Show ContentsSutton History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Sutton Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Etymology of Sutton

What does the name Sutton mean?

Sutton is a name that first reached England following the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Sutton family lived in Somerset, at Sutton Montague.

Early Origins of the Sutton family

The surname Sutton was first found in Nottinghamshire where they were descended from Dreu de Montaigu who came into England at the Norman Conquest in 1066 A.D. in the train of the Count of Mortain. His first seat was at Sutton Montague in Somerset, and the family later acquired Sutton upon Trent near Tuxford in Nottingham, where they became Lords of the manor and the Barons Dudley.

"Sutton-upon-Trent gave name to this ancient family, the first upon record being Roland, son of Hervey, who lived in the reign of Henry III., and married Alice, daughter and coheiress of Richard de Lexington." 1

There are countless listings of the place name throughout Britain in the Domesday Book with various spellings due to the literal meaning of the name "south farmstead or village." 2 The parish Averham in Nottinghamshire was an ancient family seat.

"At the time of the siege of Newark, many skirmishes occurred here; and in 1644, the ancient manor-house, then belonging to Robert Sutton, Lord Lexington and Baron of Averham, and which had been the residence of the family from 1250, was destroyed." 3

However, the church in Averham and Kelham still hold many relics and several ancient memorials to the Suttons. Some of the church windows date back to 1220. On the south wall is a mural monument, adorned with cherubs and armorial bearings, to the memory of the Right Hon. Robert Lord Lexington, having descended from "ye ancient family of ye Suttons." 3

Kelham Hall has been the present family seat since it was built in the 1860s.

Early History of the Sutton family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Sutton research. Another 98 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1172, 1310, 1342, 1359, 1380, 1381, 1382, 1383, 1384, 1385, 1386, 1388, 1391, 1394, 1397, 1399, 1400, 1401, 1406, 1414, 1425, 1428, 1440, 1460, 1483, 1487, 1532, 1594, 1625, 1640 and 1668 are included under the topic Early Sutton History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Sutton Spelling Variations

The English language only became standardized in the last few centuries. For that reason, spelling variations are common among many Anglo-Norman names. The shape of the English language was frequently changed with the introduction of elements of Norman French, Latin, and other European languages; even the spelling of literate people's names were subsequently modified. Sutton has been recorded under many different variations, including Sutton, Suton, Suttone and others.

Early Notables of the Sutton family

  • Robert Sutton (died 1414), of Lincoln, Lincolnshire, an English politician, one of the wealthiest and most influential merchants in Lincoln, a Member (MP) of the Parliament of England for Lincoln in 1...
  • Hervey of Sutton, first Lord of Sutton upon Trent
  • John Sutton (1400-1487), 1st Baron Dudley, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland from 1428-30 and Member of Parliament from 1440 to 1487
  • his son, Sir Edmund Sutton (1425-1483) Baron Tibetot and Cherlton, Knight of Dudley Castle and Gatescombe
  • Edward Sutton, 2nd Baron Dudley (c.1460-1532), an English nobleman
  • Robert Sutton, 1st Baron Lexinton (1594-1668), English politician, Royalist Member of Parliament in 1625 and 1640

Sutton World Ranking

In the United Kingdom, the name Sutton is the 209th most popular surname with an estimated 27,166 people with that name. 4 However, in Australia, the name Sutton is ranked the 194th most popular surname with an estimated 16,625 people with that name. 5 And in New Zealand, the name Sutton is the 148th popular surname with an estimated 3,333 people with that name. 6 Canada ranks Sutton as 703rd with 7,527 people. 7 Newfoundland, Canada ranks Sutton as 248th with 178 people. 8 The United States ranks Sutton as 283rd with 94,506 people. 9

Migration of the Sutton family to Ireland

Some of the Sutton family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 58 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Sutton migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia included the First Fleet and Second Fleet of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

First Fleet
  • Mr. William Talbot Sutton, (1762 - 1829), aged 27, British settler convicted at London, England in 1789, sentenced to Life for fraud, transported aboard the ship "Neptune, Scarborough or Surprize" leaving in 1789 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1790 10
  • Miss Sarah Sutton, (b. 1768), aged 19, British settler convicted in Middlesex, England in 1787, sentenced to 7 years for pick pocketing, transported aboard the ship "Lady Juliana" leaving in 1789 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1790 11
Second Fleet
  • Mr. Thomas Sutton, (d. 1796), British settler convicted in Middlesex, England in 1788, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Admiral Barrington" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 11
Following the First and Second Fleets, other convicts and early settlers arriving in Australia include:

Sutton Settlers in Australia in the 18th Century
  • Mr. William Sutton, English convict who was convicted in Surrey, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Barwell" in September 1797, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 11
  • Mr. Matthew Sutton, Irish lawyer who was convicted in Ireland for life for sedition, transported aboard the  "Friendship" on 24th August 1799, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 12
Sutton Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mr. William Sutton, (b. 1789), aged 27, English labourer who was convicted in Lancaster, Lancashire, England for life, transported aboard the "Elizabeth" in May 1816, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he died in 1830 13
  • Richard Sutton, English convict from Essex, who was transported aboard the "Almorah" on April 1817, settling in New South Wales, Australia 14
  • Mr. Charles Sutton, English convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Dromedary" on 11th September 1819, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 15
  • Richard Sutton, English convict from Surrey, who was transported aboard the "Albion" on May 17, 1823, settling in Van Diemen's Land, Australia 16
  • Thomas Sutton, English convict from Middlesex, who was transported aboard the "Asia" on October 22nd, 1824, settling in New South Wales, Australia 17
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Sutton 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:

