about due to the fact that many people changed their names when they moved from their homeland to a different country.
Famous people with the name Duffe
- Hilary Duff: American actress, singer, and songwriter
- Haylie Duff: American actress, singer, songwriter, television writer, and producer
- Jeffrey Mayer Duffé: a retired American professional basketball player
- K. Duffe McLean: American businessman
- Charles Duffe: former president of the United Nations Association-USA
- S.L. Duffe Jr.: American football player
- David Duffe: American film producer
- Paul Duffé: German footballer
- Wilfredo Díaz Duffé: former Dominican Republic Olympic swimmer
- Valerie Duffé: American recreation sports professional