by David Duffus 1946-2005
THIS
WEBSITE IS CURRENTLY BEING RESTORED FROM BACKUP
PLEASE BE PATIENT...
Postscript:
David Duffus passed away 3rd January 2005, this website has been resurrected 6-Oct-09
in
his memory for Diane, Megan and Trey, by Geoff
Pooch. David's obituary can be read here.
Please also read the foreword and dedication
for this website.
The name of DUFFUS (pronounced
DUFF'-US) derives from the lands of DUFFUS in Morayshire, Scotland. What is presently
known as DUFFUS PARISH encompasses the lands of the ancient BARONY OF DUFFUS and comprises
9,565 acres. The DUFFUS name has undergone a variety of spelling changes through the
years; in 1290, "DUFHUS", and in 1512, "DUFFOUS". The name is probably a
compilation of two Gaelic words, dubh and uisg, meaning "darkwater" or
"blackwater".At one time, the region was below sea-level and the Loch of Spynie
and stagnant pools of water were a conspicuous feature of the area. In 961 DUFFUS, the son
of King Malcolm the First, began his short four and one half year reign as the 78th
KING OF SCOTS. 
He was the subject of witches' plots and later
slain by "one Donald', with his body being hidden under the bridge which spanned the Kinlosse. The histories state that the sun failed to shine until the King's body was
discovered and received a proper burial. In a book entitled "Illustrated Guide to
Britain", the author writes, "Forres, a Royal Burgh, the site of King Duncan's
Court, Dunsinane, where a stone marks the place where three witches accused of causing the
death of King Duffus were burned in A.D. 965".
Click on King Duffus for Poem by Sylvia Townsend Warner
The family of DUFFUS were of note as early as the 13th century when ARKEMBALDUS de DUFFUS witnessed an agreement between Brice, Bishop of Moray (d. 1222) and John Byseth. DAVID DUFIS, son and heir of JOHN DUFIS, confirmed to Robert Halliday (Holiday), a tenement within the town of Invercullen in 1330. JOHN de DUFFHOUS (or DUFWS), who was granted a canonry of Moray in 1347, appears in 1363 as Subchanter (Succenter) of Moray.
The district of Fife having been at one time inhabited by the remote race of people called "Picts," Sir R. Sibbald, a native historian, ingeniously traces the name to the word "Veach," signifying painted; others, again, maintain that it was called so in honour of one FIFUS DUFFUS, a traditional hero, who had performed important services to his people in times of war.
DAVID DUFFUS was admitted Burgess of Aberdeen in 1488; JOHN DUFFES was admitted to the Guild in Aberdeen as a Burgess on June 13, 1632; GILBERT DUFFUS was admitted to the Fyvie Guild as a Burgess on January 19, 1642; WILLIAM DUFFUS, a wright, was admitted to the Trade as a Burgess on September 11, 1645 in Aberdeen and JAMES DUFFUS was a gardener in Fyvie in 1633. The Kirk Session Records of Cullen from 1641 record that:
"James Duffus and George Duffus and Charles Stevinson convict in Break of ye Sabbath for playing at ye golff, efternoone, in time of Sermon, and yr for ar ordayned evrie ane of them to pay havff a merk, and mak yr repentance ye next Sabbath"
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The Duffus Sunday Evening News for Sunday, August 29, 2004
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Click for current weather conditions at Duffus Castle
COPYRICHT
Aa richts is pitten by. Nae pairt o this darg shuid be doobelt, hained in onie kin o
seestem, or furthset in onie kythin or bi onie gate whitsomeiver, athoot haein leave
frae the writer afore-haund.
Copyright 2001. All rights reserved.
Site design by the late David Duffus. Edited by Geoff Pooch.
www.duffus.com/index.htm 6-Oct-09