Dark Name Meaning, Facts & Family History

Facts About the Surname Dark

Here are some facts about the surname Dark:
- Dark is an English surname originating from the Middle Ages. It was likely an occupational name referring to someone with dark hair or a dark complexion.
- Variants of the name include Darke, Darques and D'Arc. The Gaelic form is Dearg.
- Early bearers of the surname include John le Dark (1275) and William Dark (1327), both recorded in England.
- As of the 1881 census, the frequency of the surname Dark was highest in the counties of Gloucestershire, Somerset and Wiltshire in southwest England.
- Notable people with the surname Dark include:
- Eleanor Dark (1901-1985), Australian novelist best known for her book The Timeless Land about early Australian settlement.
- Alison Dark (born 1956), English composer known for choral, orchestral and chamber music.
- Paul Dark (born 1970), Australian actor known for roles in shows like The Circuit and Rush.
- Van Darkholme (born 1968), American gay pornographic actor and model.
- Dark is the 6,647th most common surname in the United States. Approximately 4,716 people bear the surname Dark as per the 2010 US census.
- The highest density of people named Dark in the US is found in Tennessee.
- Some other surnames with the same origins as Dark include Black, Brown and Grey.

All People Whose Last Name is "Dark"