[1] The family was descended from Sir Robert Dowdall (died 1482), Chief Justice of the Irish Common Pleas.
The first baronet was a supporter of Charles I of England in Ireland and was a beneficiary of the Act of Settlement 1662.
[2] He remained loyal to James II following the Glorious Revolution.
[3] He was succeeded by his son, Laurence Dowdall, but the first baronet was attainted posthumously by William III of England on 6 April 1691.
Following the second baronet's death in 1700, his brothers Daniel and James claimed succession to the forfeited baronetcy but without legal legitimacy.