Contents [hide]

Rutter History Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables Ranking

United States Canada Australia New Zealand West Indies

Contemporary Notables Historic Events Related Stories Motto Citations

Rutter History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Early Origins of the Rutter family

The surname Rutter 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 Rutter family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Rutter 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 Rutter History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Rutter Spelling Variations

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

Early Notables of the Rutter family

Distinguished members of the family include

John Rutter (fl. 1635), was an English poet who belonged to Ben Jonson's latest circle of friends. 6

Rutter Ranking

In the United States, the name Rutter is the 4,919^th most popular surname with an estimated 4,974 people with that name. 7 However, in the United Kingdom, the name Rutter is ranked the 989^th most popular surname with an estimated 7,045 people with that name. 8

Rutter migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Rutter Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

John Rutter, aged 22, who arrived aboard the ship "Confidence" in 1638 in New England and Boston stated.
Elizabeth Rutter, who arrived in Maryland in 1668 9
Richard Rutter, who arrived in Maryland in 1678 9
William Rutter, who arrived in Maryland in 1681 9
Conrad Rutter, who landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1683 9

Rutter Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Thomas Rutter, who landed in Maryland in 1716 9
Francis Rutter, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1753 9
Henry Rutter, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1754 9

Rutter Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

James Rutter, who arrived in America in 1807 9
Miss Elizabeth Rutter, (b. 1777), aged 63, English settler departing from England aboard the Ship "Royal Adelaide" arriving in the United States on 21st April 1840 10
Charles James Rutter, who arrived in Texas in 1850-1906 9
George Rutter, who arrived in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1870 9
John Rutter, who landed in Arkansas in 1898 9

Rutter Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Mr. John Henry Rutter, (b. 1881), aged 23, Cornish miner, from Camborne, Cornwall, UK travelling aboard the ship "Philadelphia" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 3rd September 1904 en route to Houghton, Michigan, USA 11
Miss Nellie Rutter, (b. 1885), aged 19, American returning from Cornwall, UK travelling aboard the ship "St Louis" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 24th April 1904 en route to New Mexico, USA 11
Mr. Solomon Rutter, (b. 1885), aged 19, Cornish miner travelling aboard the ship "Philadelphia" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 3rd September 1904 en route to Houghton, Michigan, USA 11

Rutter migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Rutter Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Mr. George Rutter U.E. (b. 1750) born in Wurtemburg, Germany who settled in Adolphus Town [Adolphustown], Ontario c. 1784 married to Elizabeth having 12 children, he died in 1848 12
Mr. John George Rutter U.E. who settled in Canada c. 1784 12

Rutter migration to Australia +

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

Rutter Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

William Rutter, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Midlothian" in 1850 13
Alfred Rutter, aged 26, a shoemaker, who arrived in South Australia in 1854 aboard the ship "Trafalgar" 14
Mr. Richard Rutter, (b. 1833), aged 27, Cornish settler who immigrated to New South Wales, Australia aboard the ship "Trident" in 1858 convicted at Darlinghurst Gaol in 1860 15
Mr. James Edwin Rutter, Cornish seaman who immigrated to New South Wales, Australia aboard the ship "Jason" in 1856 convicted at Maitland Gaol on 12th October 1864 15
Mr. Charles Rutter, English convict who was convicted in Birmingham, England for 10 years, transported aboard the "Clara" on 28th January 1864, arriving in Western Australia, Australia 16

Rutter 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:

Rutter Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Mr. Samuel Rutter (Retter), (b. 1804), aged 37, British labourer travelling from Gravesend aboard the ship "Lord William Bentinck" arriving in Wellington, New Zealand on 24th May 1841 17
Mrs. Jane Rutter (Retter), (b. 1814), aged 27, British settler travelling from Gravesend aboard the ship "Lord William Bentinck" arriving in Wellington, New Zealand on 24th May 1841 17
Mr. Charles Rutter (Retter), (b. 1839), aged 2, British settler travelling from Gravesend aboard the ship "Lord William Bentinck" arriving in Wellington, New Zealand on 24th May 1841 17
Miss J. Rutter (Retter), (b. 1835), aged 6, British settler travelling from Gravesend aboard the ship "Lord William Bentinck" arriving in Wellington, New Zealand on 24th May 1841 17
Arthur C. Rutter, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Telegraph" in 1863
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Rutter 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. 18

Rutter Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century

Thomas Rutter, who arrived in Barbados in 1635
Mr. Thomas Rutter, (b. 1613), aged 22, British settler travelling from London, England aboard the ship "Alexander" arriving in Barbados in 1635 19
Daniel Rutter, who settled in Barbados in 1685

Contemporary Notables of the name Rutter (post 1700) +

John Milford Rutter CBE (b. 1945), English composer, choral conductor and arranger, known for his Christmas carols, anthems and Gloria, the Requiem and the Magnificat
William J. Rutter (1928-1981), American biochemist, co-founder of the biotechnology Chiron Corporation in 1981
Troy Rutter (b. 1973), American actor, author and programmer from Ames, Iowa
Tommy Rutter (b. 1977), English American soccer player
Sir Michael Llewellyn Rutter CBE FRS FRCP FRCPsych FMedSci (1933-2021), English medical pioneer, the first person to be appointed professor of child psychiatry in the United Kingdom, the "father of child psychology"
John Rutter (1796-1851), English topographer and printer at Shaftesbury, Dorset, son of Thomas Rutter, a Quaker, of Bristol
Thomas "Tommy" Rutter (b. 1977), English football defender from Stroud
Edward Owen Rutter (1889-1944), English historian, novelist and travel writer
Barrie Rutter (b. 1946), English actor, founder and Artistic Director of the Northern Broadsides Theatre Company
Keith Rutter (b. 1934), English former footballer from Leeds
... (Another 7 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Rutter family +

HMS Royal Oak

William Rutter (1917-1939), British Able Seaman with the Royal Navy aboard the HMS Royal Oak (1939) when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he died in the sinking 20

RMS Titanic

Mr. Sidney Frank "Graves" Rutter (d. 1912), aged 30, English Plumber from Southampton, Hampshire who worked aboard the RMS Titanic and died in the sinking 21

The Rutter 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.

Citations +

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)
Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
"UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=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)
Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 2018, April 30). Emigrants to New York 1820 - 1891 [PDF]. Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_new_york_1820_1891.pdf
Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 3rd May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_ellis_island_1892_on.pdf
Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X
State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) MIDLOTHIAN 1850. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1850Midlothian.gif
South Australian Register Thursday 29th June 1854. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) Trafalgar 1854. Retrieved http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/australia/trafalgar1854.shtml
Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retreived 3rd May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_nsw_gaol_admissions.pdf
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 16th February 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/clara
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
Pilgrim Ship Lists Early 1600's retrieved 28th September 2021 from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
Ships hit by U-boats crew list HMS Royal Oak (08) - (Retrieved 2018 February, 9th) - retrieved from https://uboat.net/allies/merchants/crews/ship68.html
Titanic Passenger List - Titanic Facts. (Retrieved 2016, July 13) . Retrieved from http://www.titanicfacts.net/titanic-passenger-list.html