Show ContentsDeliss History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Deliss is a name whose ancestors lived among the Picts, a tribe in ancient Scotland. The Deliss family lived in a place named Dallas in Moray, near the royal burgh of Forres. The place name Dallas comes from the Gaelic dail or "meadow," and fas or "dwelling." Another source claims "this place takes its name from the two Gaelic words dale, a vale or plain, and uis, contracted from uisge, water." 1

Early Origins of the Deliss family

The surname Deliss was first found in Moray. "The first of the family was Willelmus de Rypeley, an Englishman, who obtained a grant or confirmation of the lands of Dolays Mykel from William the Lion. Archebaldus de Doleys appears as juror on an inquisition on the lands of Mefth in 1262." 2 Sir William de Doleys, knight, was living in 1286; and in 1367 appears John de Dolais, Thane of Cromdale.

Early History of the Deliss family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Deliss research. Another 102 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1292, 1600, 1617, 1630, 1702, 1756, 1791, 1824, 1869 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Deliss History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Deliss Spelling Variations

The appearance of the printing press and the first dictionaries in the last few hundred years did much to standardize spelling. Prior to that time scribes spelled according to sound, a practice that resulted in many spelling variations. Deliss has been spelled Dallas, Doleys, Dolas, Dolles, Dulles, Dallass, Dolays, Dalhouse and many more.

Early Notables of the Deliss family

Notable amongst the Clan at this time was Sir Robert Dallas, SL, KC (1756-1824) an English judge, Chief Justice of the Common Pleas, the eldest son of Robert Dallas of Cooper's Court, St. Michael's, Cornhill. Alexander Robert Charles Dallas (1791-1869)...
Another 39 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Deliss Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Deliss family to Ireland

Some of the Deliss family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 73 words (5 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Deliss family

The expense of the crossing to the North American colonies seemed small beside the difficulties of remaining in Scotland. It was a long and hard trip, but at its end lay the reward of freedom. Some Scots remained faithful to England and called themselves United Empire Loyalists, while others fought in the American War of Independence. Much of this lost Scottish heritage has been recovered in the last century through Clan societies and other patriotic Scottish organizations. A search of immigration and passenger lists revealed many important, early immigrants to North America bearing the name of Deliss: Alexander Dallas who settled in Jamaica in 1775; Jacob, John, Joseph, Mathew, Samuel, Thomas, and William Dallas all arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania between 1830 and 1865.



The Deliss Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Semper paratus
Motto Translation: Always prepared.


  1. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of Scotland. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, 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)


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