Michael Matthew Groat PhD's Genealogical Database

Individuals: 97,713  Families: 61,838  
Gedcom Last Modified: December 14, 2025 00:59:10

Gillemichael MacDuff Mórmaer of Fife


Preferred Parents:
Father: Duff Mac Heth 2nd. Earl of Fife, b. 1078 in Methil, Fife, Scotland   d. 1129 in Fife, Scotland
Mother: Methil Fife, b. 1078 in Fife, Scotland   d. ABT 1138 in Methil, Fife, Scotland

Family 1: Constance Buchan,    b. 8 NOV 1080 in Fife, Scotland    d. 1166 in Methil, Fife, Scotland
  1. Adam MacGilleMichael, b. 1135 in Scotland    
  2. Eoghin MacGillemichae d'Abernathy, b. ABT 1129 in Haddington, East Lothian, Scotland, United Kingdom     d. 1150 in Abernethy, Fifeshire, Scotland
  3. Dhonnchad MacDuff 5th Earl of Fife, b. 1113 in Methil, Fife, Scotland     d. ABT 1154 in Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland
  4. Ete MacDuff of Fife, b. 1130 in Buchan, Aberdeenshire, Scotland     d. DECEASED
Sources:
  1. Title: Our royal, titled, noble and commoner ancestors
    Author: Citations [S762] Unknown author, The Complete Peerage, by Cokayne, Vol. V, p. 372. [S11772] Unknown author, Foundation for Medieval Genealogy, Vol. IV, p. 21-35. "The Heraldry of the Early Fife Earls: kin-based succesion and primogeniture". Written by Bruce McAndrew. [S11772] Unknown author, Foundation for Medieval Genealogy, Vol. II (2), p. 112-134. "Nes Fitz William and the Earls of Fife: the Origin of the House of Fife 962-1129". Written by MichaelAnne Guido.
    Publication: Name: https://our-royal-titled-noble-and-commoner-ancestors.com/p156.htm#i4667;
    Note: Gillemichael MacDuff, 3rd Earl of Fife1,2 Last Edited 4 Apr 2020 M, #4667, d. before July 1136 Father Duff of Fife d. b 1128? Gillemichael MacDuff, 3rd Earl of Fife died before July 1136.2 Family Children Ete of Buchan+3 d. a 1132 Duncan MacDuff, 4th Earl of Fife+2 d. 1154 Hugh (Eoghin), Hereditary Abbot of Abernethy+2 d. a 1173
  2. Title: Wikipedia - Gille Micheil MacDuff
    Author: Bannerman, John, "MacDuff of Fife," in A. Grant & K.Stringer (eds.) Medieval Scotland: Crown, Lordship and Community, Essays Presented to G.W.S. Barrow, (Edinburgh, 1993), pp. 20–38
    Publication: Name: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gille_M%C3%ADch%C3%A9il,_Earl_of_Fife;
    Note: Mormaer Gille Míchéil (d. bef. July 1136) is the second man known for certain to have been Mormaer of Fife from 1130 to 1133, although it is unlikely he actually was the second. He had at least one son, called Aed (=Hugh). Aed would have succeeded Donnchad I under a Celtic system, but as feudal rules of primogeniture came into force during the reign of Donnchad I, it was Donnchad's son, and not Gille Míchéil's, who became the next mormaer. Aed, though, probably succeeded to the leadership of Clann Duib, at least during Donnchad I's minority, and certainly became Abbot of Abernethy, an office which his own son, Orm, later inherited.
  3. Title: "MacDuff of Fife" in "Medieval Scotland: Crown, Lordship and Community, Essays Presented to G.W.S. Barrow" by John Bannerman
    Author: Medieval Scotland: Crown, Lordship and Community, Essays Presented to G.W.S. Barrow, (Edinburgh, 1993), pp. 20–38 Still looking for a link where we can read it online. Can be found at some libraries, usually universities.
    Publication: Name: https://books.google.com/books/about/Medieval_Scotland.html?id=pC8njhobGxQC;
    Note: See pages 20 to 38 Important source about the MacDuffs of Fife. Still looking for a link where we can read it online. Can be found at some libraries, usually universities.
    Page: Important source about the MacDuffs of Fife.