Sutton Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • J Sutton, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1841 aboard the ship Jane 18
  • John G. Sutton, who arrived in Port Nicholson aboard the ship "Jane" in 1841 18
  • Thomas Sutton, aged 22, a farmer, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Fifeshire" in 1842 19
  • Jargini Sutton, aged 25, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Fifeshire" in 1842 19
  • Robert Sutton, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1842
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Sutton 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. 20
Sutton Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century
  • Mr. George Sutton, (b. 1615), aged 19, British settler travelling from London, UK arriving in St Christopher (St. Kitts) on 5th January 1634 21
  • Dorothy Sutton, who settled in Barbados in 1679

Sutton migration to Canada +

Sutton Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
Sutton Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • William Sutton, who arrived in Halifax or New York in 1811
  • John Sutton, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1814
  • Catherine Sutton in Harbour Grace, Newfoundland in 1817 22
  • John Sutton in Catalina, Newfoundland in 1822 22
  • John Sutton, who landed in Canada in 1830
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Sutton migration to the United States +



Sutton Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Nicholas Sutton, who arrived in Virginia in 1622 aboard the ship "James, killed in 1624 21
  • William Sutton, who landed in Virginia in 1623 21
  • Symon Sutton, who landed in New England in 1634 aboard the ship "Hercules" 21
  • George Sutton, from Kent, who arrived in New England in 1634 aboard the ship "Hercules", bound for Scituate 21
  • Mr. Robert Sutton, (b. 1618), aged 17, British settler traveling aboard the ship "Safety" arriving in Virginia in 1635 23
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Sutton Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • John Sutton, who arrived in Virginia in 1703 21
  • Timo Sutton, who arrived in Virginia in 1705 21
  • Alexander Sutton, who arrived in Virginia in 1713 21
  • Alexander Sutton, who landed in Virginia in 1717 21
  • Mary Sutton, who settled in Maryland in 1719
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Sutton Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Thomas Sutton, who landed in America in 1810 21
  • Michael Sutton, who arrived in New York in 1811 21
  • Mr. William Sutton, aged 35, British weaver who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Britannia" on 20th July 1840
  • John Sutton, who landed in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1840 21
  • Demold Sutton, aged 59, who arrived in Missouri in 1840 21
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Sutton (post 1700) +

  • John Sutton (1919-1992), English geologist
  • Graham Sutton (b. 1972), English musician, songwriter and record producer based in Hackney, UK
  • Dudley Sutton (1933-2018), English actor, best known for his role of Tinker Dill in the BBC Television drama series Lovejoy
  • Michael John Sutton (1944-2020), English professional footballer for Norwich City (1960-1962)
  • Michael Antony "Tonny" Sutton (1921-2019), English first-class cricket for Oxford University in 1946 and 1947 from Weymouth, Dorset
  • Ritchie Sutton (b. 1986), English footballer
  • James Robert "Jim" Sutton CNZM (b. 1941), English-born, New Zealand politician from 1984–1990 and from 1993–2006
  • Chris Sutton (b. 1973), English footballer
  • Denys Sutton (1917-1991), English editor, and art critic
  • ... (Another 52 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
HMAS Sydney II
  • Mr. Denis O'Reilly Sutton (1919-1941), Australian Able Seaman from South Fremantle, Western Australia, Australia, who sailed into battle aboard HMAS Sydney II and died in the sinking 24
  • Mr. Kingsley Sutton (1912-1941), Australian Acting Stoker Petty Officer from St. Kilda, Victoria, Australia, who sailed into battle aboard HMAS Sydney II and died in the sinking 25
  • James Henry Sutton, British Chief Petty Officer Sick Berth aboard the HMS Dorsetshire (1945) when she was struck by air bombers and sunk; he survived the sinking 25
  • Mr. Harris Sutton, British Chief Yeoman of Signals, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking, also sailed into battle of the Java Sea in 1942 and was lost 26
  • Mr. Sutton, British Petty Officer, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking 27
  • ... (Another 6 entries are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

The Sutton 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: Pour y parvenir
Motto Translation: To accomplish it.

Suggested Readings for the name Sutton +

  • The Fruit of This Tree by Dorothy Sutton Nicolaysen.
  • History of our Moyer, Finn, Sutton, Russell & Related Families by William Finn Moyer.
  1. Shirley, Evelyn Philip, The Noble and Gentle Men of England; The Arms and Descents. Westminster: John Bower Nichols and Sons, 1866, Print.
  2. Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
  3. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  4. "UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
  5. "Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
  6. "Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
  7. "Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
  8. The order of Common Surnames in 1955 in Newfoundland retrieved on 20th October 2021 (retrieved from Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland by E.R. Seary corrected edition ISBN 0-7735-1782-0)
  9. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  10. Convict Records of Australia. Retrieved 4th February 2021 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships
  11. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 29th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/barwell
  12. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 24th October 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au
  13. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 1st March 2022). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/elizabeth
  14. State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Almorah voyage to New South Wales, Australia in 1817 with 180 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/almorah/1817
  15. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 16th July 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/dromedary
  16. State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Albion voyage to Van Diemen's Land, Australia in 1823 with 200 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/albion/1823
  17. State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Asia 1 voyage to Van Diemen's Land, Australia in 1824 with 9 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/asia/1824
  18. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  19. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 4th November 2011). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  20. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
  21. 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)
  22. Seary E.R., Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland, Montreal: McGill's-Queen's Universtity Press 1998 ISBN 0-7735-1782-0
  23. Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's. Retrieved October 5th 2021 from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
  24. HMAS Sydney II, Finding Sydney Foundation - Roll of Honour. (Retrieved 2014, April 24) . Retrieved from http://www.findingsydney.com/roll.asp
  25. Force Z Survivors HMS Dorsetshire Crew List, (Retrieved 2018, February 13th), https://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listdorsetshirecrew.html
  26. HMS Prince of Wales Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listprincecrew.html

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