Show ContentsSutter History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The German name Sutter comes from the historic region of Austria. The name itself is derived from the Middle High German word "suter," and is an occupational name for a shoemaker or cobbler.

Early Origins of the Sutter family

The surname Sutter was first found in Austria, where bearers of this surname have been prominent contributors to the development of the district from ancient times. Always prominent in social affairs, the family name became an integral part of that turbulent region as it emerged to form alliances with other families within the Feudal System and the nation.

Early History of the Sutter family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Sutter research. Another 67 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1314, 1642 and 1705 are included under the topic Early Sutter History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Sutter Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Sutter, Suter, Sauter, Sautter, Seuter, Seutter, Seiter, Sutterer and many more.

Early Notables of the Sutter family

More information is included under the topic Early Sutter Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Sutter Ranking

In the United States, the name Sutter is the 3,624th most popular surname with an estimated 7,461 people with that name. 1 However, in France, the name Sutter is ranked the 1,731st most popular surname with an estimated 3,502 people with that name. 2


Sutter migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Sutter Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Heiri Sutter, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1743 3
  • Henderick Sutter, aged 23, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1743 3
  • Henderick, Sutter Jr., aged 30, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1743 3
  • Peter Sutter, who settled in Pennsylvania in 1746
  • Werner Sutter, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1749 3
Sutter Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Rudolph Sutter, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1803-1827 3
  • John August Sutter, who landed in America in 1834 3
  • Samuel Sutter, who arrived in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1836 3
  • Anthony Sutter, who arrived in Somerset County, Pennsylvania in 1838 3
  • John Sutter, who arrived in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1840 3
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Sutter migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Sutter Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • John Sutter, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1750
  • Mr. James Sutter U.E. who settled in Canada c. 1784 4

Sutter migration to Australia +

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

Sutter Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • John Sutter, aged 25, a housekeeper, who arrived in South Australia in 1854 aboard the ship "James Fernie" 5

Contemporary Notables of the name Sutter (post 1700) +

  • Howard Bruce Sutter (1953-2022), American professional baseball pitcher who played 12 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) between 1976 and 1988, winner of the Cy Young Award in 1979 as its top pitcher, and winner of the Rolaids Relief Man Award four times
  • Joseph Frederick "Joe" Sutter (1921-2016), American engineer for the Boeing Airplane Company, manager of the design team for the Boeing 747
  • Barton Sutter, American author, the only author to win the Minnesota Book Award in three separate categories
  • Kurt Sutter, American screenwriter
  • Walter H. Sutter, American politician, Mayor of East Cleveland, Ohio, 1951 6
  • T. C. Sutter, American Republican politician, Delegate to Republican National Convention from Missouri, 1948; Chair of Newton County Republican Party, 1949 6
  • Lyman B. Sutter (1904-1963), American politician, Mayor of Long Beach, California, 1953-54; Municipal judge in California 6
  • Lisa Sutter, American Democratic Party politician, Candidate for Texas State House of Representatives 115th District, 2002 6
  • Lafayette F. Sutter, American Democratic Party politician, Candidate for U.S. Representative from Pennsylvania 27th District, 1920 6
  • John Augustus Sutter Jr. (1826-1897), American politician, Candidate for Governor of California, 1849; U.S. Consul in Acapulco, 1874-84 6
  • ... (Another 8 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)


  1. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  2. http://www.journaldesfemmes.com/nom-de-famille/nom/
  3. 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)
  4. 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
  5. South Australian Register Friday 17th November 1854. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) James Fernie 1854. Retrieved http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/australia/jamesfernie1854.shtml
  6. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, November 16) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html


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