Darlington started as a Saxon settlement on the Skerne River.
In the early 11th Century it was called “ Dearthingtun”.
The meaning of the word originates from :
Deaornoth: meaning man
Ing: meaning belonging to
Tun: meaning Hamlet or Settlement.
So a Hamlet or Settlement belonging to Deaornoth.
A document survives which is a licence granted by King Ethelred giving Darlington to the religious community of Durham which guarded the relics of St Cuthbert.

1180 St Cuthberts church founded by the Bishop of Durham Hugh Pudsey.
Initially the church would have had only one bell, however, two centuries later a tower was added and 4 bells introduced.
During the Middle Ages Darlington was a busy town with wool, weaving and cloth dyeing important.
1543 The Plague visits the town.
1553 four bells rang in the Stepell.
1585 A fire raged through the town over 270 houses destroyed.
1597 The Plague again visits the town.

1603 King James of Scotland visits.
1633 The Great Bell was recast at the cost of £11.
1678 Quakers bought property in the Darlington area.
1772 The first newspaper founded.
1774 The first bank opened.
1825 The Stockton to Darlington railway opened.
1830 Darlington has Gas lighting.
1846 Darlington has piped water.
1864 Hospital opened.
1866 The first ring of eight bells heard at St Cuthberts church.
1876 A Saxon cemetery discovered in the town
1877 South Park was begun.
1880 Horse Drawn Trams began.
1885 First Public Library.
1887 Central Station built.

1900 First electricity in Darlington.
1911 First Cinema in Darlington.
1915 Town boundaries extended to include Faverdale and Branksome.
1926 Buses first ran in town.
1932 Town boundaries again extended to include Whinfield, Haughton, Lingfield and Firth Moor.
1967 Further extensions to include Blackwell.
1969 Queen Street Centre built.
1970 Town Hall built.
1975 Railway Museum opened.
1982 The Arts Centre opened.
1992 Cornmill Shopping Centre opened.
1997 The Brick Train sculpture erected.
1999 Eastbourne Sports Complex opened.
2004 Forum Music Centre opened.
Current population 101,000 apporx.

With the best of intention all of the above information is true, correct and given in good faith, however, we cannot be held responsible for any errors or omissions contained within the above.

Equally we recommend that should you need or want to find out more you should conduct more detailed independant research.