The saga of the Doylas family begins among the people of the ancient tribe of the Picts. They 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 Doylas 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 Doylas 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 Doylas History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Although Medieval Scotland lacked a basic set of spelling rules, which meant that scribes recorded names according to their sounds it was not uncommon for the names of a father and son to be recorded differently. As a result, there are many spelling variations of Scottish single names. Doylas has been written 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 Doylas Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Some of the Doylas 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.
Thousands of Scots left their home country to travel to Ireland or Australia, or to cross the Atlantic for the North American colonies. The difficult crossing was an enormous hurdle, but those who survived found freedom and opportunity in ample measure. Some Scots even fought for their freedom in the American War of Independence. This century, their ancestors have become aware of the illustrious history of the Scots in North America and at home through Clan societies and other organizations. Passenger and immigration lists show many early and influential immigrants bearing the name Doylas: 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.