Darby is an English locational surname and has since become a

given name A given name (also known as a forename or first name) is the part of a personal name quoted in that identifies a person, potentially with a middle name as well, and differentiates that person from the other members of a group (typically a fa ...

. Its prefix derives from the Old Norse ' ("deer"), and the suffix ' ("farm"/"settlement"). The oldest recorded surname dates to the period of 1160–1182 in Lincolnshire. Darby was a common pre-1800 alternative spelling of Derby, a city in England. Notable people with the name or its variants include:

Surname

Darby

* Abiah Darby (1716–1794), English minister * Abraham Darby I (1678–1717), British ironmaster and pioneer of coke-fired smelting * Abraham Darby II (1711–1763), British ironmaster, son of Abraham I *

Abraham Darby III Abraham Darby III (24 April 1750 – 1789) was an English ironmaster and Quaker. He was the third man of that name in several generations of an English Quaker family that played a pivotal role in the Industrial Revolution. Life Abraham Darby wa ...

(1750–1791), British ironmaster, builder of the world's first iron bridge *

Adrian Darby Adrian Marten George Darby, (born 25 September 1937) is a British conservationist and academic. Academic and conservation career Darby served as a fellow and tutor in economics at Keble College, University of Oxford (1963–1985), and visi ...

(born 1937), British environmentalist * Al Darby (born 1954), American football player * Alden Darby (born 1992), Canadian football defensive back *

Angie Darby Angie Darby (born 2 May 1987) is an Australian modern pentathlete. As of August 2011, Darby was ranked no. 141 in the world by the Union Internationale de Pentathlon Moderne (UIPM). Darby qualified as a lone competitor for the women's modern ...

(born 1987), Australian modern pentathlete * Anthony Darby (born 1972), Australian footballer *

Arthur Darby Arthur John Lovett Darby (9 January 1876 in Chester – 15 January 1960 in Dartmouth, Devon) was a British rugby union player who competed in the 1900 Summer Olympics. Before representing Britain in the Olympics, Darby was selected to repr ...

(1876–1960), British rugby union player *

Brandon Darby Brandon Michael Darby (born November 2, 1976) is an Americans, American conservative blogger and activist. He first became known in the fall of 2005 for actions in New Orleans in efforts to help residents, where he was a co-founder of the Common G ...

(born 1976), American conservative blogger and activist *

Brent Darby Brent Darby (June 6, 1981 – December 6, 2011) was an American professional basketball player. He played at the point guard position. College career Darby played college basketball with the Ohio State Buckeyes, between 1999 and 2003, and was a p ...

(1981–2011), American basketball player *

Brett Darby Brett Darby (born 10 November 1983) is a former professional footballer who played in the Football League as a midfielder for Southend United Southend United Football Club is a professional association football club based in Southend-on-S ...

(born 1983), English footballer *

Byron Darby Byron Keith Darby (born June 4, 1960) is a former American football defensive end in the National Football League. He was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the fifth round of the 1983 NFL Draft. He played college football at USC Trojans foo ...

(born 1960), American football defensive end *

Chris Darby Chris Darby is an Auckland Councillor for the North Shore Ward and the chair of the Planning Committee. He is focused on public transport, urban regeneration and environmental issues. He is a progressive independent who is not affiliated to any p ...

(born 1950s), New Zealand politician in Auckland *

Christopher Darby Griffith Christopher Darby Griffith (1804-1885) was a British politician. He was a Member of the Parliament of the United Kingdom for Devizes Devizes is a market town and civil parish in Wiltshire, England. It developed around Devizes Castle, an 1 ...

(1804–1885), British Member of parliament for Devizes *

Chuck Darby Chartric "Chuck" Terrell Darby (; born October 22, 1975) is a former American football defensive tackle. He was signed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent in 2001. He played college football for Willie Jeffries at South Carolin ...

(born 1975), American football player *

Craig Darby Craig Allen Darby (born September 26, 1972) is an American former professional ice hockey Centre (ice hockey), center who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) with the Montreal Canadiens, New York Islanders, Philadelphia Flyers and New Jers ...

(born 1972), American ice hockey center * Dick Darby (1919–1993), British Bishop of Sherwood * Douglas Darby (1910–1985), Australian politician *

Drew Darby William Drew Darby, known as Drew Darby (born February 22, 1947), is a Republican member of the Texas House of Representatives from his native San Angelo, Texas. He represents District 72, which comprises the West Texas counties of Coke, Concho ...

(born 1947), politician in Texas * Duane Darby (born 1973), English footballer * Edward Darby (1888–?), British World War I flying ace * Frank Darby (born 1997), American football player * George Darby (1720–1790), Anglo-Irish vice-admiral in the British Royal Navy *

George Darby (baseball) George William Darby (February 5, 1869 – February 25, 1937) was a professional baseball player. He was a pitcher for the Cincinnati Reds of the National League The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National ...

