Scotland
IrelandThe current generations of the Dollays family have inherited a surname that was first used hundreds of years ago by descendants of the ancient Scottish tribe called the Picts. The Dollays 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]
The surname Dollays 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.
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Dollays research. Another 102 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1292, 1600, 1756, 1824, 1791, 1869, 1617, 1630, 1702 and are included under the topic Early Dollays History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Scribes in the Middle Ages did not have access to a set of spelling rules. They spelled according to sound, the result was a great number of spelling variations. In various documents, Dollays has been spelled Dallas, Doleys, Dolas, Dolles, Dulles, Dallass, Dolays, Dalhouse and many more.
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 Dollays Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Migration of the Dollays family to IrelandSome of the Dollays 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.
The cruelties suffered under the new government forced many to leave their ancient homeland for the freedom of the North American colonies. Those who arrived safely found land, freedom, and opportunity for the taking. These hardy settlers gave their strength and perseverance to the young nations that would become the United States and Canada. Immigration and passenger lists have shown many early immigrants bearing the name Dollays: 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.
