William Dallas

William Dallas, "chief of his name".

"The family of Dallas is of great antiquity in the counties of Elgin and Nairn, and derives its name from the locality which was the original settlement of the clan. Dallas is a parish of Elginshire, in the presbytery of Forres, and synod of Moray. The name is composed of two Gaelic words - dale, a valley or plain, and uis, contracted from uisge, water". (Burkes Peerage 1870)

The family traced its "lineal male descent from Sir William de Doleys, Knt., Lord of Doleys 1289, through John de Dolas, chief of his name and first of Cantray 1442". (Burkes Landed Gentry 1886)