Show ContentsDysart History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Though shrouded by the mists of time, the chronicles of Scotland reveal the early records of the Norman surname Dysart which ranks as one of the oldest. The history of the name is interwoven within the colorful plaid of Scottish history and is an intrinsic part of the heritage of Scotland.

Early Origins of the Dysart family

The surname Dysart was first found in Fifeshire at Dysart, a former town and royal burgh located on the south-east coast between Kirkcaldy and West Wemyss. It was once part of a lands owned by the Sinclair Clan. A local saying “as old as the three trees of Dysart” eludes to the town's ancient origins. Derived from the Gaelic "dìseart," meaning "height of God." However, some believe that the name was derived from the Latin word “deserta” meaning “the fasting place of a holy man” in reference to the legend of St. Serf who came to Dysart around 500 AD.

Early History of the Dysart family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Dysart research. Another 107 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1150, 1427, 1542 and 1569 are included under the topic Early Dysart History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Dysart Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Dysart, Dishart, Dyshart, Dysert, Disert and others.

Early Notables of the Dysart family

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

Dysart Ranking

In the United States, the name Dysart is the 11,887th most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. [1]


United States Dysart migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Dysart Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Alexander Dysart who arrived in Philadelphia in 1787 along with Joseph
  • Joseph Dysart, who arrived in Philadelphia in 1787
Dysart Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Jane Dysart, who landed in America in 1805 [2]
  • William Dysart, aged 35, who landed in New York, NY in 1805 [2]
  • William Dysart, who arrived in America in 1805 [2]
  • George Dysart, who settled in Baltimore in 1823
  • Joseph Dysart, who arrived in Philadelphia in 1856

Canada Dysart migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Dysart Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • James Dysart, aged 25, a farmer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Madawaska" in 1833
  • Sarah Dysart, aged 25, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Madawaska" in 1833
  • Robert Dysart, aged 19, who arrived in Quebec in 1834

Australia Dysart migration to Australia +

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

Dysart Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Sarah Dysart, aged 20, a servant, who arrived in South Australia in 1855 aboard the ship "Constantine"

Contemporary Notables of the name Dysart (post 1700) +

  • Eric Dysart, American actor of Broadway, film and television
  • Joshua Dysart (b. 1971), Eisner Award-nominated, New York Times Best Selling American comic book writer
  • Richard Dysart (b. 1929), American film actor
  • Leland Dysart, American Republican politician, Candidate in primary for Texas State Board of Education 14th District, 1994 [3]
  • Frank Dysart, American Republican politician, Delegate to Republican National Convention from Arizona Territory, 1900 [3]
  • Benjamin R. Dysart, American politician, Delegate to Missouri State Constitutional Convention 8th District, 1875 [3]
  • Alexander Dysart, American Democratic Party politician, Member of Pennsylvania State Senate 12th District, 1816-20 [3]
  • Tommy Dysart, Scottish-born actor, currently resident in Australia
  • Allison A Dysart (1880-1962), New Brunswick politician, lawyer and judge
  • Shirley Theresa Dysart, Canadian former teacher and New Brunswick politician


  1. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  2. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
  3. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 9) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html


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