Earl Fife facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Earl Fife
1st and 4th: Or, a lion, rampant, gules (Macduff) 2nd and 3rd: vert, a fesse dancettee, ermine between a hart's head, cabossed, in chief, and two escallops in base or (Duff)
Creation date	26 April 1759
Monarch	King George II
Peerage	Peerage of Ireland
First holder	William Duff, 1st Baron Braco
Last holder	Alexander Duff, 6th Earl Fife
Remainder to	1st Earl's heirs male of the body
Subsidiary titles	Viscount Macduff Baron Braco Baron Skene
Extinction date	29 January 1912
Former seat(s)	Duff House Balvenie Castle Innes House Mar Lodge Skene House Delgatie Castle
Motto	Deo juvante (Latin for 'With God's help')

The title Earl Fife was a special noble rank in Ireland. It was created on April 26, 1759. This title was given to William Duff, who was already known as the 1st Baron Braco. Even though it was an Irish title, its name came from Fife in Scotland.

What Was the Earl Fife Title?

An "Earl" is a high-ranking noble title, similar to a count. The "Peerage of Ireland" was a system of noble titles created by the British monarch for people in Ireland. These titles gave their holders special rights and status.

How the Title Began

Before becoming Earl Fife, William Duff was made Baron Braco in 1735. This title was named after Kilbryde in County Cavan, Ireland. When he became an Earl in 1759, he also received the title Viscount Macduff. Both of these new titles were also part of the Peerage of Ireland. Interestingly, they were named after places in Scotland: Braco and Macduff in Banffshire.

New Titles and Royal Connections

Over time, the Earls Fife received more titles. These new titles were in the Peerage of Great Britain and the Peerage of the United Kingdom. These important titles allowed them to sit and vote in the House of Lords, which is part of the British Parliament.

For example, in 1790, the 2nd Earl was made Baron Fife in the Peerage of Great Britain. However, this title ended when he died in 1809 because he had no children to inherit it. Later, the 4th Earl also became Baron Fife in 1827, but this title also ended when he died in 1857.

In 1857, the 5th Earl was created Baron Skene in the Peerage of the United Kingdom. Then, in 1885, the 6th Earl was made Earl of Fife again, this time in the Peerage of the United Kingdom.

The Duke of Fife

In 1889, the 6th Earl Fife received even higher honors. He was made Duke of Fife and Marquess of Macduff. This happened just two days after he married Princess Louise of Wales. Princess Louise was the eldest daughter of Albert Edward, Prince of Wales, who later became King Edward VII.

When it became clear that the Duke would not have any sons, he was given another special creation. He was made Duke of Fife and Earl of Macduff again. This time, there was a "special remainder." This meant that if he had no sons, these specific titles could pass to his daughters and their male children.

The End of the Earl Fife Title

The 1st Duke of Fife died in 1912. He did not have any sons. Because of this, the original earldom of 1759, along with several other titles like the first Dukedom of Fife and the Baronies of Braco and Skene, came to an end.

However, the second Dukedom of Fife and the Earldom of Macduff continued. They passed to his daughter, Princess Alexandra of Fife, because of the special remainder. You can learn more about the succession of those titles on the Duke of Fife page.

Who Were the Barons Braco?

• William Duff, 1st Baron Braco (about 1696–1763) – He was later made Earl Fife in 1759.

Who Were the Earls Fife?

• William Duff, 1st Earl Fife (about 1696–1763)
• James Duff, 2nd Earl Fife (1729–1809)
• Alexander Duff, 3rd Earl Fife (1731–1811)
• James Duff, 4th Earl Fife (1776–1857)
• James Duff, 5th Earl Fife (1814–1879)
• Alexander William George Duff, 6th Earl Fife (1849–1912) – He was also made Earl of Fife in 1885 and Duke of Fife in 1889.

Family Connections