Show ContentsDarlene Surname History

Darlene is an ancient name dating from the times of the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. It was a name for a person who was a person who was greatly loved by his friends and family. The surname was originally derived from the word deorling, which meant darling. 1 2

Early Origins of the Darlene family

The surname Darlene was first found in Devon where Oter Dirlinges sunu was listed (1100-1130.) 3

However, another source claims there is an even older Saxon reference "AElfmar Dyrling, a noble youth is mentioned in the Saxon Chronicle." 4

The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle dates back to the late 9th century probably in Wessex and was updated through 1154. The name Derling with no personal name was listed in Bedfordshire 1133-1160 and later in the Pipe Rolls of Devon in 1177. In the same year many miles to the north, the first listing of the name in Scotland was found specifically Derlig de Ardift who was a witness to a charter. 5

But continuing the quest in England, we found Durling atte Forde in 1330, William Dierling (Derling) in the Pipe Rolls of Devon 1195-1196. 3 The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 lists: Ricardus Derlyng; Adam Derlyng; and Johannes Derlyng. 2

A few years later in Scotland, Waldevus Darling or Derlyng was a charter witness in Roxburgh c. 1338. Sir John Derlynge was precentor of Caithness in 1368 and later John Derling and Andrew Derling were burgesses of Edinburgh in 1381. 5

Early History of the Darlene family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Darlene research. Another 66 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1772, 1775, 1778, 1793, 1815, 1825, 1831, 1838, 1842, 1848, 1858, 1860 and 1865 are included under the topic Early Darlene History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Darlene Spelling Variations

Until the dictionary, an invention of only the last few hundred years, the English language lacked any comprehensive system of spelling rules. Consequently, spelling variations in names are frequently found in early Anglo-Saxon and later Anglo-Norman documents. One person's name was often spelled several different ways over a lifetime. The recorded variations of Darlene include Darling, Derling, Darlin, Durling, Darline, Derline, Derlin and many more.

Early Notables of the Darlene family

Distinguished members of the family include General Sir Ralph Darling, GCH (1772-1858), a British colonial Governor and the seventh Governor of New South Wales (from 19 December 1825 to 22 October 1831). He "was son of Christopher Darling, who was promoted from sergeant-major to the adjutancy of the 45th foot in...
Another 50 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Darlene Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Darlene family to Ireland

Some of the Darlene family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Darlene family

Thousands of English families boarded ships sailing to the New World in the hope of escaping the unrest found in England at this time. Although the search for opportunity and freedom from persecution abroad took the lives of many because of the cramped conditions and unsanitary nature of the vessels, the opportunity perceived in the growing colonies of North America beckoned. Many of the settlers who survived the journey went on to make important contributions to the transplanted cultures of their adopted countries. The Darlene were among these contributors, for they have been located in early North American records: Francis Darling who settled in Virginia in 1654; George Darling settled in Boston in 1651; another George Darling settled in Virginia in 1774; Richard Darling settled in Virginia in 1651 with his wife Ruth..


Contemporary Notables of the name Darlene (post 1700) +

  • E. Darlene Strock, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Maryland, 1988 6
  • Colonel Yvonne Darlene Cagle M.D. (b. 1959), American Air Force officer and NASA astronaut
  • Darlene Fleckney, real estate professional from Halifax, Nova Scotia
  • Darlene Ruth Hard (1936-2021), American professional tennis player; she captured singles titles at the French Championships in 1960 and the U.S. Championships in 1960 and 1961
  • Darlene Enlow (1939-2009), American actress from Independence, Missouri, known for Diary of a Bachelor (1964), It Takes a Thief (1968) and Perry Mason (1957)
  • Darlene Pomales, birth name of Darlene Rodriguez, American co-anchor of Today in New York on WNBC
  • Darlene Tejeiro (b. 1975), American actress from Union City, New Jersey, known for her work in Star Trek (2009), Starsky & Hutch (2004), All My Children (1995-1999)
  • Darlene Kay Olson Hooley (b. 1939), American politician, Democratic member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Oregon (1997-2009)
  • Darlene Kordonowy, American politician, Mayor of Bainbridge Island, Washington, 2002-
  • Darlene Mickelsen, American fourth outfielder who played in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League in 1943 and 1945


  1. Hanks, Patricia and Flavia Hodges, A Dictionary of Surnames. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1988. Print. (ISBN 0-19-211592-8)
  2. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  3. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  4. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  5. Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
  6. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2016, January 26) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html


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