Show ContentsDarlingtown History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Darlingtown is of Anglo-Saxon origin and came from when the family lived in the lands of Darlington which originally derived from Deorling's farm or manor. 1

Early Origins of the Darlingtown family

The surname Darlingtown was first found in Durham at Darlington, a market-town and parish, and the head of a union, in the S. E. division of Darlington ward.

"This place, the name of which is of Saxon derivation, is of considerable antiquity, and towards the close of the tenth century was, with its dependencies, granted by Seir, son of Ulphus, in the presence of King Ethelred and Archbishop Wulston, to St. Cuthbert, patron of the see of Durham, of which Aldune was then bishop. " 2

John of Darlington (d. 1284), an Englishman was Archbishop of Dublin and theologian, "whose name suggests that either he or his family came from Darlington. He became a Dominican friar, and it is probable that he studied at Paris at the Dominican priory of St. James. " 3

Early History of the Darlingtown family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Darlingtown research. Another 88 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1281 and 1296 are included under the topic Early Darlingtown History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Darlingtown Spelling Variations

It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, early Anglo-Saxon surnames like Darlingtown are characterized by many spelling variations. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages, even literate people changed the spelling of their names. Scribes and monks in the Middle Ages spelled names they sounded, so it is common to find several variations that refer to a single person. The variations of the name Darlingtown include: Darlington, Derlington, Darlingtone, Derlingtone and many more.

Early Notables of the Darlingtown family

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

Migration of the Darlingtown family

Many English families tired of political and religious strife left Britain for the new colonies in North America. Although the trip itself offered no relief - conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and many travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute - these immigrants believed the opportunities that awaited them were worth the risks. Once in the colonies, many of the families did indeed prosper and, in turn, made significant contributions to the culture and economies of the growing colonies. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name Darlingtown or a variant listed above: James Darlington who settled in Maryland in 1739; Joseph Darlington arrived in Philadelphia in 1856; Abraham and John Darlington settled in Pennsylvania in 1711.



The Darlingtown 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: Cruce dum spiro spero
Motto Translation: Whilst I have breath my hope is in the cross.


  1. Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
  2. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  3. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print


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