Show ContentsDurland History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Durland comes from the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. It was a name for 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 Durland family

The surname Durland 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 Durland family

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

Durland Spelling Variations

Only recently has spelling become standardized in the English language. As the English language evolved in the Middle Ages, the spelling of names changed also. The name Durland has undergone many spelling variations, including Darling, Derling, Darlin, Durling, Darline, Derline, Derlin and many more.

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

Ireland Migration of the Durland family to Ireland

Some of the Durland 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 Durland migration to the United States +

To escape the unstable social climate in England of this time, many families boarded ships for the New World with the hope of finding land, opportunity, and greater religious and political freedom. Although the voyages were expensive, crowded, and difficult, those families that arrived often found greater opportunities and freedoms than they could have experienced at home. Many of those families went on to make significant contributions to the rapidly developing colonies in which they settled. Early North American records indicate many people bearing the name Durland were among those contributors:

Durland Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Fred. L. Durland, aged 35, who immigrated to the United States, in 1904
  • Mrs. Fred. L. Durland, aged 27, who landed in America, in 1904
  • Antoinette Durland, who immigrated to the United States, in 1905
  • Carmen Durland, aged 28, who settled in America, in 1905
  • John Durland, aged 0, who immigrated to America, in 1905
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Durland (post 1700) +

  • William Durland (b. 1931), U.S. attorney, peace activist, author, and former member of the Virginia State Legislature
  • Daniel T. Durland, American politician, Member of New York State Assembly from Orange County 3rd District, 1850 6
  • Coe Durland, American Republican politician, Delegate to Republican National Convention from Pennsylvania, 1900 6
  • C. B. Durland, American politician, Mayor of Norfolk, Nebraska, 1907 6
  • A. J. Durland (b. 1855), American Democratic Party politician, Member of Nebraska State Senate, 1885-86 6
  • Glenn Durland Paige (b. 1929), American political scientist and Professor Emeritus of political science at the University of Hawai‘i
  • Oscar Durland Tuthill (1877-1936), American Republican politician, First selectman of Greenwich, Connecticut, 1921-36 7


  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 2015, November 4) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
  7. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2016, January 7) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html


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