Show ContentsDarras History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The family name Darras is believed to be descended originally from the Norman race. The Normans were commonly believed to be of French origin but were, more accurately, of Viking origin. The Vikings landed in the Orkneys and Northern Scotland about 870 AD, under their King, Stirgud the Stout. Later, under their Jarl, Thorfinn Rollo, they invaded France about 911 AD. The French King, Charles the Simple, after Rollo laid siege to Paris, finally conceded defeat and granted northern France to Rollo. Rollo became the first Duke of Normandy. Duke William, who invaded and defeated England in 1066, descended from the first Duke Rollo of Normandy. The Darras name is a reference to Artois, France, where the family lived prior to emigrating to Scotland.

Early Origins of the Darras family

The surname Darras was first found in Staffordshire, where they were Lords of the manor of Arras from early times. They were descended from Bagod of Arras who was descended from the Carloviginian, Count of Artois. Sir Robert Arras held the village of Bromley in that shire from Robert De Toeni, he was Lord of the manor of Arras in Buckinghamshire. But the main branch of the family moved north into Scotland in the train of King David I of Scotland about 1130, who granted them lands in Dumfries.

Early History of the Darras family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Darras research. Another 85 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1273, 1296, 1332, 1525 and 1565 are included under the topic Early Darras History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Darras Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Arris, Aris, Ariss, Arras, Arres, Arros, Arrows, Arowes, Arwys, Arrarous, Arrous and many more.

Early Notables of the Darras family

More information is included under the topic Early Darras Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Darras Ranking

In France, the name Darras is the 717th most popular surname with an estimated 6,787 people with that name. 1

Migration of the Darras family

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: Nicholas Arras, who settled in Virginia in 1623; John Arris sailed to Virginia in 1642; John Aris sailed to Maryland in 1674; Charles Arras landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1860.


Contemporary Notables of the name Darras (post 1700) +

  • Major-General Jacques-Marie-Toussaint d'Arras (1881-1972), French General Officer Commanding 1st Light Cavalry Division (1940) 2


  1. http://www.journaldesfemmes.com/nom-de-famille/nom/
  2. Generals of World War II. (Retrieved 2011, October 3) Jacques-Marie-Toussaint d'Arras. Retrieved from http://generals.dk/general/d%27Arras/Jacques-Marie-Toussaint/France.html


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