They have, within the geographical area the archdeaconry of Durham, pastoral oversight of clergy and care of church buildings (among other responsibilities).
The first archdeacons in the diocese occur after the Norman Conquest – around the same time the post of archdeacon first started to occur elsewhere in England.
There is no evidence of more than one archdeacon in the diocese until the mid-12th century, when two lines of office holders start to appear in sources.
The titles "Archdeacon of Durham" and "Archdeacon of Northumberland" are not recorded until later in the century, although it is possible to discern which of the two lines became which post.
Here are listed the sole archdeacons of Durham diocese, then those of the senior of two unnamed lines, then all those called Archdeacon of Durham.