Biography.guide
Home › People › Aristocrat › Donnchad I, Earl of Fife
Portrait of Donnchad I, Earl of Fife

Donnchad I, Earl of Fife

1133 – 1154

Gaelic magnate

Don't just read it — keep itBiographies to ownE-book · Audio · Video From $7 →

About Donnchad I, Earl of Fife

Lived 1133 – 1154 (aged 20–21). Donnchad I, Earl of Fife was an aristocrat.

Donnchad, Earl of Fife (1113–1154), usually known in English as Duncan, was the first Gaelic magnate to have his territory regranted to him by feudal charter, by King David in 1136. Duncan, as head of the native Scottish nobility, had the job of introducing and conducting King Malcolm around the Kingdom upon his accession; however, Malcolm died not long after being crowned.

He is known to have fathered two sons and one daughter:

Duncan II, his son and heir, succeeded his father in 1154. Adam of Fife. In 1163 or 1164, 'Adam, son of the Earl' witnessed the confirmation by Richard, Bishop of St. Andrews. His name occurs third in a list of sixteen witnesses (Reg Prior St. Andrews, No 137). He may have been 'Adam, son of Duncan', who, with Orabilis his wife, witnessed about 1172, the grant of the church of Lochres (Lewchars) by Nes, the son of William, to the church of St. Andrews. His wife Orabilis had previously been the wife of Sir Robert de Quincy, from whom she was probably divorced, and she married, thirdly, Morggán, Earl of Mar. Afreka, wife of Harold the elder, Earl of Orkney, and mother by him of two sons and two daughters.

Biography shop

Don’t just read it —
keep it.

Full-length biographies made to live with: read them, listen on the way to work, watch them tonight.

  • E-book
  • Audio
  • Video
Browse the shop — from $7

Instant download · yours to keep · every purchase keeps this site free

Important facts

Born
1133
Birth century
Died
1154
Occupation
Also known as
Duncan Macduff, 2nd Earl of Fife, Duncan Macduff 'Dhonnchad', Mormaer of Fife

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Donnchad I, Earl of Fife's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Donnchad I, Earl of Fife?

Gaelic magnate

When was Donnchad I, Earl of Fife born?

Donnchad I, Earl of Fife was born in 1133.

When did Donnchad I, Earl of Fife die?

Donnchad I, Earl of Fife died in 1154.

What was Donnchad I, Earl of Fife's occupation?

Donnchad I, Earl of Fife was an aristocrat.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Donnchad I, Earl of Fife

· Wikidata: Q3041239

· DBpedia: Donnchad I, Earl of Fife

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Donnchad I, Earl of Fife. https://biography.guide/donnchad-i-earl-of-fife/

MLA: "Donnchad I, Earl of Fife." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/donnchad-i-earl-of-fife/.

Chicago: "Donnchad I, Earl of Fife." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/donnchad-i-earl-of-fife/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

Page generated 2026-09-27 04:58 UTC