Show ContentsDease History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The chronicles of the Dease family reach back into Scottish history to an ancient tribe known as the Picts. The ancestors of the Dease family lived in Angus (in the modern region of Tayside), and claim descent from Gaelic MacDhai, son of David. 1

Early Origins of the Dease family

The surname Dease was first found in Angus (Gaelic: Aonghas), part of the Tayside region of northeastern Scotland, and present day Council Area of Angus, formerly known as Forfar or Forfarshire, where they were descended from the Gaelic MacDhai, son of David. From the 13th century onward the name was anglicized MacDavid, Davidson, Deasson and Deas. The branches using Deas and Deasson settled in Angus and in Banffshire at the end of the fifteenth century.

"James Dais is recorded in Dundee, 1611, and Mr. John Daes in Huntliewood, 1638. James Daes was minister of the church of Ersiltoune, 1643. Andrew Daes, stabler, appears in Edinburgh, 1627, and David Daes, tailor there, 1666." 2

Early History of the Dease family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Dease research. Another 72 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1611, 1627, 1638, 1677, 1683 and 1804 are included under the topic Early Dease History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Dease Spelling Variations

When the first dictionaries were invented in the last few hundred years, spelling gradually became standardized. Before that time, scribes spelled according to sound. Names were often recorded under different spelling variations every time they were written. Dease has been written Deas, Dease, Deasey, Deasy, Dais, Daes, Deasson, Deason, Dasone and many more.

Early Notables of the Dease family

More information is included under the topic Early Dease Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Dease family to Ireland

Some of the Dease family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 30 words (2 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Dease migration to the United States +

The crossing to North America did not seem so great in comparison with the hardships many Scots endured at home. It was long, expensive, and cramped, but also rewarding. North America offered land and the chance for settlers to prove themselves in a new place. And many did prove themselves as they fought to forge a new nation in the American War of Independence. The ancestors of those Scots can now experience much of their once-lost heritage through the Clan societies and highland games that have sprung up across North America in the last century. A search of immigration and passenger lists revealed many important, early immigrants to North America bearing the name of Dease:

Dease Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Dennis Dease, who settled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1855
  • Dennis Dease, who settled in America in 1863
Dease Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Warren Dease, aged 7, who arrived in Honolulu, Hawaii, in 1914
  • Robert Dease, aged 20, who arrived in America, in 1918
  • Thomas Dease, aged 20, who arrived in America, in 1918
  • Alex Dease, aged 18, who arrived in America, in 1921
  • Alexander Dease, aged 18, who arrived in America, in 1921

Canada Dease migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Dease Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • Mr. John Dease U.E. (b. 1741) born in Ireland who settled in Montreal, Canada East, Quebec c. 1786 he joined was known as a Medical Doctor, Captain and Superintendent of the Indian Department, he joined the North West Company [Hudson's Bay Company] and became Factor, he became Chief Factor at Fort Spokan and died in 1827, he married Jane French having 7 children 3

Australia Dease migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Dease Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • J. Dease, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Orleana" in 1839 4

Contemporary Notables of the name Dease (post 1700) +

  • The Rev. Dennis Dease (1991-2013), American academic and Roman Catholic priest, 14th President of the University of St. Thomas in Minnesota
  • Michael Dease (b. 1982), American jazz trombonist, composer and producer
  • Teresa Ellen Dease (1820-1889), Irish-born, Canadian Roman Catholic nun and the foundress of the Loreto Sisters
  • William Dease (1752-1798), Irish surgeon and anatomist
  • Conly John Paget Dease (1906-1979), Australian radio presenter and quiz show host in the 1940s and 1950s
  • Maurice James Dease VC (1889-1914), British Army officer during the First World War, recipient of the Victoria Cross
  • Peter Warren Dease (1788-1863), Canadian fur trader and arctic explorer, member of Sir John Franklin's second expedition to the Arctic


  1. Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
  2. Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
  3. Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X
  4. State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) ORLEANA 1839. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1839Orleana.htm


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