Contents [hide]

Dale History Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables World Ranking

United States Canada Australia New Zealand West Indies

Contemporary Notables Historic Events Related Stories Suggested Reading Citations

Dale History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Scotland

The origins of the Dale name lie with England's ancient Anglo-Saxon culture. It comes from when the family lived in the area referred to as the daleor a valley. 1 2 "The medieval form was At Dale, softened afterwards to A'Dale, as often found in parish registers of the XVI. cent., and widely renowned through the ballad of Robin Hood and Allin a'Dale." 3

Early Origins of the Dale family

The surname Dale was first found in Yorkshire where the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 listed Thomas del Dale; Willelmus at Dale; and Johannes at Dale as all holding lands there at that time. 4

Actually there were earlier listings of the family that should now be mentioned. Those were found in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 and both were in Suffolk: Ralph de la Dale and Thomas de la Dale. 4

Sir Thomas de la Dale (c.1316-1373) was an English-born judge and landowner, who held the office of Lord Chief Justice of Ireland, and also served as Lord Deputy of Ireland. He was born at Little Barford, Bedfordshire, son of Thomas de la Dale.

John atte Dale was listed in the Subsidy Rolls for Sussex in 1327 and later, Nicholas Daile was listed a Freeman of York in 1481. 5

Further to the north in Scotland, we found Johannes de Dale was charter witness at Yester, 1374 and later, Syme of Daile and Jok of Dail of the Newtoun was listed in Ayrshire, 1470. 6

Early History of the Dale family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Dale research. Another 121 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1275, 1379, 1541, 1542, 1545, 1562, 1567, 1570, 1589, 1609, 1611, 1614, 1616, 1619, 1634, 1659, 1674, 1686 and 1739 are included under the topic Early Dale History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Dale Spelling Variations

Before the last few hundred years, the English language had no fast system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations are commonly found in early Anglo-Saxon surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Dale were recorded, including Dale, Daile, Dales, Dayle, Daele and others.

Early Notables of the Dale family

Notables of this surname at this time include:

Valentine Dale (d. 1589), English civilian and diplomatist, supplicated the University of Oxford in 1541 for the degree of B.A., but does not appear to have been admitted. He was, however, elected a f...
Sir Thomas Dale (d. 1619), was a British Naval Commander sent in 1609 to Virginia as marshal of the colony, the government of which was then reorganised on a military footing under Lord De la Warr. (N...
Samuel Dale (1659?-1739), was an English physician, son of North. Dale, of St. Mary, Whitechapel, silk-thrower. "Apprenticed for eight years to an apothecary in 1674, we find him practising as a physi...

Dale World Ranking

In the United States, the name Dale is the 957^th most popular surname with an estimated 32,331 people with that name. 7 However, in Australia, the name Dale is ranked the 417^th most popular surname with an estimated 8,920 people with that name. 8 And in New Zealand, the name Dale is the 437^th popular surname with an estimated 1,543 people with that name. 9 The United Kingdom ranks Dale as 342^nd with 18,171 people. 10

Dale migration to the United States +

To escape oppression and starvation at that time, many English families left for the "open frontiers" of the New World with all its perceived opportunities. In droves people migrated to the many British colonies, those in North America in particular, paying high rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Although many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, those who did see the shores of North America perceived great opportunities before them. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Research into various historical records revealed some of first members of the Dale family emigrate to North America:

Dale Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Nicholas Dale, aged 20 who arrived in Virginia in 1624 aboard the ship "Jacob" 11
Sir Thomas Dale, who settled in Virginia in 1626
Humphry Dale, who landed in Virginia in 1638 11
Jon Dale, who arrived in Virginia in 1638 11
Edward Dale, who arrived in Virginia in 1642 11
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Dale Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Samuel Dale, who landed in Virginia in 1703 11
Danl Dale, who arrived in Virginia in 1714 11

Dale Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Daniel Dale, who landed in New York, NY in 1816 11
Samuel Dale, who arrived in New York, NY in 1816 11
William A Tweed Dale, who arrived in New York in 1816 11
Charles Augustus Dale, who arrived in New York in 1817 11
William Dale, who arrived in New York in 1831 11
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Dale Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Mr. Harry Dale, (b. 1878), aged 27, Cornish mechanical engineer travelling aboard the ship "St Louis" arriving at Ellis Island, New York in 1905 en route to California, USA 12
Mr. James Dale, (b. 1883), aged 22, Cornish farm labourer travelling aboard the ship "St Paul" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 17th December 1905 en route to Bakersfield, California, USA 12

Dale migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Dale Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

John Dale, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1749
John Dale, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1750
Sarah Dale, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1750

