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| Medieval bridge on
western parish boundary |
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Darley Dale is first recorded in the
Domesday Book of 1086 as Dereleie, part of the Wirksworth Hundred. However,
evidence suggests that an Anglian settlement may have been established at
Darley Dale as early as 800AD. The name 'Darley' is derived from the Anglo
Saxon deor-leah meaning 'clearing frequented by animals', probably deer. The
word 'dale' is a later nineteenth century addition to the placename.
The original settlement developed in the vicinity of the parish church
and in the Domesday survey, a population of seven villagers and a priest was
recorded in the Manor of Darley, which included the settlements of Farley,
Cotes and Burley.
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