Where did the word dalmatian come from?

Dalmatian is derived from the name of the region of Dalmatia, located in the Western Balkans and historically part of Croatia. The Roman province of Dalmatia was named after the Illyrian tribe known as the Dalmatae, who inhabited the region in ancient times. The word "dalmatian" was initially used to refer to people or things associated with the region of Dalmatia, including the distinctive spotted breed of dog known as the Dalmatian.