(1869–1937), American baseball player * George Darby (politician) (1798–1877), British politician * Harry Darby (1895–1987), United States Senator * J. N. Darby, a pen-name of American juvenile fiction writer

Christine N. Govan Christine Noble Govan (pen names Mary Allerton and J. N. Darby; December 12, 1897 – February 28, 1985) was an American writer. She was born in New York City and lived most of her life in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Early life Mary Christine Nob ...

(1897–1985) * J. N. Darby, a pen-name of American author and naturalist

Mary Q. Steele Mary Quintard Govan Steele (May 8, 1922 – July 6, 1992) was an American author and naturalist. She wrote over twenty books, mainly for children. One of them, ''Journey Outside'', was a Newbery Honor Book. Steele sometimes wrote under the na ...

(1922–1992) *

John Darby (NASCAR official) John Darby is an American motor racing official, currently serving as Managing Director of Competition Director of NASCAR. In this capacity, oversees the competition directors of the NASCAR Cup Series (a position Darby previously held), the Xfi ...

, American NASCAR Cup Series race director *

John Fletcher Darby John Fletcher Darby (December 10, 1803May 11, 1882) was a U.S. Representative from Missouri and the fourth mayor of St. Louis. Darby was born in Person County, North Carolina. He moved with his father to Missouri in 1818, where he worked on a ...

(1803–1882), United States Congressman *

John M. Darby John M. Darby (September 3 or September 27, 1804 – September 18, 1877) was an American botanist, chemist, and academic. He created the first systematic catalogue of flora in the southeastern United States. Biography Darby was born in North A ...

(1804–1877), American botanist and academic * John Nelson Darby, British theologian, leader of the Plymouth Brethren, founder of the Darbyites and translator of the Darby Bible *

Joseph Darby Sergeant Joseph M. Darby (born c. 1979) is a former U.S. Army Reservist known as the whistleblower in the Abu Ghraib torture and prisoner abuse scandal. Darby is a graduate of North Star High School, near his hometown at the time, Jenners, Pe ...

, American military policeman and whistleblower *

Julian Darby Julian Timothy Darby (born 3 October 1967) is an English football coach and former professional footballer who is the under-16's coach of Bolton Wanderers. As a player he was a defender and midfielder from 1986 until 2001, notably in the P ...

(born 1967), English footballer * Kim Darby (born 1947), American actress * Mary Darby, maiden name of British poet Mary Robinson * Matthew Darby (born 1967), British conservationist and publisher * Newman Darby (1928–2016), American inventor * Rhys Darby (born 1974), New Zealand comedian and actor * Richard Darby, American attorney and judge; appointed Associate Justice of the Oklahoma Supreme Court in April 2018 * Séamus Darby (born 1950), Irish Gaelic footballer * Sir Henry D'Esterre Darby (1750–1823), Anglo-Irish admiral in the British Royal Navy *

Stephen Darby Stephen Mark Darby (born 6 October 1988) is an English former professional footballer who played as a right-back. Darby represented England at under-19 level. He began his career playing on the winning team of the Liverpool FA Youth Cup in 20 ...

(born 1989), English footballer *

Steve Darby Stephen David Darby (born 15 January 1955) is an English football coach and former player. He is well known throughout Asia as a pundit for ESPN Star Sports. Playing career Darby started out as a goalkeeper for Liverpool Schools and FA Youth ...

(born 1955), English football coach and pundit * Thomas Darby, inventor of the

Darby Steam-Digger The Darby Steam-Digger, a light traction engine, was invented circa 1879 by farmer Thomas Darby and built at Lodge Farm Pleshey, near Chelmsford in Essex, England. Robert Hasler, seen driving the Digger, helped to build this first prototype ...

* Tom Darby, half of the country music duo

Darby and Tarlton Darby and Tarlton were an American early country music duo, who achieved some level of success in the late 1920s. The duo consisted of Tom Darby (born August 25, 1891 Columbus, Georgia – August 20, 1971) and Jimmie Tarlton, (born John James Rimb ...

* William Darby (priest) (died 1791), Anglican Archdeacon in Ireland in the late nineteenth century * William J. Darby (1913–2001), American physician and nutrition scientist * William Orlando Darby (1911–1945), U.S. Army officer, commander of Darby's Rangers

D'Arby

* Josie d'Arby (born 1972), British actress * Terence Trent D'Arby (born 1962), American singer-songwriter

Given name

* Darby Allin (born 1997), American wrestler * Darby Bailey, American actress, musician, songwriter, writer/producer, and businesswoman * Darby Bannard (1934–2016), American abstract painter * Darby Bergin (1826–1896), Ontario physician and political figure *

Darby Berkhout Darby Berkhout (born 20 May 1966) is a Canadian rower. He competed in the men's coxless four event at the 1988 Summer Olympics The 1988 Summer Olympics (), officially known as the Games of the XXIV Olympiad () and commonly known as Seou ...

(born 1966), Canadian rower *

Darby Brown Darby Brown (24 April 1929 – 31 October 1988) born Leslie Brown in Sydney was an Australian professional feather/light/ welter/middleweight boxer of the 1940s and 1950s who won the Australian welterweight title, and British Empire welterweig ...

