Sutton History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Sutton is a name that first reached England following the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Sutton family lived in Somerset, at Sutton Montague.

Early Origins of the Sutton family

The surname Sutton was first found in Nottinghamshire where they were descended from Dreu de Montaigu who came into England at the Norman Conquest in 1066 A.D. in the train of the Count of Mortain. His first seat was at Sutton Montague in Somerset, and the family later acquired Sutton upon Trent near Tuxford in Nottingham, where they became Lords of the manor and the Barons Dudley. 

“Sutton-upon-Trent gave name to this ancient family, the first upon record being Roland, son of Hervey, who lived in the reign of Henry III., and married Alice, daughter and coheiress of Richard de Lexington.” [1]

There are countless listings of the place name throughout Britain in the Domesday Book with various spellings due to the literal meaning of the name “south farmstead or village.” [2] The parish Averham in Nottinghamshire was an ancient family seat. 

“At the time of the siege of Newark, many skirmishes occurred here; and in 1644, the ancient manor-house, then belonging to Robert Sutton, Lord Lexington and Baron of Averham, and which had been the residence of the family from 1250, was destroyed.” [3]

However, the church in Averham and Kelham still hold many relics and several ancient memorials to the Suttons. Some of the church windows date back to 1220. On the south wall is a mural monument, adorned with cherubs and armorial bearings, to the memory of the Right Hon. Robert Lord Lexington, having descended from “ye ancient family of ye Suttons.” [3]

Kelham Hall has been the present family seat since it was built in the 1860s.

Early History of the Sutton family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Sutton research.

Sutton Spelling Variations

The English language only became standardized in the last few centuries. For that reason, spelling variations are common among many Anglo-Norman names. The shape of the English language was frequently changed with the introduction of elements of Norman French, Latin, and other European languages; even the spelling of literate people’s names were subsequently modified. Sutton has been recorded under many different variations, including Sutton, Suton, Suttone and others.

Early Notables of the Sutton family (pre 1700)

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Robert Sutton (died 1414), of Lincoln, Lincolnshire, an English politician, one of the wealthiest and most influential merchants in Lincoln, a Member (MP) of the Parliament of England for Lincoln in 1381, 1382, 1383, 1384, 1385, 1386, 1388, 1391, 1394, 1397 and 1399, brother, John Sutton, was also an MP for Lincoln, as was his son, Hamon Sutton; Hervey of Sutton, first Lord of Sutton upon Trent; John Sutton (1400-1487), 1st Baron Dudley, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland from 1428-30 and Member of Parliament from 1440 to 1487; as well as his son.

Sutton World Ranking

In the United States, the name Sutton is the 283^rd most popular surname with an estimated 94,506 people with that name. [4] However, in Canada, the name Sutton is ranked the 703^rdmost popular surname with an estimated 7,527 people with that name. [5] And in Newfoundland, Canada, the name Sutton is the 248^th popular surname with an estimated 178 people with that name. [6] Australia ranks Sutton as 194^th with 16,625 people. [7] New Zealand ranks Sutton as 148^th with 3,333 people. [8] The United Kingdom ranks Sutton as 209^th with 27,166 people. [9]

 Migration of the Sutton family to Ireland

Some of the Sutton family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.

 Sutton migration to the United States +

To escape the uncertainty of the political and religious uncertainty found in England, many English families boarded ships at great expense to sail for the colonies held by Britain. The passages were expensive, though, and the boats were unsafe, overcrowded, and ridden with disease. Those who were hardy and lucky enough to make the passage intact were rewarded with land, opportunity, and social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families went on to be important contributors to the young nations of Canada and the United States where they settled. Suttons were some of the first of the immigrants to arrive in North America: 

Sutton Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

• Nicholas Sutton, who arrived in Virginia in 1622 aboard the ship “James, killed in 1624 [10]
• William Sutton, who landed in Virginia in 1623 [10]
• Symon Sutton, who landed in New England in 1634 aboard the ship “Hercules” [10]
• George Sutton, from Kent, who arrived in New England in 1634 aboard the ship “Hercules”, bound for Scituate [10]
• Jo Sutton, aged 24, who landed in Virginia in 1635 aboard the ship “Thomas & John” [10]

Sutton Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

• John Sutton, who arrived in Virginia in 1703 [10]
• Timo Sutton, who arrived in Virginia in 1705 [10]
• Alexander Sutton, who arrived in Virginia in 1713 [10]
• Alexander Sutton, who landed in Virginia in 1717 [10]