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Irish surname

Duffy: Irish Surname History & Coat of Arms

Ó Dubhthaigh · 'descendant of Dubhthach' (black)

Duffy is from Ó Dubhthaigh, 'descendant of Dubhthach' (black). Woulfe (1923) says it is found in all parts of Ireland and that there were doubtless several distinct families of the name, notably in Connacht and Monaghan. In 1890 Duffy was 45th of Ireland's principal surnames and the principal name in Co. Monaghan.

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Coat of arms associated with the Duffy surname
Irish formÓ Dubhthaigh
Meaning'descendant of Dubhthach' (black)
CountiesMonaghan, Donegal, Mayo, Roscommon
Other spellings10

Origin of the Duffy name

Woulfe: 'found in all parts of Ireland, and, doubtless, there are several distinct families so called.' The O'Duffys of Connacht gave many eminent prelates to the church in that province; they were also a family of note in Monaghan. In Munster the name is generally anglicised Duhig; Keating gives the family a Dalcassian origin.[1]

  1. 1123Cross of Cong made; it asks a prayer for Muiredach Ua Dubthaig.[3][4][10]
  2. 1816Charles Gavan Duffy born in Monaghan, 12 April.[5]
  3. 1842Charles Gavan Duffy co-founds the weekly Nation.[5]
  4. 1868Fenian Edward Duffy dies in Millbank Prison, 17 January.[6]
  5. 1871Charles Gavan Duffy becomes Prime Minister of Victoria.[5]
  6. 1890Duffy is 45th of Ireland's principal surnames, about 13,600 people.[7]

Where in Ireland

Co. MonaghanAn O'Duffy family of note; in 1890 Duffy was the principal surname in Monaghan.[1][9]
Co. DonegalWoulfe: very common in Ulster, especially Monaghan and Donegal; sometimes anglicised Dowey, Dooey.[1]
Co. MayoFirst of the counties where Duffy was principally found in the 1890 Births Index.[8]
Co. RoscommonOne of the counties where Duffy was principally found in 1890.[8]
Co. LouthOne of the counties where Duffy was principally found in 1890.[8]
Co. DublinOne of the counties where Duffy was principally found in 1890.[8]

Notable people named Duffy

Sir Charles Gavan Duffy1816–1903Monaghan-born journalist and politician; co-founder of the Nation (1842); Prime Minister of Victoria (1871); buried at Glasnevin.[5]
Edward Duffy1840–1868Fenian leader born at Ballaghaderreen, Co. Mayo; organised in Connaught; died in Millbank Prison.[6]

Other spellings

O'Duffy · Duhig · Duhy · Dowey · Douey · Dooey · Doey · O Duffie · O Dowhie · Black[1]

The Duffy coat of arms

The design shown is a coat of arms associated with the Duffy surname. In Irish and British heraldry a coat of arms is granted to one person and passes to their heirs; it does not belong to everyone who shares the surname. Many families still use the arms of their name as a symbol of their heritage.

Duffy crest gifts

Clan Oduffy Coat Of Arms - Irish Family Crest St Patrick's Day Classic CapHF17 Classic Cap - Oduffy Coat Of Arms St Patrick's Day Classic Cap Irish Cap Oduffy Coat Of Arms - Irish Family Crest St Patrick's Day Classic Cap$42.45Clan Duffy Coat Of Arms - Irish Family Crest St Patrick's Day Classic CapEJ55 Classic Cap - Duffy Coat Of Arms St Patrick's Day Classic Cap Irish Cap Duffy Coat Of Arms - Irish Family Crest St Patrick's Day Classic Cap$42.45Clan Duffy Coat Of Arms - Irish Family Crest Classic Cap AA38 Duffy Coat Of Arms Irish Cap Duffy Coat Of Arms - Irish Family Crest Classic Cap$33.45

Duffy surname: questions

What does the surname Duffy mean?

Woulfe gives Duffy as an anglicised form of Ó Dubhthaigh, 'descendant of Dubhthach', Dubhthach meaning 'black'. He adds that the name was sometimes translated as Black.[1]

Where in Ireland is Duffy from?

Woulfe says the name is found in all parts of Ireland, with notable families in Connacht and Monaghan, and that it is very common in Ulster, especially Monaghan and Donegal. In 1890 Duffy was the principal surname in Co. Monaghan.[1][9]

Are Duffy and Duhig the same name?

Woulfe says that in Munster Ó Dubhthaigh is generally anglicised Duhig, owing to the pronunciation of the final g.[1]

How common is Duffy in Ireland?

Matheson's survey of the 1890 Births Index ranked Duffy 45th of the hundred principal surnames, with an estimated 13,600 people.[7]

Sources

  1. Ó Dubhthaigh — Irish Names and Surnames (Rev. Patrick Woulfe, 1923), transcribed, LibraryIreland.com. libraryireland.com/names/od/o-dubhthaigh.php
  2. Ó Dúithche — Irish Names and Surnames (Rev. Patrick Woulfe, 1923), transcribed, LibraryIreland.com. libraryireland.com/names/od/o-duithche.php
  3. The Cross of Cong, National Museum of Ireland. museum.ie/en-IE/Collections-Research/Irish-Antiquities-Division-Col...
  4. The Cross of Cong — The Inscription, National Museum of Ireland. museum.ie/en-IE/Collections-Research/Irish-Antiquities-Division-Col...
  5. Charles Gavan Duffy (1816–1903) — Dictionary of Ulster Biography, Ulster History Circle (newulsterbiography.co.uk). newulsterbiography.co.uk/index.php/home/viewPerson/444
  6. Duffy, Edward — A Compendium of Irish Biography (Alfred Webb, 1878), transcribed, LibraryIreland.com. libraryireland.com/biography/EdwardDuffy.php
  7. Principal Surnames in Ireland (table of 100 principal surnames, Births Index 1890) — Special Report on Surnames in Ireland (Robert E. Matheson, 1909), transcribed, LibraryIreland.com. libraryireland.com/matheson/report/principal-surnames-ireland.php
  8. Duffy — Birth Indexes of 1890 — Special Report on Surnames in Ireland (Robert E. Matheson, 1909), transcribed, LibraryIreland.com. libraryireland.com/matheson/report/births/duffy.php
  9. Summary of the Distribution of Surnames — Special Report on Surnames in Ireland (Robert E. Matheson, 1909), transcribed, LibraryIreland.com. libraryireland.com/matheson/report/summary-distribution.php
  10. Explanatory Note (Ó is used instead of Ua throughout) — Irish Names and Surnames (Rev. Patrick Woulfe, 1923), transcribed, LibraryIreland.com. libraryireland.com/names/explanatory-note.php

Note: Matheson's 1890 figures for a surname include its spelling varieties (Matheson, Table Explanation).