the scottish gaelic word "" means "leader" and can also be translated as "chief". the of the clan mackintosh claim that the first chief of the clan was shaw, second son of duncan macduff, earl of fife of the royal house of dál riata. in 1160 shaw macduff accompanied malcolm iv of scotland on an expedition to suppress a rebellion in morayshire. in about 1163 he was also made constable of inverness castle and was granted land in the findhorn valley. the heartland of the clan was the lands of petty which was also the burial place of the chiefs. in 1179 shaw macduff was succeeded by his son who was also called shaw and was confirmed in his patrimony by william the lion.