★ Be on time for a wonderful present this year · Order by Dec 8 (US) · Dec 9 (UK & AU) · All dates ›

Darling Surname Meaning & Origin

What the Darling last name means, where the surname began and how it spread.

Order your pack and our heraldry team researches and paints the Darling coat of arms for you.

Meaning and origin of the Darling last name

Meaning of the Darling last name: beloved one. Darling is an English surname from Old English deorling, "beloved one, favourite", a nickname for a well-liked person. The last name was common in Northumberland and the Scottish Borders. Grace Darling, who rowed out to rescue shipwrecked sailors in 1838, made it famous.

Arms associated with the Darling name

In English heraldry, coats of arms associated with the Darling name are described in a blazon, a short formal text.

Get your full Darling family history

This is only a glimpse of the Darling story. The full Darling history report goes much deeper into where the name began, who carried it and how the family spread, and it comes with a museum-style painted Darling coat of arms. Get the full Darling report.

Darling name FAQ

What does the Darling name mean?

beloved one. Common variants include Dearling, Durling.

Where does the Darling surname come from?

It originates in England, and is also found in the United States, Canada, Australia and Scotland.

Is there a Darling coat of arms?

Arms were granted to individuals rather than to everyone with a surname. Herald Lab paints a personalized Darling coat of arms in museum style, based on historic heraldry.

Sources: Reaney & Wilson, Dictionary of English Surnames; Dictionary of American Family Names (Oxford).