Darren
A surname potentially derived from the Old English word "deor" meaning "deer".
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 137 Americans carry the last name Darren. That puts it at #131,379 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.04 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 2,501,856 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Darren surname. You will find the Census Bureau frequency data, an ancestry and ethnicity breakdown based on self-reported demographics, the name's meaning and origin where available, and answers to the most common questions people ask about this surname.
Bearers in the US
137
1 in 2,501,856
Census rank
#131,379
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.0
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
129
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 129 bearers of the surname Darren in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.04 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 131379th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Darren, the largest self-reported group is White at 53.5%. The next largest groups are Black (35.7%) and Hispanic (4.7%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Darren
The surname DARREN is of English origin, tracing its roots back to the Middle Ages. It is derived from the Old English word "deor," meaning "deer," and the suffix "-ing," denoting a place or group of people. This suggests that the earliest bearers of the name may have lived near a deer park or were associated with hunting or tending to deer.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Deringhe," referring to a settlement in Buckinghamshire. This place name likely evolved into various spellings, such as Deringes, Deringe, and eventually, DARREN.
During the 13th century, the name DARREN gained prominence in the county of Somerset, where it is believed to have originated. Records from this period mention individuals like William de Derynges (born circa 1250) and John Derynges (born circa 1275), who held lands in the region.
In the 14th century, the DARREN surname spread to other parts of England, including Devon and Gloucestershire. Notable figures from this era include Sir Richard Darren (1320-1392), a knight who fought in the Hundred Years' War, and Alice Darren (born circa 1350), a landholder in Somerset.
By the 16th century, the spelling of the name had largely stabilized to its modern form, DARREN. During this period, the name was particularly prevalent in the counties of Somerset, Devon, and Cornwall. One prominent individual was William DARREN (1515-1589), a merchant and landowner in Somerset who served as a magistrate.
In the 17th century, the DARREN surname continued to spread across England, with pockets of concentration in the southern and western regions. Notable bearers of the name from this era include Captain John DARREN (1620-1678), a naval officer who served in the Anglo-Dutch Wars, and Elizabeth DARREN (born circa 1650), a wealthy landowner in Devon.
Throughout its history, the surname DARREN has been associated with various professions, including landowners, merchants, soldiers, and civil servants. While not as widespread as some other English surnames, it has maintained a consistent presence in various regions of England over the centuries.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Darren
Among Census respondents with the surname Darren, the largest self-reported group is White at 53.5%. The next largest groups are Black (35.7%) and Hispanic (4.7%).
The bar chart below shows how Darren bearers described their own race and ethnicity on the 2010 Census form. The Census Bureau groups responses into six broad categories: White, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Two or More Races. When a category has too few respondents for a given surname, the Bureau suppresses the figure to protect individual privacy, which is why some names show fewer than six slices.
Keep in mind that these are self-reported numbers. A person's surname does not determine their race or ethnicity, and the distribution you see here reflects the specific population who happened to carry the Darren surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White53.5%
- Black or African American35.7%
- Hispanic or Latino4.7%
- Two or more races3.9%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Darren surname changed between Census years? The chart shows bearer count side by side, and the table compares rank, count, and frequency.
Census year comparison
| Metric | 2010 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #131,379 | #131,379 | 0.0% |
| Count | 129 | 129 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.04 | 0.04 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Darren bearers went from 129 to 129 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #131,379 to #131,379.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Darren
FAQ
Darren surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Darren?
The surname Darren holds position #131,379 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 137 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.04 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Darren surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Darren, the largest self-reported group is White at 53.5%. The next largest groups are Black (35.7%) and Hispanic (4.7%). These figures come from the 2010 Census Bureau surname tables, based on how respondents described their own race and ethnicity.
Where does this surname data come from?
All surname statistics on Name Census are drawn from the US Census Bureau's decennial surname frequency tables. These tables list every surname that appeared 100 or more times in the 2010 Census, along with a frequency rate and self-reported demographic breakdown. You can read the full explanation on our methodology page.