Raja Yussuff was born on 15 January 1890 at Bukit Chandan, Kuala Kangsar, Perak. He was the eldest son of Sultan Abdul Jalil Karamatullah Nasiruddin Mukhataram Shah Ibni Almarhum Sultan Idris Mushidul Azzam Shah Rahmatullah. Raja Yussuff was educated at Hogan School (later changed to Clifford School), Kuala Kangsar.