Surname Dalmahoy - Meaning and Origin
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Dalmahoy: What does the surname Dalmahoy mean?
The last name Dalmahoy is of Scottish origin and is derived from the Scottish Gaelic words “dail,” meaning “field,” and “ma hoidhe,” which means “plain.” Together, the words mean “plain of fields.”
The name can be used to identify a person who originated from the small village of Dalmahoy, which still exists today in Scotland, located south of Edinburgh near the base of the Pentland Hills.
The first recorded mention of the village of Dalmahoy originates back to the 16th century. Records show that prior to that, areas that would later become the village of Dalmahoy were part of a large royal hunting forest called the “Forest of Strathbrock.”
The area of the forest extended South to the village of Dalmahoy and West to the surrounding villages.
The families that lived in Dalmahoy would have likely been employed in farming and agricultural related jobs as this was the primary industry in the area at the time.
Today, the last name Dalmahoy is still popular in Scotland, but has spread to other parts of the world due to emigration during the 19th and early 20th centuries.
The name is still often associated with the beautiful landscape of the surrounding area and still carries a sense of belonging and identity to those who carry the name.
Order DNA origin analysisDalmahoy: Where does the name Dalmahoy come from?
The last name Dalmahoy is most commonly found in Scotland. In 2017, Dalmahoy was the 814th most common surname in Scotland, with approximately 2,400 instances reported throughout the country. It is believed to be of Scots origin, taken from several villages in East Lothian and Midlothian.
In the United States, there are fewer than 1,000 people with the Dalmahoy surname. It is less common than in Scotland, but still found throughout the country, particularly in the Midwest, Eastern Seaboard and West Coast, with notable states such as Michigan, Pennsylvania and California all having several hundred holders of the name.
Elsewhere, Canada has several hundred individuals with the surname, with Ontario being the location with the most concentration of Dalmahoy. Australia is another popular location, boasting a concentration of Dalmahoy mainly in various cities in New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria.
The origin of the name is uncertain. One theory is that it was derived from the Middle English term ‘dalemu’, meaning ‘valley’, and the Old English term ‘hoh’, meaning ‘mound’. Alternatively, the first part of the name may have been derived from an Old Norse personal name, possibly meaning ‘valley-dweller’ or ‘valley-dwellers dwelling place’.
Throughout its geographic range, the traditional spelling for Dalmahoy is the same. However, the name has had variant spellings over time, most of which are now rare or obsolete, these including Dalmahon, Dalmahoye, Dalmahonay, Dalmehie and Delahoy.
Variations of the surname Dalmahoy
Dalmahoy is a Scottish surname that originated in the twelfth century as a place name from the lands of Dalmahoy in Kirkmahoe near Dumfries and Galloway. It is derived from the Gaelic word dail and the Old Norse word haugr, meaning “field” and “mound” respectively. It is sometimes spelled Dalmahoe, Dalmhoe, Dalmhow, Dalmhowe, Dalemowe, Dalemow, Dalemough, Dalmahough or Dalhoun. Variants of the name include Dalmahowe, Dalmahow, Dalmoe, Delmahow, Dellmahow, Dalmohoe and Dalphoe.
Surnames associated with Dalmahoy include Dalmahoye, Dalmahoe, Dalmahow, Dalerhoe and Dalerhow.
It is believed that the family of Kelburn, or Kelburne, takes its name from their once possession of the lands of Dalmahoy. The Kelburn family were granted the lands of Dalmahoy by Robert I (the Bruce).
In recent years, the surname has been scattered geographically, as people of the same surname have moved to various parts of the world. In recent records, the surname Dalmahoy can be found in places like Australia, Canada, the United States, England, Scotland and Ireland.
Many people today will use common nicknames or patronymics of the surname such as “Dalmy” or "Dalmahoye.” Other modern equivalents include “MacDalmahoy,” “McDalemow,” “McDalmahow” and “McDalmahoe.”
Despite its regional origin, the surname Dalmahoy has diverse spellings and variations—each with its own unique history and identity. The variations of the surname Dalmahoy provide an interesting insight into the historical and cultural roots of the family tree.
Famous people with the name Dalmahoy
- Sir Harry Elworthy Dalmahoy: 3rd Baronet of Dalmahoy who was awarded the Order of the British Empire for his work in public service during the war.
- Craig Dalmahoy: Former footballer for Manchester United and Bradford City.
- George Dalmahoy: Scottish Poet and dramatist from the 18th century.
- William Dalmahoy: Politician in Scotland in the 18th century.
- Kirsteen Dalmahoy: 22nd of Dalmahoy, Lady of the Order of the British Empire.
- Lady Sarah Dalmahoy: Wrote numerous books about her upbringing in Dalmahoy Castle.
- Lady Margaret Dalmahoy: Wife of William Dalmahoy, who was a famous actress in the 18th century.
- Peter Dalmahoy: Singer and composer who released two solo albums in the 1980s.
- Alexander Dalmahoy: Television Producer and Director who has worked on several successful shows.
- Roger Dalmahoy: Painter from the 18th century best known for his still life and landscape paintings.