  4. Title: Scots Peerage Volume 4 (1907) - The Ancient Earls of Fife - Gillemichael
    Author: Archive.org https://archive.org/details/DouglasRScotsPeerageVol41907/page/n15/mode/1up Douglas R Scots Peerage Vol 4 1907 Topics Douglas R Scots Peerage Vol 4 1907 Collection folkscanomy_history; folkscanomy; additional_collections Language English Douglas R Scots Peerage Vol 4 1907 Addeddate 2017-07-02 01:21:57 Identifier DouglasRScotsPeerageVol41907 Identifier-ark ark:/13960/t4rk03j1g Ocr ABBYY FineReader 11.0 Ppi 600 Scanner Internet Archive HTML5 Uploader 1.6.3 plus-circle
    Publication: Name: https://archive.org/details/DouglasRScotsPeerageVol41907/page/n15/mode/1up;
    Note: PAGE 4 III. Gillemichael succeeded to Earl Constantine. It has been assumed that he was the son of the latter, but there is no evidence of the relationship. In King David’s charter of the 4 shire ’ of Kirkcaldy and its church to Dun- fermline 4 there is a clause prohibiting any one of the heirs of Constantine, Earl of Fife, from calling in question the grant. From the language of the charter it may be as- sumed that Constantine was then dead, 5 and it is note- worthy that Gillemichael is not mentioned either as heir of Earl Constantine, or as a witness to the charter. His identity is doubtful : whoever he was, his position among the magnates of Scotland was a high one. In King David’s confirmation charter to Dunfermline he appears as 4 Gillemichael Macduf,’ and is ranked immediately after the Earls and before Herbert the Chancellor, and a great noble like Hugh de Morevill, afterwards Constable. 6 4 Gillemichell ’ appears to have rendered great services to the King, and it is not improbable that the territorial earldom became for the first time hereditary to him and his heirs. 7 He witnessed several other charters of King David to Dunfermline, and also the same King’s charter of confirmation to Holyrood. Earl Gillemichael did not hold the earldom many years, and there is some doubt as to the year of his death, which has been given as 1139, but he appears in a charter dated about 1133, while Duncan is styled Earl in 1136, if not earlier. 6 1 Beg. de Dunfermelyn , 13. 2 Wood’s Douglas’s Peerage. 8 Beg. de Dunfermelyn t 10. 4 Ibid. 6 Sir A. C. Lawrie gives circa 1130 as the date of this charter ; Early Scottish Charters , 76. 6 Beg. de Dunfermelyn , 4. 7 Complete Peerage , iii. 8. v. Fife. 8 Beg. de Dunfermelyn , 15; Beg. Epis. Olasguensis , 9. PAGE 5 The name of Gillemichael’s wife has not come down to us. He had at least two sons and one daughter : — 1. Duncan, his successor. 2. Hugh, father of Hugh (sometimes called Egius and Eugenius). 1 (See title Wemyss.) 3. Ete, wife of Gartnait, Earl of Buchan, is described as the daughter of Gillemichael, and it is not improbable that she was the daughter of this Earl, as there is no other Gillemichael of that period known to history on record. Gillemichael may have had another son, Adam , pro- genitor of a family designed from its lands De Syras , and who is a frequent witness to charters of King William, Earl Duncan, and Robert and Richard, bishops of St. Andrews. 2 IV. Duncan, fourth Earl of Fife, succeeded sometime before July 1136
    Page: Identifies Gillemichael as Earl of Fife succeeding Constantine. Identifies him as the father (wife not known) of Duncan, Hugh and Ete. May have had another son named Adam. Died after 1133 but before 1139, likely before 1136.
