Retter History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Early Origins of the Retter family

The surname Retter was first found in Cheshire where it "is the name of an ancient and influential family of Kingsley, where they owned considerable estates from the 13th to the 17th century (O.). The name of Rutter is now best represented amongst the farmers around Tarporley, which is only some seven or eight miles from Kingsley, so that we may repeat the remark made by Ormerod about 70 years ago "that the descendants are still living (as yeomen) and day labourers within the precincts of the feudal power of their ancestors." The name is also established in the counties of Northumberland, Durham, and Lincoln, and in the North and East Ridings of Yorkshire. " 1

As far as the etymology of the name, there is much debate. Most sources claim the name is from the German word for "ritter, a rider, i.e. a trooper." 2 3 2 4 Halliwell goes on the note that "the term was usually applied to a fine, dashing, boasting gallant; one so fashionable as to speak much in foreign languages." 3

However, one source claims the name was in fact, a Norman French name from "Roter" as the Magni Rotuli Scaccarii Normanniae lists Fulco des Rotors, Normandy 1180-1195; and Fulco de Rotor, 1198 and then notes that Richard and Thomas Rotor or Rotour, were both listed in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273. 5

The famed English composer, conductor, editor, arranger, and record producer, John Milford Rutter CBE (b. 1945) was born in London.

Early History of the Retter family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Retter research. Another 79 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1635, 1687, 1697, 1698, 1719, 1720, 1723, 1724, 1727, 1730 and 1775 are included under the topic Early Retter History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Retter Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Rutter, Ruttery, Rutty and others.

Early Notables of the Retter family

Distinguished members of the family include John Rutty (1697-1775) a Dublin Quaker physician and naturalist born in Melksham, Wiltshire; and his cousin, William Rutty M.D. (1687-1730) was an English physician, elected a Fellow of the Royal Society 30 June 1720 and later became second secretary 30 November 1727.John Rutter (fl. 1635), was an English poet who belonged to Ben Jonson's latest circle of friends...
Another 64 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Retter Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Retter migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Retter Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Hans Retter, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1731 6
Johann Ludwig Retter, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1750 6
Casper Retter, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1750 6
Johannes Retter, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1752 6

Retter Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Louise Retter, aged 35, who landed in New York in 1854 6
Maria Retter, aged 9, who arrived in New York in 1854 6
Christn Retter, who arrived in New York in 1854 6
Gottlieb Retter, aged 34, who landed in New York in 1854 6
Carl Retter, aged 4, who arrived in New York in 1854 6

Contemporary Notables of the name Retter (post 1700) +

Harold W. Retter, American politician, Delegate to New Hampshire State Constitutional Convention from Franklin 2nd Ward, 1948 7

The Retter Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Melitae amor
Motto Translation: Love of Malta.

Sources +

Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.
Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
Halliwell, James Orchard. A Dictionary of Archaic and Provincial WordsLondon: John Russel Smith, Old Compton Street, Soho, 1848, Digital, 2 Vols
Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X)
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, December 10) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html