Surname Darke - Meaning and Origin

Darke: What does the surname Darke mean?

The surname Darke is of English origin and is derived from the Old English pre 7th Century word "deorc", meaning "dark", or "the dark one". It started as a nickname which later turned into a surname. It was typically given to individuals who had dark hair or a dark complexion, or possibly to someone who often wore dark clothing. The surname was first found in Sussex where the family held a family seat from very early times.

It's important to note that spelling variations of the surname Darke include Darke, Dark, Darke, Darce, D'Arke, D'Arce and more. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Robert le Dark which was dated 1275, in the "Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire". Other references from early historical records include William Darke, listed as a resident in the province of Newfoundland in 1681.

The surname Darke was spread across the world due to Britain's colonial history, with bearers found in North America, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and India. However, it is still most commonly found in England.

Darke: Where does the name Darke come from?

The last name Darke is most common today in Great Britain and Australia. In Great Britain, the name is found predominantly in Northern England and Scotland, particularly in Lancashire, Yorkshire, County Durham, and Cumberland. In Australia, it is mainly the states of Victoria, New South Wales, and South Australia where the name is most common, though there is some presence in Western Australia as well.

The surname Darke is believed to be of Anglo-Saxon or Norse origin, and means either “dark-haired” or “dark-skinned”. In earlier times, it may have been used as a nickname to describe someone of darker complexion. In the 19th century, it was most prominently borne by families in the north of England, and is still found in that region today.

The name has also been used as a first name in both Britain and Australia. It is a unisex name, and has been used for both males and females since the early 20th century. Today, it remains relatively uncommon, with only a few hundred individuals having been found across both countries in the last decade.

Variations of the surname Darke

The surname Darke has quite a few variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. It is most commonly spelled Dark, but other spellings of this surname are D'Arc, Darck, Darckx, Darker, Darkes, Darke, Darkes, Darkish, and Darkos. It also has a few variants, such as D’Arques, D’Arque, D’Arc, d’Arques, Darques, and Darc.

The Dark surname comes from a Germanic personal name derived from the Old English word ‘deorc’, meaning ‘dark’ or ‘pitch black’. The name was originally given to someone who was perceived to be dark or unpleasant. In some cases, it was used as a nickname for someone with hair or skin color that was darker than average.

Variations in spelling can occur from country to country. In England, Dark became known as Darke and D'Arc, while Darker became Dörk and Dörkle, and Darque in France. In some countries, the name has been shortened to D'Ark or Darck.

Although some cases of the surname Darke have been documented as far back as the 12th century in Europe, the name moved to other parts of the world such as Canada, Australia, and New Zealand during the 18th and 19th centuries. Nowdays, you can find people with this surname in many parts of the world.

Famous people with the name Darke

• Richard Darke: He is a British-born portrait photographer best known for his work with iconic international figures, including the Queen of England, Bill Clinton, and Tom Hanks.
• Henry Darke: He was an English composer of church music and hymns.
• Frederick Darke: He was an English organist and composer of liturgical music.
• Rebecca Darke: She is an award-winning British poet and lyricist from Essex, England.
• Max Darke: He is an English film and television producer, director, and screenwriter. He produced the critically acclaimed ITV drama series Primeval.
• Rachel Darke: She is an English violinist and composer.
• Charlotte Darke: She is an English costume designer and stylist best known for her work on rock videos for bands and solo artists such as Maroon 5, Muse, and Kanye West.
• Tom Darke: He is an English filmmaker and theatre director.
• Robert Darke: He was an English theatre historian, playwright, and actor.
• Danny Darke: He is an English radio host and television presenter, best known for his radio show on Absolute Radio and presenting on Channel 5.

Other surnames

DarkDarkes