Skip Ancestry navigation Skip to Footer Ancestry Home
  • Home
  • Trees
  • Search
  • Memories
  • DNA
  • Subscribe
  • Cart
  • Sign In
Home
Loading

Trees you own

    Shared with you

      Tree tools

      • My Trees
      • First Name Meanings
      • Last Name Meanings
      • Individual Records Search
      • Family Trees Support
      • Start a New Tree
      • Upload a GEDCOM
      Loading
      • All Collections
      • Census & Voter Lists
      • Birth, Marriage & Death
      • Military
      • Immigration & Travel
      • Public Member Trees
      • Card Catalogue
      • Member Search
      Memories
      Loading
      • Register a kit
      • AncestryDNA® Learning Hub
      • Traits Learning Hub
      • AncestryDNA®
      • AncestryDNA® Support
      Loading
      • Support Centre
      • Ancestry Academy
      • Community
      • Hire an expert
      • Site Status
      Loading
      • Support Centre
      • Ancestry Academy
      • Community
      • Hire an expert
      • Site Status
      Discover More Family Names with an Ancestry 14-day Free Trial* 
      • Support Centre
      • About Us
      • Site Map
      • Gift Memberships
        • Ancestry Corporate
        • Fold3.com
        • ForcesWarRecords.com
        • Geneanet.org
        • Newspapers.com
        • ProGenealogists.com
        • RootsWeb.com
      • © 2006-2026 Ancestry
      • Privacy
      • Cookies
      • Terms and Conditions
      • Operated by Ancestry Ireland Unlimited Company
      Group of people

      Meaning of the first name Duff

      Origin

      Irish

      Meaning

      Dark

      Variations

      Duffy, Huff, Buffy
      The name Duff holds its origins in the Irish language and is derived from the term Dubh which means Dark. Historically, this name was commonly used to reference individuals with dark or black hair, or those with a darker complexion. The Irish roots of the name Duff can be traced back to ancient times, where it was originally used as a descriptive nickname for individuals in Gaelic-speaking regions.

      Throughout history, the name Duff has been associated with various notable figures. In Scottish history, King Duff of Scotland ruled from 961 to 967 and played a significant role in the consolidation of the kingdom. Additionally, the name Duff has often been used to represent noble Scottish families, such as Clan MacDuff, whose origin can be traced back to the 11th century.

      In modern-day usage, the name Duff continues to be found across various English-speaking countries. It is commonly used as both a first and last name, and is often bestowed upon individuals to honor their Irish or Scottish heritage. The name Duff has also gained popularity in popular culture, appearing in literature, films, and television shows, further contributing to its enduring presence in modern society.

      Based on our records...

      Green

      Green

      This is the most common surname associated with Duff.
      Anne

      Anne

      This is the most common name of those married to a Duff.
      Duff

      Duff

      This is the most common name for a child of a Duff.
      Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. - © Mapbox - © OpenStreetMap - Improve this map

      What are you curious about?

      Ready to learn more about your own family? Here are two ways to begin.
      Start a free trial
      Order AncestryDNA
      calendar.webp
      Based on our records...

      Did you know?

      1784 is when there were the most people born with the first name Duff.

      Explore the origins of another name.