Show ContentsDestoutefelt History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Destoutefelt is an ancient Norman name that arrived in England after the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Destoutefelt family lived in Cumberland. Their name, however, is a reference to Estouteville-en-Caux, Normandy, the family's place of residence prior to the Norman Conquest of England in 1066. [1]

Early Origins of the Destoutefelt family

The surname Destoutefelt was first found in Cumberland where they held a family seat as Lords of the Manor and Barons of Lydesdale Castle on the western borders of England and Scotland. This ancient family were derived d'Estouteville-en-Caux in Normandy where the family held the Castle Ambriers and Robert d'Estouteville was Governor of the Castle 11 years prior to the Battle of Hastings, in 1055, and defended it against the Count of Anjou. [2]

They also held the Castle of Rames, to the west of Bolbec, in the arrondisement of LeHavre. Of this branch, Roger, brother of Herluin is claimed to be the true ancestor of the Estouteville family. Herluin was founder and first Abbot of the Abbey of Bec.

Roger was at the Battle of Hastings as recorded in the Wace poem. They were granted extensive lands in England after the Conquest, particularly in Yorkshire and the north country. They were described as men of great power, warlike habits, and held vast territorial possessions.

Robert de Stuteville (died 1186), was an English Baron and justiciar, the son of Robert de Stuteville, one of the northern barons who commanded the English at the battle of the Standard in August 1138. His son William de Stuteville (d 1203) was Governor of Topclive Castle in 1174, and of Roxburgh Castle in 1177. [3]

One branch of the family was found at Dalham in Suffolk in early times. "Dalham Hall, [was] formerly the residence of the family of Stuteville." [4]

Early History of the Destoutefelt family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Destoutefelt research. Another 185 words (13 lines of text) covering the years 1106, 1138, 1180, 1186, 1253, 1273 and 1283 are included under the topic Early Destoutefelt History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Destoutefelt Spelling Variations

Norman surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. The frequent changes in surnames are largely due to the fact that the Old and Middle English languages lacked definite spelling rules. The introduction of Norman French to England, as well as the official court languages of Latin and French, also had pronounced influences on the spelling of surnames. Since medieval scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, rather than adhering to any specific spelling rules, it was common to find the same individual referred to with different spellings. The name has been spelled Stutteville, Stuteville, Stootville, Stooteville, Stutville, Stutvill, Stuttvill, Stutevill, Stuttevill, Stoutteville, Stouteville, d`Estouteville, Estouteville, Estuteville, Estutteville, Estoutteville and many more.

Early Notables of the Destoutefelt family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Robert II de Stuteville, one of the northern barons who commanded the English at the battle of the Standard in August...
Another 28 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Destoutefelt Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Destoutefelt family to Ireland

Some of the Destoutefelt family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Destoutefelt family

Many English families emigrated to North American colonies in order to escape the political chaos in Britain at this time. Unfortunately, many English families made the trip to the New World under extremely harsh conditions. Overcrowding on the ships caused the majority of the immigrants to arrive diseased, famished, and destitute from the long journey across the stormy Atlantic. Despite these hardships, many of the families prospered and went on to make invaluable contributions to the development of the cultures of the United States and Canada. Early North American immigration records have revealed a number of people bearing the name Destoutefelt or a variant listed above: Charles Stuteville who settled in Maryland in 1774.



  1. 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)
  2. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  3. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
  4. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.


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