People from Dallas County are proud of their culture even though media and entertainment tend to push the cowboy culture from Texas state more. In 1846, Dallas County was formed, with the city of Dallas serving as the provisional county seat. Dallas became the permanent seat of government over Cedar Springs and Hord's Ridge (Oak Cliff) in 1850, both of which are currently inside the municipal limits.

Thought to have been named for George Mifflin Dallas, the 11th Vice President of the U.S. during the presidency of James K. Polk. However, a widespread belief in the county's formation is that John Neely Bryan persuaded J. P. Dumas in 1844 to survey and draw out a 0.5 square mile (1.3 km2) portion of blocks and streets near what would later become downtown Dallas. Dallas was the name of the establishment, and while it is widely believed the county is the namesake of George Mifflin Dallas, who became vice president the following March, this idea has flaws.

Bryan never got to travel very far east of Memphis, while George M. Dallas lived in Philadelphia and never traveled very far west. So there's a good chance the two never met, and there are at least seven alternative possibilities.

The Seven Alternatives in Naming Dallas:
Named in memory of George M. Dallas's brother, Alexander James Dallas, a United States Navy commodore stationed in the Gulf of Mexico
Also possible named after George's and Alexander's father, Alexander James Dallas, who served as United States Secretary of the Treasury near the close of the War of 1812
A town naming contest in 1842
Name from a buddy of founder John Neely Bryan. Bryan is reported to have named it "after my friend Dallas," however, according to his son, his friend was never confirmed to exist. After later dying in a psychiatric facility, John Neely Bryan's "buddy" may not have been a real person.
Named after Joseph Dallas, who settled near Dallas in 1843
The word "Dallas", rooted in the modern version of the Scottish Gaelic word "Dalais," which means 'valley of water.'
Dallas is a Scottish settlement in Moray, after which many places around the world are named, including Dallas County.