NameCensus.

UK surname

Duffus

A surname derived from the Gaelic 'dubh' meaning black or dark-complexioned.

In the 1881 census there were 463 people recorded with the Duffus surname, ranking it #7,170 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 874, ranked #6,431, up from #7,170 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Elgin, Edinburgh and Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Huntly, South Speyside and the Cabrach and Nairn East.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Duffus is 874 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 88.8%.

1881 census count

463

Ranked #7,170

Modern count

874

2016, ranked #6,431

Peak year

2016

874 bearers

Map years

8

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Duffus had 463 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #7,170 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 874 in 2016, ranked #6,431.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 590 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Spacious Rural Living.

Duffus surname distribution map

The map shows where the Duffus surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.

Distribution map

Duffus surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Duffus over time

The table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.

Year Period Count Rank
1851 historical 307 #7,502
1861 historical 342 #7,460
1881 historical 463 #7,170
1891 historical 527 #7,112
1901 historical 590 #7,155
1911 historical 85 #24,322
1997 modern 753 #6,864
1998 modern 767 #6,989
1999 modern 781 #6,930
2000 modern 787 #6,864
2001 modern 741 #7,040
2002 modern 775 #6,952
2003 modern 756 #6,975
2004 modern 768 #6,898
2005 modern 757 #6,905
2006 modern 760 #6,908
2007 modern 780 #6,830
2008 modern 779 #6,903
2009 modern 812 #6,801
2010 modern 838 #6,767
2011 modern 830 #6,732
2012 modern 831 #6,649
2013 modern 855 #6,601
2014 modern 872 #6,524
2015 modern 872 #6,467
2016 modern 874 #6,431

Geography

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Where Duffus' are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Elgin, Edinburgh, Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry, Cullen and King Edward. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Huntly, South Speyside and the Cabrach, Nairn East, Birmingham and Hambleton. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Some modern areas include a three-digit suffix, such as Leeds 110. The suffix is a small-area code, so it stays in the table while the prose uses the plain place name.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 Elgin Elgin
2 Edinburgh Edinburgh
3 Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry Forfar
4 Cullen Banff
5 King Edward Aberdeen

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Huntly Aberdeenshire
2 South Speyside and the Cabrach Moray
3 Nairn East Highland
4 Birmingham 032 Birmingham
5 Hambleton 005 Hambleton

Forenames

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First names often paired with Duffus

These lists show first names that appear often with the Duffus surname in historical and recent records.

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Duffus

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Duffus, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.

These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.

The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.

UK neighbourhood type

UK Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Retired Professionals

Group

Spacious Rural Living

Nationally, the Duffus surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Spacious Rural Living, within Retired Professionals. This does not mean every Duffus household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

These predominantly ageing households typically have no resident dependent children. Most are owner-occupiers and live in detached houses in low density residential developments (although renting is more common than in the rest of the Supergroup). White ethnicity predominates. Residents are typically beyond retirement age but those still in work have managerial, professional or skilled trade occupations. White ethnicity and Christian religious affiliation predominate. Neighbourhoods are located throughout rural UK.

Wider pattern

Typically married but no longer with resident dependent children, these well-educated households either remain working in their managerial, professional, administrative or other skilled occupations, or are retired from them – the modal individual age is beyond normal retirement age. Underoccupied detached and semi-detached properties predominate, and unpaid care is more prevalent than reported disability. The prevalence of this Supergroup outside most urban conurbations indicates that rural lifestyles prevail, typically sustained by using two or more cars per household.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins

Within London, Duffus is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins, part of Young Families and Mainstream Employment. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Scattered across London’s Inner and Outer suburbs, residents of these neighbourhoods are typically housed in the social rented sector. Although terraced and semi-detached houses predominate, more residents live in flats than elsewhere in the Supergroup. Neighbourhoods are more ethnically diverse than the Supergroup average. Those identifying as of Bangladeshi, Pakistani and some Black ethnicities are more prevalent. Europeans born in a overseas non-EU countries make up more of the lower proportion of residents identifying as White. Few residents are very old (85+). Employment in distribution, hotels and restaurants is more common than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

Many families in these neighbourhoods have young children. Housing is principally in the social rented sector, in terraced or semi-detached units. While over-all residential densities are low, overcrowding is also prevalent locally. Residents are drawn from a range of ethnic minorities, with many identifying as Black and above average numbers born in Africa. Numbers identifying as of Chinese, Indian or White ethnicity are below average. Levels of proficiency in English are below average. Levels of separation or divorce and incidence of disability are both above average. Education is typically limited to Level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. Few residents work in professional or managerial occupations but the employment structure is otherwise diverse: it includes skilled trades, caring, leisure and other service occupations, sales and customer service occupations, construction, and work as process, plant, and machine operatives.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Duffus is most concentrated in decile 10 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier end of the index.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Duffus falls in decile 7 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname near the middle of the scale.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

7
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Duffus is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 30-40 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

6
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

This describes the area pattern most associated with Duffus, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Duffus

The surname Duffus originated in Scotland, deriving from the lands of Duffus in Moray, near Elgin. It is a habitation name, meaning it originated from a place name where the first bearers lived or came from. The name is thought to derive from the Gaelic dùbh and uis, meaning "dark stream" or "black water".

The earliest recorded mention of the name Duffus is in the 12th century, with the lands of Duffus appearing in royal charters granted by King David I of Scotland. The family that took their name from these lands, the Duffus clan, held considerable power and influence in the area for centuries.

In the 13th century, a notable member of the Duffus clan was Walter de Duffus, who was a witness to a charter granted by King Alexander II in 1238. Another early recorded instance of the name is in the 1296 Ragman Rolls, which list John de Duffus as a landowner who swore fealty to King Edward I of England.

