Darley History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:

England

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Darley is one of the names that was brought to England in the wave of migration following the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Darley family lived in Derbyshire. They were originally from Erle in Calvados, Normandy, and it is from the local form of this name, D'Erle, which means, from Erle, that their name derives. 1

Early Origins of the Darley family

The surname Darley was first found in Derbyshire at Darley, a parish, in the union of Bakewell, partly in the hundred of Wirksworth. Darley Abbey is a historic mill village, now a suburb of the city of Derby and Darley Dale, also known simply as Darley, is a town and civil parish.

Darley Dale dates back to the Domesday Book of 1086 where it was first listed as Dereleie. 2 Darley Abbey was an Augustinian monastery that dates back to the 12th century when it was first listed as Derega. 3

In the parish of Lastingham, in the North Riding of Yorkshire, the Darley family have been lords of the manor there for a considerable time.

Early History of the Darley family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Darley research. Another 86 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1702, 1795 and 1846 are included under the topic Early Darley History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Darley Spelling Variations

Before the advent of the printing press and the first dictionaries, the English language was not standardized. Sound was what guided spelling in the Middle Ages, so one person's name was often recorded under several variations during a single lifetime. Spelling variations were common, even among the names of the most literate people. Known variations of the Darley family name include Darley, Darleigh, Darligh, Darly and others.

Early Notables of the Darley family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was

George Darley (1795-1846), an Irish poet, novelist, and critic
Thomas Darley of Aldby Park who in 1702 bought an Arabian horse named Darley Arabian. This horse's bloodline is thought to be in over 95% of today's racehorses

Darley Ranking

In the United States, the name Darley is the 16,580^th most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 4

Migration of the Darley family to Ireland

Some of the Darley 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.

Darley migration to the United States +

To escape the political and religious chaos of this era, thousands of English families began to migrate to the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. The passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe; however, those who made the voyage safely were encountered opportunities that were not available to them in their homeland. Many of the families that reached the New World at this time went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations of the United States and Canada. Research into various historical records has revealed some of first members of the Darley family to immigrate North America:

Darley Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Tho Darley, who landed in Virginia in 1657 5
Ross Darley, who arrived in Virginia in 1698 5

Darley Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

James Darley who settled in Maryland in 1738
John and William Darley, who arrived in Philadelphia in 1798
Benjamin Darley, who landed in Mississippi in 1798 5
Thomas Darley, who arrived in Mississippi in 1798 5

Darley Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Richard and William Darley, who arrived in Philadelphia in 1854

Darley migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Darley Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

John Darley, who arrived in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1750

Darley migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Darley Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Elizabeth Darley, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Lysander" in 1840 6
John Darley, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Lysander" in 1840 6
Mary Darley, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Lysander" in 1840 6
Mr. James Darley, English convict who was convicted in Salford, Greater Manchester, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Elphinstone" on 28th July 1842, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 7

Darley migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Darley Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Col. Sgt. B. Darley, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Joseph Fletcher" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 31st August 1852 8
Mr. S. Darley, British settler travelling from Gravesend aboard the ship "Hydaspes" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 28th October 1868 8
Henry Darley, aged 37, a mason, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Oxford" in 1874
Mary Darley, aged 35, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Oxford" in 1874
Mr. J.D. Darley, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Lady Jocelyn" arriving in Tauranga, Bay of Plenty, North Island, New Zealand on 2nd January 1881, en-route to Te Puke, New Zealand 8
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Darley (post 1700) +

Ward Darley Jr. (1903-1979), American educator and physician who served as president of the University of Colorado and dean of its School of Medicine
Felix Octavius Carr Darley (1822-1888), American artist
J. Walter Darley, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Connecticut, 1940; Secretary of Connecticut Democratic Party, 1940 9
Blanche Darley, American Democratic Party politician, Member of Democratic National Committee from Texas, 2004; Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Texas, 2004, 2008 9
John Darley (b. 1938), distinguished U.S. social psychologist
George Darley (1795-1846), Irish poet
Robert Darley Waddilove (1736-1828), English divine, Dean of Ripon, son of Abel Darley of Boroughbridge; he assumed the surname after inheriting landed property at Boroughbridge from his uncle, Robert Waddilove, president of Bernard's Inn 10

The Darley Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Per mare
Motto Translation: By sea.