(1929–1988), Australian boxer of the 1940s and '50s * Darby Camp (born 2007), American actress * Darby Conley (born 1970), American cartoonist creator of ''Get Fuzzy'' *

Darby Cottle Darby Cottle Veazey (born September 26, 1961, in Tifton, Georgia) is a two-time All-American softball player and one of only two female athletes to have their number retired at Florida State University. In her career, Cottle earned some of the hi ...

(born 1961), American softball player * Darby Crash (1958–1980), American musician, from the band The Germs * Darby Dougherty, American actress in the film '' Gummo'' *

Darby Dunn Darby Dunn (née Mullany) is an American journalist A journalist is an individual that collects/gathers information in form of text, audio, or pictures, processes them into a news-worthy form, and disseminates it to the public. The act or proc ...

, American journalist and reporter * Darby Field (1610–1649), British, first European to climb Mount Washington in New Hampshire * Darby Gould (born 1965), American vocalist * Darby Hendrickson (born 1972), American hockey player and coach * Darby Hinton (born 1957), American actor and filmmaker * Darby Jones (1910–1986), American actor *

Darby Lloyd Rains Darby Lloyd Rains (born in 1948) is a former adult film performer who was prolific during the 1970s. She is a member of the XRCO Hall of Fame. She appeared uncredited as a stripper in the 1971 film '' The French Connection''. Partial filmograph ...

(born 1948), American adult film performer * Darby Loudon (1897–1963), New Zealand-born rugby union player *

Darby Lux II Lt. Col. Darby Lux II (1737–1795) was an active patriot of the American Revolution. Darby was the son of Capt. Darby Lux I (1695–1750) and Ann Saunders (1700–1785). Early career Darby was born in Anne Arundel County in 1737. He resided in ...

(1737–1795), American businessman, militiaman in the American Revolution * Darby McCarthy (born 1944), Australian jockey *

Darby McDevitt Darby Christopher McDevitt is an Irish-American game developer and writer, best known for his work on the ''Assassin's Creed'' series. With a diverse professional profile spanning more than a decade, he has worked as a writer, film maker, musici ...

(born 1975), American game developer and writer * Darby Mills, Canadian rock vocalist *

Darby Nelson Darby Miles Nelson (June 29, 1941 – January 13, 2022) was an American environmentalist, ecologist, politician, author, and educator. Personal life Nelson was born in the Iron Range town of Soudan, Minnesota, on June 29, 1941, to F. Miles ...

(1940 –2022), American writer and politician * Darby O'Brien (1863–1893), American baseball player *

Darby Penney Darby Penney (December 10, 1952 – October 11, 2021) was an American mental health worker and human rights activist working for improvements in psychiatric care. Early life Penney was born in Oceanside, New York, the daughter of Arthur Penney ...

(1952–2021), American writer, activist * Darby Riordan (1888–1936), Australian politician *

Darby Slick Dabney Roger "Darby" Slick (born 1944) is an American guitarist and songwriter, best known as a former member of The Great Society, and as the writer of the Jefferson Airplane song " Somebody to Love." In 1965, he co-founded The Great Society wi ...

(born 1944), American guitarist and songwriter * Darby Stanchfield (born 1971), American film and television actress * Darby W. Betts (1912–1998), American Episcopal priest *

Darby Walker Darby Walker (born August 5, 1974) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. Walker played three seasons (1991-1994) of major junior hockey in the Western Hockey League (WHL). Walker went on to play professional hockey, starting wit ...

(born 1974), Canadian ice hockey player

Fictional characters

Ernest Darby The following is a list of characters from '' Sons of Anarchy'', and its spin-off '' Mayans M.C.'' Both are American crime drama television series created by Kurt Sutter. ''Sons of Anarchy'' aired from 2008 to 2014, ''Mayans M.C.'' since 2018. Cas ...

, on the television series ''

Sons of Anarchy ''Sons of Anarchy'' is an American action crime drama television series created by Kurt Sutter for FX. Originally aired from September 3, 2008 to December 9, 2014, ''Sons of Anarchy'' follows the lives of a close-knit outlaw motorcycle club ope ...

'' * Daniel J. D'Arby, from the '' JoJo's Bizarre Adventure'' manga series *

Darby O'Gill Darby O'Gill is a fictional Irishman who appears in the writings of Irish author Herminie Templeton Kavanagh, including her books ''Darby O'Gill and the Good People'' (1903) and ''Ashes of Old Wishes and Other Darby O'Gill Tales'' (1926). Film In 1 ...

, in the writings of Herminie Templeton Kavanagh * Darby Carter, on the television series '' Love Life'' as portrayed by Anna Kendrick * Darby Shaw, in the film '' The Pelican Brief'' played by Julia Roberts * Darby, a character who replaced Christopher Robin in the animated television show, '' My Friends Tigger and Pooh''

References