Surname · Irish origin
Duffy
Meaning
The surname Duffy means Descendant of the dark one.
Origin
Irish
Type
patronymic
The origin of the surname Duffy
Duffy comes from Ó Dubhthaigh, from dubh, “black, dark.”
What kind of surname is Duffy?
Duffy is a patronymic surname, derived from a father's or ancestor's given name. It belongs to the Irish naming tradition — you can read how Irish surnames were formed on our Irish last names page.
Other Irish surnames
Other patronymic surnames
Family names formed the same way, from different cultures.
Frequently asked questions
What does the surname Duffy mean?
The surname Duffy means Descendant of the dark one. Duffy comes from Ó Dubhthaigh, from dubh, “black, dark.”
Where does the surname Duffy come from?
Duffy is a surname of Irish origin.
What kind of surname is Duffy?
Duffy is a patronymic surname, derived from a father's or ancestor's given name.
What are other Irish surnames?
Other Irish surnames include Boyle, Brennan, Byrne, Callaghan, Connolly, Daly.