The surname Duff has several origins. In some cases it is an Anglicised form of the Gaelic Ó Duibh ("descendant of Dubh"), Mac Giolla Duibh ("son of the servant of Dubh"), Mac Duibh ("son of Dubh"). The surname Duff is also sometimes a short form of Duffin (when of Gaelic origin), and MacElduff (from Mac Giolla Duibh), and Duffy (a name with multiple origins).
The Gaelic dubh ("black", "dark") is a word-element which forms a part of many Gaelic names.
In the British Royal Family:
Scottish aristocrats: