Stoutwell History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland
Scotland

Stoutwell is an ancient Norman name that arrived in England after the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Stoutwell 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 Stoutwell family

The surname Stoutwell 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 Stoutwell family

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

Stoutwell Spelling Variations

Endless spelling variations are a prevailing characteristic of Norman surnames. Old and Middle English lacked any definite spelling rules, and the introduction of Norman French added an unfamiliar ingredient to the English linguistic stew. French and Latin, the languages of the court, also influenced spellings. Finally, Medieval scribes generally spelled words according to how they sounded, so one person was often referred to by different spellings in different documents. 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 Stoutwell 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 Stoutwell Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Stoutwell family to Ireland

Some of the Stoutwell 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 Stoutwell family

To escape the political and religious persecution within England at the time, many English families left for the various British colonies abroad. The voyage was extremely difficult, though, and the cramped, dank ships caused many to arrive in the New World diseased and starving. But for those who made it, the trip was most often worth it. Many of the families who arrived went on to make valuable contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families reveals a number of immigrants bearing the name Stoutwell or a variant listed above: Charles Stuteville who settled in Maryland in 1774.

Citations +

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