This is an ancient medieval Scottish surname. It originates from an estate known as "The lands of Duffus" in Moray, the family being recorded there as early as the 13th century. These recordings are from charters generally with the bishop of Moray, and relate to tenancy agreements between the church and the Duffus family, specificially the first known nameholder Akembaldus de Duffus. They commence in the year 1222. Other early examples although would seem to be from a different branch of the family and are those of John Dufis or Dufus who let a tenement in the town of Invercullen to Robert of Holday in 1330, whilst John de Duffhous was granted a canonship of Moray church in 1347. A century or so later David Duffus was appointed as a burgess of the city of Aberdeen in 1488. Locational surnames are usually "from" names, but not in the north of Scotland or faraway in England in Cornwall. There the surname is directly related to and literally describes a person who lives at that place, whatever their status. This lead to the creation of distinguishing nicknames on the line of Jones, the butcher, Jones, the baker etc.