Show ContentsRutlan History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Rutlan reached English shores for the first time with the ancestors of the Rutlan family as they migrated following the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Rutlan family lived in a number of locations bearing the name Rutland in the counties of Derbyshire, Cornwall, Surrey, and Cumberland, as well as the county of Rutland itself. Rutlan is a classic example of an English polygenetic surname, which is a surname that was developed in a number of different locations and adopted by various families independently.

Early Origins of the Rutlan family

The surname Rutlan was first found in Surrey where the family was anciently seated as Lords of the Manor of Mitcham in Surrey. At the time of the taking of the Domesday Book, 1 a survey initiated by Duke William of Normandy in 1086 after his conquest of England at Hastings in 1066 A.D., Mitcham was recorded as being held by the Canons of Bayeux who held it from the Bishop of Bayeux. The village of Mitcham consisted of one half a mill, a rating not uncommon, and was anciently famous for being the scene of lavender fields.

One of the first records of the family was Hugh or Rutland or Hue de Rotelande (fl. 1185), an Anglo-Norman poet. 2

Early History of the Rutlan family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Rutlan research. Another 46 words (3 lines of text) covering the year 1782 is included under the topic Early Rutlan History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Rutlan Spelling Variations

Before the advent of the printing press and the first dictionaries, the English language was not standardized. Sound was what guided spelling in the Middle Ages, so one person's name was often recorded under several variations during a single lifetime. Spelling variations were common, even among the names of the most literate people. Known variations of the Rutlan family name include Rutland, Ritland, Rotland, Rutlane, Ratland, Ruttland, Rutlland, Roushland and many more.

Early Notables of the Rutlan family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was

  • Frederick William Rutland of Surrey

Migration of the Rutlan family

To escape the political and religious chaos of this era, thousands of English families began to migrate to the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. The passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe; however, those who made the voyage safely were encountered opportunities that were not available to them in their homeland. Many of the families that reached the New World at this time went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations of the United States and Canada. Research into various historical records has revealed some of first members of the Rutlan family to immigrate North America: Richard Rutland who settled in Virginia in 1641; Edward Rutland settled in Boston Massachusetts in 1765; Agnes Rutland settled in New York State in 1823..



The Rutlan 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: Post praeilia praemia
Motto Translation: Reward after battle.


  1. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  2. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print


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