Clan Dalziel is a Scottish Lowland clan with one of the boldest mottoes and strangest legends in all of Scottish heraldry. Spelled Dalziel, Dalzell, or Dalyell and pronounced “dee-ELL,” the name has puzzled outsiders for centuries while its bearers wore it with defiant pride.
Quick answer: Dalziel (also spelled Dalzell and Dalyell, pronounced “dee-ELL”) is a Scottish clan from the lands of Dalziel in Lanarkshire; its motto is “I dare.”
Where Does the Dalziel Name Come From?
The name comes from the lands of Dalziel in Lanarkshire, in the Clyde valley of central Scotland. The unusual spelling — with a “z” that is not pronounced as one — reflects an old Scots letter, the yogh, which looked like a z but sounded more like a y; this is why Dalziel is said “dee-ELL.” The variant spellings Dalzell and Dalyell all belong to the same family and name.
The Dalziel Motto and Its Legend
The Dalziel motto is I dare, and a vivid legend explains it. The story tells that a kinsman or favourite of an early Scottish king had been killed and his body hung up by the enemy, and that the king asked who would dare to recover it. One brave man stepped forward and said “dalziel” — taken to mean “I dare” — and retrieved the body, winning both the name and the motto for his descendants. Whatever the truth behind the tale, “I dare” has remained the family's proud watchword ever since.
The Dalziels in Scottish History
The Dalziels became established as a Lowland family of note, holding their Lanarkshire lands and rising to the peerage as Earls of Carnwath. Among the most famous bearers was General Thomas “Tam” Dalyell of the Binns, the formidable royalist soldier of the seventeenth century, remembered for his long career of arms and his striking appearance. From its central-belt roots, the name spread across Scotland and overseas, carried in all its spellings.
Own a Piece of Dalziel Heritage
The Dalziel crest and tartan appear across a range of keepsakes — a crest mug, an outdoor garden flag, a Christmas ornament, apparel, and more — many carrying the bold “I dare” motto. (You'll find these under the Dalyell and Dalzell spellings too.)
Popular Dalziel gifts: Crest Mug · Garden Flag · Crest Apparel
Frequently Asked Questions About the Dalziel Name
How is Dalziel pronounced?
It is said “dee-ELL” — the “z” represents an old Scots letter and is not sounded as a modern z.
What does the Dalziel motto mean?
The motto “I dare” is tied to a legend of a man who dared to recover a king's slain kinsman.
Is it spelled Dalziel, Dalzell, or Dalyell?
All three are spellings of the same Lanarkshire name and family.
What nationality is the Dalziel surname?
Dalziel is Scottish, a Lowland clan from Lanarkshire in the central belt.
If you're proud of your Dalziel heritage, you can explore gifts and home décor featuring the Dalziel name by using the search bar above.
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