The term "d'Urberville" refers to a fictional family in Thomas Hardy's novel, "Tess of the d'Urbervilles." The story follows the life of Tess Durbeyfield, a young woman from a poor family who discovers her noble ancestry linked to the d'Urbervilles. This revelation sets off a series of events that shape her tragic life. The d'Urberville family symbolizes the decline of the aristocracy and the struggles of the working class in Victorian England. Through the character of Alec d'Urberville, Hardy explores themes of power, exploitation, and the impact of social class on individual lives.