  5. Title: GILLIEMATHIL [Gilliemichael] Macduff, Earl [of Fife]. EARLS of FIFE (MACDUFF) - Foundation for Medieval Genealogy
    Author: The Foundation for Medieval Genealogy (FMG) was established in 2001 to promote the study of genealogy and prosopography for the period before 1500 AD, and to publish the results of those studies. Although we are based in the UK our membership is world-wide. https://fmg.ac/Projects/MedLands/SCOTTISH%20NOBILITY.htm#_Toc359671981
    Publication: Name: https://fmg.ac/Projects/MedLands/SCOTTISH%20NOBILITY.htm#_Toc359671981;
    Note: B. EARLS of FIFE (MACDUFF) 1. CONSTANTINE, son of --- (-[1128/29]). "…Constantini comitis de Fyf…" witnessed the undated charter under which "Edelradus…filius Malcolmi Regis Scotiæ Abbas de Dunkeldense et insuper Comes de Fyf" made donations to the Keledei of Loch Leven[284]. He may have been Earl of Fife or Earl of Forthreve[285]. "…Constantinus comes…" witnessed a charter dated to [1128] by which "David…Rex Scottorum" made grants to the church of Dunfermline[286]. David King of Scotland instructed "Constantinus comes" to respect the rights of the church of Dunfermline by undated charter witnessed by "…Madeth comit, Malis comit, Head comit, Hug de Morevill, Herbt cancell, Rob Corbet…"[287]. 1. GILLIEMATHIL [Gilliemichael] Macduff, son of --- (-before [1135]). Earl [of Fife]. "…Gillemichel Mac duf…" witnessed a charter dated to [1128] by which "David…Rex Scottorum" made grants to the church of Dunfermline[288]. "Gillemichel comite…" witnessed a charter dated to [1130] by which "David…Rex Scottorum" made grants to the monks of Dunfermline[289]. m ---. The name of Gilliemathil’s wife is not known. Gilliemathil & his wife had [three] children: a) [DUNCAN (-1154). No primary source has been identified which confirms Duncan’s parentage but as, apparently, he was the successor of Earl Gilliemathil it is likely that he was his son. Earl of Fife. "…Dunecano comite…" witnessed a charter dated to [1135] by which "David Rex Scottorum" granted Swinton to "Arnulfo…mee militi"[290]. David I King of Scotland granted protection to the clerics of Deer by undated charter, witnessed by "Donchado comite de Fib et Malmori d’Athotla et Ggillebrite comite d’Engus et Ghgillcomded Mac Aed…"[291]. He may have been Regent of Scotland in 1153 during the minority of King Malcolm IV[292]. m ---. The name of Duncan’s wife is not known. Duncan & his wife had [three] children: i) DUNCAN Macduff (-[Aug/Dec] 1203). He succeeded his father in 1154 as Earl of Fife. "Duncano comite de Fyfe…" subscribed the undated charter under which "Comes David frater regis Scottorum" founded Lindores Abbey[293]. - see below. ii) ADAM ). "William Masculus de Foules" donated "capellam de Foules" to the church of St Andrew’s by undated charter witnessed by "Comite Duncano, Adam fratre comitis…"[294]. "Dunecanus comes de Fif" donated "ecclesiam de Cupre" to St Andrew’s priory by undated charter witnessed by "Hela comitissa, Adam fratre comitis…"[295]. "Dunecanus comes de Fif" donated "ecclesiam de Marchinch" to St Andrew’s priory by undated charter witnessed by "Hela comitissa…Adam clerico fratre comitis…"[296]. "Malcolmus filius Dunecani comitis de Fif" confirmed the donations of "ecclesiam de Cupre…Marking…Sconin, capellam de Katel" made to St Andrew’s priory by "Dunecanus comes pater meus", by undated charter but presumably dated to soon after his father’s death, witnessed by "…Adam fratre comitis…"[297]. "Nesius filius Willelmi" donated "ecclesiam de Lochres" to St Andrew’s priory by undated charter witnessed by "Dunecano comite de Fif…Adam filio Dunec et Horabili sponsa sua…"[298]. The date of his death is not known. m as her [third] husband, ORABILIS, separated wife firstly of ROBERT de Quincy, widow [secondly] of [MORGUND] Earl of Mar, daughter of NES of Mar and his wife --- (-before 30 Jun 1203). "Nesius filius Willi et Orabile filia sua heres" donated "ecclesiam de Losresc" to St Andrew’s priory by undated charter[299]. Her first marriage is confirmed by the undated charter under which her son "Seherus de Quency comes Wintonie" donated "totam terram de Duglyn", held by "Nesus filius Willelmi avus meus" to Cambuskenneth priory[300]. Her second marriage is indicated by the undated charter under which "Orabilis comitissa de Mar filia Nesii filii Willi" confirmed the donation of "ecclesiam de Lochres" made by "pater meus Nesius filius Willi" to St Andrew’s priory, witnessed by "Duncano comite de Fif…"[301]. The question of the precise identity of Orabilis’s second husband is discussed below. Her third marriage is indicated by the undated charter under which "Nesius filius Willelmi" donated "ecclesiam de Lochres" to St Andrew’s priory witnessed by "Dunecano comite de Fif…Adam filio Dunec et Horabili sponsa sua…"[302]. There seems little doubt that the witness was Orabilis, daughter of the donor, and her third husband, as the name is so unusual. "Orabilis filia et heres Dñi Nesii" donated property to St Andrew’s priory by undated charter witnessed by "…Patricio filio Nesii, Dunc filio Elin…"[303]. "Orabilis filia et heres Dñi Nesii" donated "Davach ictar Hathyn" to St Andrew’s priory by undated charter witnessed by "…G. com de Mar…Patricio filio Nesii, Duncan filio Emelin…"[304]. Pope Innocent III confirmed the possessions of Inchaffray Abbey, including the donation of land "in territorio de Gasgt" by "quondam Orable matris Seer de Quinci", by bull dated 30 Jun 1203[305]. Orabilis presumably died before her first husband, given the undated charter under which her son "Seerus de Quinci" confirmed the donation of "Davac Icthar Hathyn" made by "matris mea" to St Andrew’s priory which was witnessed by "…Roberto de Quincy patre meo…"[306]. iii) [AFREKA . Orkneyinga Saga records that Earl Harald married “a woman called Afreka”[307]. Balfour Paul’s Scots Peerage states that she was the daughter of Duncan Earl of Fife but cites no primary source apart from the Orkneyinga Saga, as shown previously which does not state the parentage of Jarl Harald’s wife[308]. The primary source which confirms her parentage has not yet been identified. m (repudiated [1154/55]) as his first wife, HARALD Maddadsson Jarl of Orkney, son of MADDAD [of Scotland] Earl of Atholl & his second wife Margaret of Orkney (1134-1206).] b) HUGH . His parentage is confirmed by the undated charter, probably dated to [1165/66], under which William King of Scotland confirmed the property of St Andrew’s priory, including a donation of "ecclesiam de Marchinche" by "militis…Egii filii Hugonis filii Gillemihel comitis de Fif"[309]. m ---. The name of Hugh’s wife is not known. Hugh & his wife had one child: i) GILES . William King of Scotland confirmed the property of St Andrew’s priory, including a donation of "ecclesiam de Marchinche" by "militis…Egii filii Hugonis filii Gillemihel comitis de Fif", by undated charter probably dated to [1165/66][310]. c) ETE Macduff (-after 1132). Her parentage and marriage are confirmed by the Book of Deer which records the donation made by "Gartnait son of Cainnech and Ete daughter of Gille Michel" for "the consecration of a Church of Christ and Peter"[311]. m GARTNACH Mormaer of Buchan, son of CAINNEACH [Kenneth] & his wife (-after 1132).
    Page: Identifies Gilliemichael Macduff as Earl of Fife after Constantine. Identifies him as being of Clan MacDuff but his parentage is not known. The name of his wife is not known, but he is shown to be the father of sons Duncan I (next Earl of Fife) and Hugh, and a daughter Ete Macduff. Gilliemichael died before 1135.
