Show ContentsDalleyhell History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Dalleyhell

What does the name Dalleyhell mean?

The surname is descended from a Norman noble who entered England in 1066 and was granted lands in England but was invited north by King David of Scotland about the year 1150, who granted him the lands of Dalyell. In Lanarkshire they were officially seated from the year 1259 on the lands of Dalyell meaning 'the beautiful meadow' on the banks of the River Clyde.

A word of explanation on the different spellings and pronunciations of this name is needed as its always been a source of confusion. The following ancient rhyme from Galloway (in South-West Scotland) perhaps indicates some of the early problems with the name: "Deil and Da'yell begins wi' ae letter, Deil's nae gude, and Da'yells nae better."

Dalleyhell Coat of Arms Creation

The crest of the family of Dalziel is a sword, point upwards, and the motto, "I dare."

The story in connection with crest and motto is that a certain favourite kinsman of King Kenneth II. was hanged on a gibbet. The King was vexed that a friend's body should be so disgracefully treated by his enemies, and therefore offered a reward to any who would undertake the dangerous task of rescuing the body. A brave man appeared and said, "Dalziel," which is said to mean in old Scots " I dare," and did it, and thus the crest and motto. 1

Early Origins of the Dalleyhell family

The surname Dalleyhell was first found in Lanarkshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Lannraig) a former county in the central Strathclyde region of Scotland, now divided into the Council Areas of North Lanarkshire, South Lanarkshire, and the City of Glasgow, where they were officially seated from the year 1259 on the lands of Dalyell meaning "the beautiful meadow" on the banks of the River Clyde.

They are descended from a Norman noble who entered England in 1066 and was granted lands in England but was invited north by King David of Scotland about the year 1150, who granted him the lands of Dalyell.

"It is said to have given name to the family upon whom the barony of Dalziel was bestowed by Kenneth II., in recompeuse of some exploit performed by them in the service of that monarch. " 2

Dalzell House, a historic house in Motherwell, North Lanarkshire was built by the Dalzell family in the 15th or early 16th century on lands they had held since the 13th century. Sir Robert Dalzell forfeited these same lands around 1342, for residing in England without the King's consent, but they were restored through marriage in the 15th century.

The House is said to be haunted by three female ghosts all in different colored attire: green; white; and grey. The site was re-developed in the 1980s to be private apartments after falling into disrepair from the 1950s onwards.

Hugh the Dull (1294-c. 1346) was Lord of Douglas, a Scottish nobleman and cleric. He was the second son of William the Hardy, Lord of Douglas and while the name Dull is a known variant of this family, he was in fact a Douglas. However, Dull is today is a village in Perth and Kinross, Scotland and in this case, literally means "a plain" from the Gaelic 3 Another early record for the family shows "Bethan de Doul and Kenachy, and his brother, were jurors on an inquisition held at Perth before Malise, Earl of Stratherne, 1305." 4

Early History of the Dalleyhell family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Dalleyhell research. Another 260 words (19 lines of text) covering the years 1550, 1615, 1628, 1633, 1636, 1639, 1649, 1662, 1685, 1686, 1687, 1689, 1702, 1715, 1737, 1835, 1890 and 1941 are included under the topic Early Dalleyhell History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Dalleyhell Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Dalyell, Dalyiel, Dalzell, Dalziel, Dallyell, Daleel, Dalliel, Dalzel and many more.

Early Notables of the Dalleyhell family

Notable among the family at this time was Robert Dalzell (1550-1636), English 1st Lord Dalzell, created a Lord in 1628, by King Charles I of England; General Tam (Thomas) Dalyell (1615-1685), a Scottish Royalist General in the Wars of the Three Kingdoms; Sir Robert Dalzell, 1st Baronet (1639-1686), a Scottish politician; Sir John...
Another 53 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Dalleyhell Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Dalleyhell family to Ireland

Some of the Dalleyhell family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 58 words (4 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 Dalleyhell family

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: Andrew Dalyell who settled in Boston Massachusetts in 1764; George Dalzel settled in New York State in 1846; Jane Dalzel settled with her family in New Castle, Del. in 1789.



The Dalleyhell 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: I dare


  1. Polson, Alexander, The Romance of Scottish Crests and Mottoes. Inverness: Walter Alexander, Inglis Street 1929. Print
  2. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of Scotland. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  3. Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
  4. 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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