Dale migration to Australia +

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

Dale Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. John Dale, (b. 1803), aged 23, Irish farm labourer who was convicted in Cork, Ireland for 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the "Boyne" on 28th October 1826, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 13
Mr. John Dale who was convicted in Lancaster, Lancashire, England for 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the "Circassian" on 4th November 1832, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land), he died in 1833 aboard the ship 14
Mr. Samuel Dale, English convict who was convicted in Chester, Cheshire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Aurora" on 18th June 1835, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 15
Mr. John Dale, (b. 1814), aged 22, English farmer who was convicted in Norfolk, England for 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the "Eden" on 27th August 1836, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land), he died in 1866 16
Mr. Thomas Dale, (b. 1802), aged 34, English farmer who was convicted in Norfolk, England for 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the "Eden" on 27th August 1836, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land), he died in 1879 16
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Dale migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Dale Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

William Dale, who arrived in Port Nicholson aboard the ship "London" in 1842
W Dale, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1842 aboard the ship London
Mr. Thomas Dale, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Inchinnan" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 27th May 1852 17
Thomas Dale, aged 44, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Inchinnan" in 1852 17
Mary Dale, aged 30, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Inchinnan" in 1852 17
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Dale migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. 18

Dale Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century

Thomas Dale, who settled in Barbados in 1635
Mr. Thomas Dale, (b. 1607), aged 28, British settler travelling from London, England aboard the ship "Anne and Elizabeth" arriving in Barbados in 1635 19

Contemporary Notables of the name Dale (post 1700) +

Shana L. Dale (b. 1964), American politician and lawyer, Deputy Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in the George W. Bush administration from 2005 to 2009
Dick Dale (1937-2019), stage name of Richard Anthony Monsour, an American rock guitarist, known as "The King of the Surf Guitar", which was also the title of his second studio album
Alan Dale (1925-2002), born Aldo Sigismondi, an American singer of traditional popular and rock and roll music
Virginia Dale (1917-1994), born Virginia Paxton, an American actress and dancer
Esther Dale (1885-1961), American actress of the stage and screen, best known for her role as Aunt Genevieve in the 1935 Shirley Temple vehicle, Curly Top
Ian Anthony Dale (b. 1978), American actor, known for his roles as Adam Noshimuri on Hawaii Five-0, Harris Edwards on Salvation, Simon Lee on The Event, Davis Lee on Surface, Avatar Gamma on Charmed and Kazuya Mishima in Tekken.
Thomas Dale (1729-1816), American physician, was the son of Dr. Thomas Dale, of Charlestown, South Carolina
Edgar Dale (1900-1985), American educator from Benson, Minnesota who developed the Cone of Experience
James Badge Dale (b. 1978), American actor most famous for his role of Chase Edmunds in the third season of 24
Jim Dale MBE (b. 1935), born James Smith, an English actor, composer, director, narrator, singer and songwriter, nominated for both an Academy Award and Golden Globe Award for the song "Georgy Girl"
... (Another 16 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Dale family +

Empress of Ireland

Mrs. Mary Dale (1888-1914), née Parker Canadian Second Class Passenger from Toronto, Ontario, Canada who was traveling aboard the Empress of Ireland and died in the sinking 20
Miss Reta Betty Dale (1912-1914), Canadian Second Class Passenger from Toronto, Ontario, Canada who was traveling aboard the Empress of Ireland and died in the sinking 20

HMS Hood

Mr. Richard H Dale, (), English Lieutenant (E) serving for the Royal Navy from Falmouth, Cornwall, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 21

RMS Lusitania

Mr. William Dale, Irish 2nd Class passenger from Toronto, Ontario, Canada, who sailed aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and died in the sinking 22

Citations +

Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
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)
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
"Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
"Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
"UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
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)
Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 3rd May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_ellis_island_1892_on.pdf
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 27th October 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/Boyne
Convict Records of Australia. Retrieved 8th February 2021 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/circassian
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 20th August 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/aurora
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 20th October 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/eden
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
Pilgrim Ship Lists Early 1600's. Retrieved 23rd September 2021 from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
Commemoration Empress of Ireland 2014. (Retrieved 2014, June 16) . Retrieved from http://www.empress2014.ca/seclangen/listepsc1.html
H.M.S. Hood Association-Battle Cruiser Hood: Crew Information - H.M.S. Hood Rolls of Honour, Men Lost in the Sinking of H.M.S. Hood, 24th May 1941. (Retrieved 2016, July 15) . Retrieved from http://www.hmshood.com/crew/memorial/roh_24may41.htm
Lusitania Passenger List - The Lusitania Resource. (Retrieved 2014, March 7) . Retrieved from http://www.rmslusitania.info/lusitania-passenger-list/