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Irish Surname - Darby

Origin of the Irish Surname Darby

The Irish surname Darby, also spelled as Derby, has its origins in the Gaelic name Ó Diarmada or Ó Díormada, which means "descendant of Diarmaid." Diarmaid, a popular male given name in ancient Ireland, is derived from the Gaelic elements "diar" (meaning "without enemy") and "maid" (meaning "harm"). The main area associated with the Darby surname in Ireland is the province of Leinster, specifically in counties Kildare, Offaly, and Laois.

As Irish emigrants settled in different countries, the surname Darby spread around the world. Today, Darby descendants can be found in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Although exact statistics are not readily available, the Darby surname and its variations are relatively common compared to other Irish surnames.

Famous People with the Surname Darby and Its Variations

Kim Darby is an American actress who gained fame for her role as Mattie Ross in the 1969 film "True Grit." She has appeared in numerous television series and films throughout her career.
Mildred Dillahaunt Darby (1867-1932) was an Anglo-Irish author known for her gothic fiction and supernatural stories. Born Mildred Henrietta Gordon Dillahaunt in County Limerick, Ireland, she married Jonathan Darby of Leap Castle in 1889. The couple lived in Leap Castle, which is believed to be one of the most haunted castles in Ireland.
Ken Darby (1909-1992) was an American composer, vocal arranger, and conductor. He worked on numerous films and won three Academy Awards for his work in "The King and I," "Porgy and Bess," and "Camelot."

Variations of the Irish Surname Darby

Derby: This variation of Darby is a phonetic spelling that emerged as people spelled the name based on how it sounded.
Ó Diarmada: This is the original Gaelic spelling of the surname, from which the anglicised versions of Darby and Derby have evolved.
Ó Díormada: This variation of the original Gaelic spelling reflects a different pronunciation of the name, but it still translates to "descendant of Diarmaid."

Coat of Arms and Motto of the Irish Surname Darby

The coat of arms associated with the Darby surname features a silver shield with a black horizontal stripe across the center. On this stripe, there are three silver crescents. Above the stripe, a black lion rampant is depicted, while below the stripe, a black boar is displayed. The crest above the shield shows a silver lion rampant holding a crescent in its right paw.

The motto associated with the Darby coat of arms is "Fide et Fortitudine,"

Please Note

There is often limited information available on a specific coat of arms and motto for an Irish surname. Sometimes there are many variations, sometimes none, we have compiled a representative, but by no means exhaustive, selection. Please visit our Coat of Arms and Motto page for more information.