The name Arlyn is believed to have originated from the Old English language, with its roots tracing back to the Anglo-Saxon era of the 5th to 11th centuries. The name is thought to be a combination of the Old English words "ær" meaning "honor" or "noble" and "lind" meaning "linden tree" or "shield." This suggests that the name may have been given to individuals who were perceived as honorable or noble, or who possessed qualities associated with strength and protection, symbolized by the linden tree or shield.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Arlyn can be found in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of land and property ownership in England commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. The name appears as a variant spelling, "Ærlind," which further reinforces its Anglo-Saxon origins.

Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals who bore the name Arlyn. One such figure was Arlyn Sieker (1912-2004), an American baseball player who played for the St. Louis Cardinals and the Chicago White Sox in the 1930s and 1940s. Another was Arlyn Eshbach (1949-2021), an American science fiction author and editor, best known for her work in the fantasy genre.

In the literary world, Arlyn Snowden (1932-2016) was an American poet and educator who taught at various universities and published several collections of poetry. Arlyn Gries (1936-2018) was an American painter and sculptor, known for her abstract expressionist works and her contributions to the art scene in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Arlyn Naw (born 1950) is a Burmese politician and women's rights activist who has been a member of the Pyithu Hluttaw, the lower house of the Parliament of Myanmar, since 2012. She has been a vocal advocate for gender equality and democratic reforms in her country.

It is worth noting that while the name Arlyn has historical roots in the Anglo-Saxon language and culture, it has been adopted and used in various parts of the world over time. However, the specific details and references provided in this report focus primarily on the name's origins and earliest known instances within the context of English history and literature.