Show ContentsDorland Surname History

Dorland is an ancient Anglo-Saxon name. It was a name given to 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 Dorland family

The surname Dorland 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 Dorland family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Dorland 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 Dorland History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Dorland Spelling Variations

One relatively recent invention that did much to standardize English spelling was the printing press. However, before its invention even the most literate people recorded their names according to sound rather than spelling. The spelling variations under which the name Dorland has appeared include Darling, Derling, Darlin, Durling, Darline, Derline, Derlin and many more.

Early Notables of the Dorland 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 Dorland Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Dorland family to Ireland

Some of the Dorland 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.


United States Dorland migration to the United States +

At this time, the shores of the New World beckoned many English families that felt that the social climate in England was oppressive and lacked opportunity for change. Thousands left England at great expense in ships that were overcrowded and full of disease. A great portion of these settlers never survived the journey and even a greater number arrived sick, starving, and without a penny. The survivors, however, were often greeted with greater opportunity than they could have experienced back home. These English settlers made significant contributions to those colonies that would eventually become the United States and Canada. An examination of early immigration records and passenger ship lists revealed that people bearing the name Dorland arrived in North America very early:

Dorland Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Jan Gerrise Dorland, who landed in New York in 1652 6
Dorland Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Mr. Dorland, who arrived in San Francisco, California in 1851 6
  • Mrs. Dorland, who landed in San Francisco, California in 1851 6

Canada Dorland migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Dorland Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • Doty U.E. who settled in New Brunswick c. 1783 part of the Penobscot Association 7
  • Mr. Peter Dorn U.E. who settled in Eastern District [Cornwall], Ontario c. 1784 7
Dorland Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • David Dorland, who arrived in Canada in 1831


  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. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
  7. Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X


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