  6. Title: Wikipedia - Earls of Fife
    Author: Grant, Rev'd Alexander, "The Ancient Earls of Fife", in Sir James Balfour Paul (ed.) The Scots Peerage, Volume IV, (Edinburgh, 1907), pp. 1-15 Bannerman, John, "MacDuff of Fife," in A. Grant & K.Stringer (eds.) Medieval Scotland: Crown, Lordship and Community, Essays Presented to G.W.S. Barrow, (Edinburgh, 1993), pp. 20–38 Barrow, G. W. S., Robert Bruce and the Community of the Realm of Scotland, (Edinburgh, 1988) Barrow, G.W.S. Earl's of Fife in the 12th Century, (Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, 1952–53), pp. 51–61. Lawrie, Sir Archibald C., Early Scottish Charters Prior to A.D. 1153, (Glasgow, 1905), no. XXXVI, pp. 28–31, pp. 283–84 Roberts, John L., Lost Kingdoms: Celtic Scotland and the Middle Ages, (Edinburgh, 1997)
    Publication: Name: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earl_of_Fife;
    Note: Mormaer of Fife The mormaers of Fife, by the 12th century, had established themselves as the highest ranking native nobles in Scotland. They frequently held the office of Justiciar of Scotia - highest brithem in the land - and enjoyed the right of crowning the kings of the Scots. The Mormaer's function, as with other medieval Scottish lordships, was partly kin-based. Hence, in 1385, the Earl of Fife, seen as the successor of the same lordship, is called capitalis legis de Clenmcduffe (Lord of the Law of the Children of Macduff). The first earl was Alexander Scrymgeour (died 1306). Alexander served under William Wallace and Robert the Bruce. He was the official and hereditary banner bearer for the king and was awarded title of earl and the demesne of Fife for services rendered. The lordship existed in the Middle Ages until its last earl, Murdoch (Muireadhach), Duke of Albany, was executed by James I of Scotland. Chief of Clan Macduff The deputy or complementary position to mormaer or earl of Fife was leadership as Chief (ceann) of Clan MacDuff (clann meic Duibh). There is little doubt that the style MacDuib, or Macduff, derives from the name of King Cináed III mac Duib, and ultimately from this man's father, King Dub (d. 966).[1] Compare, for instance, that Domhnall, Lord of the Isles, signed a charter in 1408 as MacDomhnaill. The descendants of Cináed III adopted the name in the same way that the descendants of Brian Bóruma mac Cennétig called themselves Uí Briain, although it does seem that at least initially MacDuff was a style reserved for the man who held the Mormaership of Fife. The chieftaincy of the clan was not always held by the mormaer, especially after the mormaerdom became subject to the laws of feudal primogeniture in the reign of Donnchadh I. For example, at the Battle of Falkirk, it is the head of the clan who led the men of Fife, rather than the Mormaer. End of Macduff line The Macduff line continued without interruption until the time of Isabella, the only child of Donnchad (Duncan) IV, Earl of Fife, and his wife Mary de Monthermer. She succeeded her father as suo jure Countess of Fife on his death in 1358, making her one of the most eligible maidens in Scotland. She married four times, but all her husbands died within a few years of their marriage. In 1371 she was persuaded to name Robert Stewart, Earl of Menteith (later Duke of Albany) as her heir, who was her brother-in-law by her second marriage to Walter Stewart. He thus succeeded her as twelfth Earl of Fife on her death in 1389. Duke Robert was succeeded as Duke of Albany, Earl of Fife, etc. by his son Murdoch in 1420. Duke Murdoch was forfeited and executed in 1425, due to his father's part in the death of Prince David, Duke of Rothesay. Thus the earldom of Fife came to an end.
    Page: Mormaers of Fife ? Giric mac Cináeda meic Duib ? Macduib (= Shakespeare's MacDuff) (fl. 1057–1058) Causantín, Earl of Fife, (fl. 1095–1128) See Mormaer Beth and Ethelred of Scotland for common confusion here Gille Míchéil, Earl of Fife (1130–1133) Donnchadh I, Earl of Fife (1133–1154) Donnchadh II, Earl of Fife (1154–1204) Maol Choluim I, Earl of Fife (1204–1228) Maol Choluim II, Earl of Fife (1228–1266) Colbán, Earl of Fife, (1266–1270/2) Donnchadh III, Earl of Fife (1270/2–1288) Donnchadh IV, Earl of Fife (1288–1353), considered by King David II to have forfeited the earldom Sir William Ramsay of Colluthie, Earl of Fife (1358-c1360), created by King David II Isabella, Countess of Fife, (1361–1371), daughter of Donnchadh IV, was persuaded to resign the earldom to Robert Stewart, Earl of Fife (1371–1420) Murdoch Stewart, Duke of Albany, Earl of Fife (1420–1425)
