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

Rutter Ranking

In the United States, the name Rutter is the 4,919th most popular surname with an estimated 4,974 people with that name. 7 However, in the United Kingdom, the name Rutter is ranked the 989th 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
Rutter Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
Rutter Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
Rutter Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Rutter migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Rutter Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

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

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

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

Contemporary Notables of the name Rutter (post 1700) +


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.
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