The Duffus family continued to play a prominent role in Scottish history throughout the medieval and Renaissance periods. One particularly notable figure was Andrew Duffus, who served as Bishop of Moray from 1455 to 1460.

As the name spread beyond its original territory, variations in spelling emerged, such as Duffus, Duffies, and Duffy. In the 17th century, a prominent bearer of the name was Sir Patrick Duffus, a Scottish judge and lawyer who served as Lord Provost of Edinburgh from 1658 to 1659.

Other notable individuals throughout history with the surname Duffus include:

1. James Duffus, a Scottish painter and engraver active in the late 18th century. 2. Robert Duffus, a Scottish-born Canadian merchant and politician who lived from 1786 to 1847. 3. Thomas Duffus, a Scottish-born Australian politician who served as a member of the New South Wales Legislative Council in the late 19th century. 4. Robert Luther Duffus, an American journalist and author who lived from 1888 to 1972. 5. Samuel Duffus, a Scottish-born Australian educator and headmaster who lived from 1857 to 1939.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Duffus families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Duffus surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.

Top counties

Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Aberdeenshire leads with 179 Duffus' recorded in 1881 and an index of 43.36x.

County Total Index
Aberdeenshire 179 43.36x
Angus 104 25.18x
Banffshire 27 29.20x
Middlesex 21 0.47x
Fife 19 7.20x
Morayshire 19 27.43x
Midlothian 16 2.68x
Lanarkshire 15 1.04x
Perthshire 12 6.00x
Nairnshire 11 80.82x
Ayrshire 6 1.80x
Carmarthenshire 5 2.66x
Yorkshire 5 0.11x
Peeblesshire 4 19.07x
Renfrewshire 4 1.16x
Surrey 3 0.14x
Kincardineshire 2 3.68x
Glamorgan 1 0.13x
Lancashire 1 0.02x
Northumberland 1 0.15x
Royal Navy 1 1.88x
Stirlingshire 1 0.61x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Dundee in Angus leads with 64 Duffus' recorded in 1881 and an index of 41.51x.

Place Total Index
Dundee 64 41.51x
Aberdeen Old Machar 38 44.08x
Aberdeen St Nicholas 32 41.43x
Liff Benvie 25 39.88x
Tyrie 16 308.88x
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 14 5.83x
Premnay 12 845.07x
Forgue 11 296.50x
Nairn 11 133.17x
Elgin 10 74.24x
Govan 10 2.80x
King Edward 10 210.08x
Bromley London 9 9.18x
Cullen 9 262.39x
Forgan 9 177.87x
Abroath St Vigeans 8 470.59x
Crimond 8 629.92x
Cupar 7 60.98x
Gamrie 7 67.83x
Ardrossan 6 51.95x
Banff 6 74.72x
Turriff 6 90.09x
Fyvie 5 74.18x
Gateforth 5 1851.85x
Llandilo Fawr 5 59.67x
Peterhead 5 22.90x
Tarves 5 128.21x
Auchterless 4 121.95x
Forfar 4 17.89x
Maryhill 4 14.17x
Neilston 4 23.07x
Stoke Newington London 4 11.52x
Traquair 4 344.83x
Aberdour 3 92.31x
Alyth 3 55.76x
Dunblane 3 62.63x
Forres 3 41.21x
Gartly 3 220.59x
Kensington London 3 1.21x
Leochel Cushnie 3 161.29x
Rattray 3 64.38x
St Gilesin Fields London 3 79.58x
Alves 2 116.28x
Dunnottar 2 52.36x
Fordyce 2 30.08x
Fraserburgh 2 17.21x
Kew 2 158.73x
Leuchars 2 59.88x
Meigle 2 134.23x
Monquhitter 2 46.84x
Newhills 2 23.67x
Ashton Under Lyne 1 0.87x
Barony 1 0.27x
Bourtie 1 140.85x
Brechin 1 6.16x
Cairney 1 41.67x
Cardiff St Mary 1 2.34x
Cromdale 1 17.95x
Deskford 1 75.76x
Drumblade 1 68.49x
Duddingston 1 8.34x
Edinkillie 1 55.25x
Falkirk 1 2.60x
Glass 1 63.29x
Huntly 1 14.88x
Insch 1 42.55x
Keith 1 10.14x
Kingoldrum 1 169.49x
Kintore 1 27.86x
Largo 1 29.15x
Longside 1 20.28x
Methlick 1 30.21x
Monifieth 1 6.85x
Ordiquhill 1 91.74x
Rathen 1 23.09x
Redgorton 1 45.05x
St Andrews Lhanbryd 1 46.73x
Streatham 1 3.02x
Teddington London 1 9.90x

Top female names

These are the female first names most often recorded with the Duffus surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
Mary 3
Alice 2
Ann 2
Margaret 2
Bessie 1
Elizabeth 1
Ellen 1
Emily 1
Isabella 1
Jessie 1
Lizzie 1
Margery 1
Margret 1
Marianne 1

Top male names

These are the male first names most often recorded with the Duffus surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
James 4
John 4
William 3
Alexander 2
David 1
Harold 1
Harry 1
Lennox 1
Wm. 1

Top occupations

Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Duffus households.

FAQ

Duffus surname: questions and answers

How common was the Duffus surname in 1881?

In 1881, 463 people were recorded with the Duffus surname. That placed it at #7,170 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Duffus surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 874 in 2016. That gives Duffus a modern rank of #6,431.

What does the Duffus surname mean?

A surname derived from the Gaelic 'dubh' meaning black or dark-complexioned.

What does the Duffus map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Duffus bearers relative to the surrounding population.

What records is this surname page based on?

The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.