Show ContentsTarlington History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The ancient roots of the Tarlington family name are in the Anglo-Saxon culture. The name Tarlington comes from when the family lived in the lands of Darlington which originally derived from Deorling's farm or manor. 1

Early Origins of the Tarlington family

The surname Tarlington 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 Tarlington family

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

Tarlington 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 Tarlington has appeared include Darlington, Derlington, Darlingtone, Derlingtone and many more.

Early Notables of the Tarlington family

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

Migration of the Tarlington family

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 Tarlington arrived in North America very early: 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 Tarlington 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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