In Thomas Hardy's 'Tess of the d'Urbervilles', Tess's family surname is Durbeyfield. Tess is introduced as Tess Durbeyfield, the eldest daughter of John and Joan Durbeyfield, a poor family living in rural Wessex.
The surname becomes central to the plot when a local parson tells John that “Durbeyfield” is supposedly a corruption of “d'Urberville.” He claims the family descends from an ancient Norman aristocratic line. John responds with pride, but the discovery brings little practical benefit and encourages the family to seek help from the wealthy Stoke-d'Urbervilles.
Hardy deliberately contrasts the two names. The Durbeyfields are poor agricultural laborers, while the Stoke family has adopted the more aristocratic-sounding name. Tess's connection to the d'Urbervilles therefore involves social aspiration, deception, and the damaging power of inherited status.
“d'Urberville” is not Tess's original family surname, and “Clare” is not her maiden name: Angel Clare is the man she later marries. “Stoke” belongs to the wealthy family's background.