  7. Title: Medieval Lands Project
    Publication: Name: https://fmg.ac/Projects/MedLands/SCOTTISH%20NOBILITY.htm#EteMacduffFifeMGartnachBuchan;
    Note: copyright@Charles Cawley
  8. Title: Book - The East Newk of Fife : Its History & Antiquities
  9. Title: Gille Míchéil, Mormaer of Fife From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
    Author: Wikipedia
    Publication: Name: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gille_M%C3%ADch%C3%A9il,_Mormaer_of_Fife;
    Note: Mormaer Gille Míchéil (d. bef. July 1136) is the second man known for certain to have been Mormaer of Fife from 1130 to 1133, although it is unlikely he actually was the second. He had at least one son, called Aed (=Hugh). Aed would have succeeded Donnchad I under a Celtic system, but as feudal rules of primogeniture came into force during the reign of Donnchad I, it was Donnchad's son, and not Gille Míchéil's, who became the next mormaer. Aed, though, probably succeeded to the leadership of Clann Duib, at least during Donnchad I's minority, and certainly became Abbot of Abernethy, an office which his own son, Orm, later inherited. Bibliography Bannerman, John, "MacDuff of Fife," in A. Grant & K.Stringer (eds.) Medieval Scotland: Crown, Lordship and Community, Essays Presented to G.W.S. Barrow, (Edinburgh, 1993), pp. 20–38
    Page: Short biography of Gille Míchéil, Mormaer of Fife Identifies him as the 2nd (confirmed) Mormaer of Fife from 1130 to 1133 Identifies him as father of at least 1 son Hugh (Aed) Died before July 1136
  10. Title: Book - Scotch Ancestry of William KcKinley
  11. Title: Wikipedia -Clan MacDuff
    Author: Clan MacDuff Profile scotclans.com. Retrieved on August 27, 2007 The Scottish clans and their tartans : with notes (1900?), Publisher: Edinburgh : W. & A.K. Johnston. Page 48. Coventry, Martin. (2008). Castles of the Clans: The Strongholds and Seats of 750 Scottish Families and Clans. pp. 368. ISBN 978-1-899874-36-1 Clan Septs and Dependents electricscotland.com. Retrieved 30 April 2013. Way, George and Squire, Romily. (1994). Collins Scottish Clan & Family Encyclopedia. (Foreword by The Rt Hon. The Earl of Elgin KT, Convenor, The Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs). pp. 419 - 420. Official Scottish Clans and Families electricscotland.com. Retrieved on August 27, 2007 Moncreiffe of that Ilk, p.135-136. Grant, Alexander & Stringer, Keith J. (1998). Medieval Scotland: Crown, Lordship and Community. pp. 21 - 22. ISBN 978-0-7486-1110-2. Duffy, Christopher. (2007). The '45, Bonnie Prince Charlie and Untold Story of the Jacobite Rising. p. 532. ISBN 978-0-7538-2262-3. The Records
    Publication: Name: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clan_MacDuff;
    Note: The Clan Duff claims descent from the original Royal Scoto-Pictish line of which Queen Gruoch of Scotland, wife of Macbeth, King of Scotland was the senior representative.[5] After the death of MacBeth, Malcolm III of Scotland seized the Crown and his son, Aedh, married the daughter of Queen Gruoch.[5] Aedh was created Earl of Fife and abbot of Abernethy.[5] The early chiefs of Clan MacDuff were the Earls of Fife. Sir Iain Moncreiffe wrote that the Clan MacDuff was the premier clan among the Scottish Gaels.[7] Today, the Earls of Wemyss are thought to be the descendants in the male line of Gille Míchéil, Earl of Fife, thought to be one of the first Clan MacDuff chiefs.[7] Gille-michael MacDuff was one of the witnesses to the great charter of David I of Scotland to Dunfermline Abbey.
  12. Title: Gillemichael MacDuff
    Publication: Name: https://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=jweber&id=I18684;
Master Index | Pedigree Chart | Descendency Chart
Please send genealogical corrections, additions, or comments to Michael Matthew Groat PhD
Created by GIMMWebService Version 1.0.3 (Program Information), Copyright 2023 © Michael Groat
(Web design layout and pedigree indentation subroutine) Copyright 1996 © Randy Winch (gumby@edge.net) and Tim Doyle (tdoyle@doit.com)
(Internal GEDCOM data structures and GEDCOM file parsing) Copyright 2014-2021 © Giulio Genovese (giulio.genovese@gmail.com)

Like the program that you see? Any support is appreciated!

Paypal