The Feudal Barony of MacDuff is a Scottish Feudal Barony in Macduff, Scotland, contained mostly within the boundaries of the Town of Macduff, in the Banff and Buchan area of Aberdeenshire, Scotland.[1] Clan MacDuff traces origins to the historic, Lowland, Scottish Duff Clan.[2] 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.[3] This ambiguity worked to the benefit of future MacDuff Barons, who were able to prove they were descended from the first Duff to receive a charter in Northeast Scotland.[4] In 1404 David Duff received the charter, in Aberdeenshire, from Robert III of Scotland.[4] 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.[5] William Duff had five sons - the eldest, James, would become the 2nd Earl Fife and the 1st Baron of MacDuff.[6] 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.[7] 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.[6]
Born: 1729
Died: 1809
Preceded by: N/A
Succeeded by: Alexander Duff
Seat: Duff House
Born: 1731
Died: 1811
Preceded by: James Duff
Succeeded by: James Duff
Seat: Duff House
Born: 1776
Died: 1857
Preceded by: Alexander Duff
Succeeded by: James Duff
Seat: Duff House
Born: 1814
Died: 1857
Preceded by: James Duff
Succeeded by: Alexander Duff
Seat: Duff House
Born: 1849
Died: 1912
Preceded by: James Duff
Succeeded by: Lady Alexandra Duff
Seat: Mar Lodge
Born: 1891
Died: 1959
Preceded by: Alexander Duff
Succeeded by: Alexander Ramsay of Mar
Seat: Mar Lodge
Born: 1919
Died: 2000
Preceded by: Lady Alexandra Duff
Succeeded by: James Mark Domesek
Seat: Mar Lodge
Born: unknown
Died: unknown
Preceded by: Alexander Ramsay of Mar
Succeeded by: Eric Cotton Dexter
Born: 1971
Died: N/A
Preceded by: James Mark Domesek
Succeeded by: N/A
Born: 2000
Died N/A
Heir Apparent to the Barony of MacDuff