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Show ContentsSutton History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Sutton Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI
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Etymology of Sutton

What does the name Sutton mean?

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. Another 98 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1172, 1310, 1342, 1359, 1380, 1381, 1382, 1383, 1384, 1385, 1386, 1388, 1391, 1394, 1397, 1399, 1400, 1401, 1406, 1414, 1425, 1428, 1440, 1460, 1483, 1487, 1532, 1594, 1625, 1640 and 1668 are included under the topic Early Sutton History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

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

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 1...
  • 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
  • Edward Sutton, 2nd Baron Dudley (c.1460-1532), an English nobleman
  • Sir John de Sutton V (1380-1406), 4th Baron Sutton of Dudley, heir to Dudley Castle, descendant of the first Lord Dudley, Sir John de Sutton II (c.1310-1359) the first to be summoned to the Parliament...

Sutton World Ranking

In the United States, the name Sutton is the 283rd most popular surname with an estimated 94,506 people with that name. 4 However, in Canada, the name Sutton is ranked the 703rd most popular surname with an estimated 7,527 people with that name. 5 And in Newfoundland, Canada, the name Sutton is the 248th popular surname with an estimated 178 people with that name. 6 Australia ranks Sutton as 194th with 16,625 people. 7 New Zealand ranks Sutton as 148th with 3,333 people. 8 The United Kingdom ranks Sutton as 209th 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.
Another 58 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

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
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
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
  • Mary Sutton, who settled in Maryland in 1719
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Sutton Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Thomas Sutton, who landed in America in 1810 10
  • Michael Sutton, who arrived in New York in 1811 10
  • John Sutton, who landed in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1840 10
  • Demold Sutton, aged 59, who arrived in Missouri in 1840 10
  • Mr. William Sutton, aged 35, British weaver who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Britannia" on 20th July 1840
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Sutton migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Sutton Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
Sutton Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • William Sutton, who arrived in Halifax or New York in 1811
  • John Sutton, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1814
  • Catherine Sutton in Harbour Grace, Newfoundland in 1817 11
  • John Sutton in Catalina, Newfoundland in 1822 11
  • John Sutton, who landed in Canada in 1830
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Sutton migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Sutton Settlers in Australia in the 18th Century
Sutton Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mr. William Sutton, (b. 1789), aged 27, English labourer who was convicted in Lancaster, Lancashire, England for life, transported aboard the "Elizabeth" in May 1816, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he died in 1830 13
  • Richard Sutton, English convict from Essex, who was transported aboard the "Almorah" on April 1817, settling in New South Wales, Australia 14
  • Mr. Charles Sutton, English convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Dromedary" on 11th September 1819, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 15
  • Richard Sutton, English convict from Surrey, who was transported aboard the "Albion" on May 17, 1823, settling in Van Diemen's Land, Australia 16
  • Thomas Sutton, English convict from Middlesex, who was transported aboard the "Asia" on October 22nd, 1824, settling in New South Wales, Australia 17
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Sutton migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Sutton Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • J Sutton, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1841 aboard the ship Jane 18
  • John G. Sutton, who arrived in Port Nicholson aboard the ship "Jane" in 1841 18
  • Thomas Sutton, aged 22, a farmer, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Fifeshire" in 1842 19
  • Jargini Sutton, aged 25, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Fifeshire" in 1842 19
  • Robert Sutton, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1842
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Sutton migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. 20
Sutton Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century
  • Mr. George Sutton, (b. 1615), aged 19, British settler travelling from London, UK arriving in St Christopher (St. Kitts) on 5th January 1634 10
  • Dorothy Sutton, who settled in Barbados in 1679

