1200 (circa) – William de Ripley
According to the history of the Family of Dallas by James Dallas, William de Ripley, who lived from 1165 to 1215, was granted lands at Dallas by King William the Lion.
1203 – Symon, Parson of Dallas
When Bricius Goudlas succeeded to the Bishopric of Moray in 1203 he proceeded to found Spynie in ‘Magna Carta’. One of the witnesses to this charter was Symon, Parson of Dallas. Dallas must therefore have had a church before this date but how much earlier isn’t known. In the organisation of his Cathedral, Bishop Bricius founded eight canons and one of these was the Subdean who always had the Church of Dallas Mychael as a prerequisite of this office.
1226 – Confirmation of Canons
In Charter 691 – Confirmation of the Old and New Canons – by Bishop Andrew Moray in 1226 there is reference to Dallas Michael.
At this time, Adam was given as subdean who subscribed to the Charter and it was also subscribed by ‘Ego Symon vicarious de Dallas Micheal’.
This charter probably gives the first reference to Dallas Kirk but what was this Dallas Kirk? Certainly nothing like it is now. Most likely it would have been built of clay with a thatched roof. It is understood that one of the ancient penalties in connection with church discipline was a “bur’n o’ thatch” for the roof of the kirk.
The charter also mentions the manse and glebe lands and appears to be when the word “manse” first came into use as the residence of the clergy of the parish. The glebe was most likely a croft which was part of church lands. In Dallas, as everywhere else, this croft became, after the Reformation, a glebe and minister’s grass, sufficient for one horse and two cows.
1232 – Transfer of Dallas to Duncan McAth
Andrew, Bishop of Moray, excombed lands at Dallas and transferred them to Duncan, son of Gillemychel McAth. This family is probably the same as MacBeth and are likely to be the forebears of Dallas MacBeth who was in possession of lands at Dallas around 1260 or 1280.
(Note: This contradicts to some extent the fact (above) that William de Ripley was in possession of Dallas. However, the references may refer to different pieces of land. The transfer to Duncan McAth may have been, for example, only lands surrounding the church.)
1237 – Transfer of Kellas to the Church
Alexander II granted the lands of both Manbeen and Kellas “to God, the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Evangelist St. John and the Maison Dieu, Elgin”. Kellas was held in feu from Bishop Andrew Moray by Robert Fyndoc.
1279 – William de Ripley
William de Ripley, a descendant of the first William de Ripley granted lands at Dallas around 1200, received a knighthood from the King and became Sir William of Dallas. He is recorded as being one of the witnesses to Charters in both 1280 and 1286.
One of his successors, called William de Doleys, fought for King Robert the Bruce and had the honour (!!) of being declared a rebel by King Edward 1.
Descendants of Sir William of Dallas remained in the area until around 1440. They dropped the ‘of’ but kept the name Dallas making this the origin of the Dallas family name. Many years later, a descendant called George Mifflin Dallas became Vice President of the United States of America for 1844/5 and had the town of Dallas, Texas named after him.
