Darnay

Darnay is a surname, most notably associated with Charles Darnay, a principal character in Charles Dickens' novel A Tale of Two Cities. In the novel, Charles Darnay is a French aristocrat who renounces his family's name and privileges due to the injustices perpetrated by his family against the peasantry. He later migrates to England and establishes a life under the assumed name of Darnay.

The origin and etymology of the name "Darnay" are not definitively established within the context of the novel or in historical records. It appears to be an invented name, chosen by Dickens for its sound and the anonymity it provides to the character.

Outside of its literary association, "Darnay" is a relatively uncommon surname. Its appearance is predominantly linked to its usage in relation to the Dickens novel.