Show ContentsDaisley History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Daisley

What does the name Daisley mean?

The ancestors of the Daisley family were part of an ancient Scottish tribe called the Picts. They lived in Angus (in the modern region of Tayside), and claim descent from Gaelic MacDhai, son of David. 1

Early Origins of the Daisley family

The surname Daisley 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 Daisley family

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

Daisley Spelling Variations

Prior to the invention of the printing press in the last hundred years, documents were basically unique. Names were written according to sound, and often appeared differently each time they were recorded. Spelling variations of the name Daisley include Deas, Dease, Deasey, Deasy, Dais, Daes, Deasson, Deason, Dasone and many more.

Early Notables of the Daisley family

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

Migration of the Daisley family to Ireland

Some of the Daisley 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.


Daisley migration to the United States +

The freedom of the North American colonies was enticing, and many Scots left to make the great crossing. It was a long and hard journey, but its reward was a place where there was more land than people and tolerance was far easier to come by. Many of these people came together to fight for a new nation in the American War of Independence, while others remained loyal to the old order as United Empire Loyalists. The ancestors of Scots in North America have recovered much of this heritage in the 20th century through Clan societies and other such organizations. A search of immigration and passenger lists revealed many important and early immigrants to North America bearing the name of Daisley:

Daisley Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Mrs. Daisley, aged 48, who landed in America, in 1895
Daisley Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Mrs. Howard Daisley, aged 50, who settled in America, in 1904
  • Jenny Daisley, aged 24, who immigrated to the United States, in 1904
  • Richard Daisley, aged 21, who landed in America from Donegal, Ireland, in 1907
  • David Daisley, aged 68, who landed in America, in 1911
  • Frank Warrington Daisley, aged 19, who landed in America from London, England, in 1913
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Daisley (post 1700) +

  • Paul Andrew Daisley (1957-2003), British Labour Party politician, Leader of Brent Borough Council
  • Robert John "Bob" Daisley (b. 1950), Australian musician, bassist and lyricist


  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)


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