Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• Dorchinges 1086 DB

• Dorkinges 1180 P 1225,1255 Ass 1241 FF c.1270 Winton

• Dorkingg 1219 FF

• Derkyng 1431 Pat

• Darkyng 1538 LP 1546 FF 1552 SACiv 1571 FF

• Darking al. Darkin 1675 Ogilby

• Darken 1701 AbingerParReg

Etymology

Ekwall (PN in -ing 53) would take the first element to be an old name of the Mole, hence 'the people living by the Dorce '; cf. innan Dorcan (BCS 479). Alternatively, and especially since no proof exists of such an early name for the river (v. supra 4), he suggests that the first element may be an OE  personal name Deorc , 'dark,' hence 'the people of Deorc ,' v. ingas . Cf. Ditsworthy (PN D 239) and Darshill in Shepton Mallet (So), Durkeshale c. 1250 SoRS v.