Believed to have been descended from the early kings of Scotland, the MacDuffs claim their ancestry extends back to King Malcolm III of Scotland and his son, Aedh.
The clan would eventually become associated with lands in Fife and particularly their historic seat at Macduff’s Castle near East Wemyss which they would give up in the 14th century. The family would also hold other castles at Leuchars, Markinch, North Berwick, Cupar, Falkland and Methil.
Clan MacDuff is an armigerous clan meaning that it currently does not have a clan chief.