Contemporary Notables of the name Sutton (post 1700) +

  • Eddie Sutton (1965-2024), American singer for Leeway from 1983-1996 and 2006
  • Gregg Sutton (1948-2023), American musician, songwriter, guitarist, singer, and bassist
  • Crystal Lee Sutton (1940-2009), American union organizer and advocate who gained fame in 1979 when she was portrayed in the film Norma Rae. She was fired from her job at the J.P. Stevens plant in Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina on May 30, 1973, after she copied an anti-union letter posted on the company bulletin board
  • Albert L. "Al" Sutton (1933-2022), American physician and human rights activist, dedicated to ending the ongoing racist genocide in Sudan, founder of the African Freedom Coalition
  • Len Sutton (1925-2006), American racecar driver, best known for finishing second at the 1962 Indianapolis 500
  • Loree K. Sutton (b. 1959), American psychiatrist as well as retired military officer
  • Johnny Sutton (b. 1961), American attorney who served as United States Attorney for the Western District of Texas from 2001 until 2009
  • Laurie S. Sutton (b. 1953), American writer known for comic books and children's books. She worked for DC Comics and Marvel Comics in the 1980's
  • Eugene Taylor Sutton (b. 1954), American 14th and current Episcopal Bishop of Maryland
  • Frank Spencer Sutton (1923-1974), American actor best remembered for his role as Gunnery Sergeant Vince Carter
  • ... (Another 50 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
HMAS Sydney II
  • Mr. Denis O'Reilly Sutton (1919-1941), Australian Able Seaman from South Fremantle, Western Australia, Australia, who sailed into battle aboard HMAS Sydney II and died in the sinking 21
  • Mr. Kingsley Sutton (1912-1941), Australian Acting Stoker Petty Officer from St. Kilda, Victoria, Australia, who sailed into battle aboard HMAS Sydney II and died in the sinking 21
HMS Dorsetshire
  • James Henry Sutton, British Chief Petty Officer Sick Berth aboard the HMS Dorsetshire (1945) when she was struck by air bombers and sunk; he survived the sinking 22
HMS Prince of Wales
  • Mr. Harris Sutton, British Chief Yeoman of Signals, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking, also sailed into battle of the Java Sea in 1942 and was lost 23
  • Mr. Sutton, British Petty Officer, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking 23
  • Mr. Sutton, British Able Seaman, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking 23
RMS Lusitania
  • Mr. Nugent Moore Sutton, English Pantry Steward from England, who worked aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and died in the sinking 24
  • Mr. Frank Sutton, English Second Waiter from Liverpool, England, who worked aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and survived the sinking 24
RMS Titanic
  • Mr. Frederick Sutton (d. 1912), aged 61, American First Class passenger from Haddonfield, New Jersey who sailed aboard the RMS Titanic and died in the sinking and was recovered by CS Mackay-Bennett 25
USS Arizona
  • Mr. Clyde Westly Sutton, American Chief Commissary Steward Permanent from California, USA working aboard the ship "USS Arizona" when she sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941, he died in the sinking 26
  • Mr. George Woodrow Sutton, American Storekeeper First Class from Kentucky, USA working aboard the ship "USS Arizona" when she sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941, he died in the sinking 26

The Sutton 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: Pour y parvenir
Motto Translation: To accomplish it.

Suggested Readings for the name Sutton +

  • The Fruit of This Tree by Dorothy Sutton Nicolaysen.
  • History of our Moyer, Finn, Sutton, Russell & Related Families by William Finn Moyer.
  1. Shirley, Evelyn Philip, The Noble and Gentle Men of England; The Arms and Descents. Westminster: John Bower Nichols and Sons, 1866, Print.
  2. Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
  3. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  4. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  5. "Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
  6. The order of Common Surnames in 1955 in Newfoundland retrieved on 20th October 2021 (retrieved from Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland by E.R. Seary corrected edition ISBN 0-7735-1782-0)
  7. "Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
  8. "Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
  9. "UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
  10. 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)
  11. Seary E.R., Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland, Montreal: McGill's-Queen's Universtity Press 1998 ISBN 0-7735-1782-0
  12. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 29th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/barwell
  13. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 1st March 2022). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/elizabeth
  14. State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Almorah voyage to New South Wales, Australia in 1817 with 180 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/almorah/1817
  15. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 16th July 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/dromedary
  16. State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Albion voyage to Van Diemen's Land, Australia in 1823 with 200 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/albion/1823
  17. State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Asia 1 voyage to Van Diemen's Land, Australia in 1824 with 9 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/asia/1824
  18. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  19. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 4th November 2011). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  20. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
  21. HMAS Sydney II, Finding Sydney Foundation - Roll of Honour. (Retrieved 2014, April 24) . Retrieved from http://www.findingsydney.com/roll.asp
  22. Force Z Survivors HMS Dorsetshire Crew List, (Retrieved 2018, February 13th), https://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listdorsetshirecrew.html
  23. HMS Prince of Wales Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listprincecrew.html
  24. Lusitania Passenger List - The Lusitania Resource. (Retrieved 2014, March 7) . Retrieved from http://www.rmslusitania.info/lusitania-passenger-list/
  25. Titanic Passenger List - Titanic Facts. (Retrieved 2016, July 13) . Retrieved from http://www.titanicfacts.net/titanic-passenger-list.html
  26. Pearl Harbour: USS Arizona Casualties List Pearl Harbour December 7, 1941. (Retrieved 2018, July 31st). Retrieved from http://pearl-harbor.com/arizona/casualtylist.html

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