Sutton Family Crest, Coat of Arms and Name History

Sutton Surname Name Meaning, Origin, History, & Etymology
This is a locational/habitational last name of Anglo-Saxon meaning “of Sutton”, denoting a person who came from or lived in the south town or the south enclosure, deriving from the Old English words suð (south) and tun (enclosure). There are numerous places so named throughout the British Isles. One author notes there are over 60 districts, parishes, and chapelries in England so named, not including farms and small manors. One such place, Sutton in county Surrey, was recorded in a Latin charter from 727 AD as “apud Suþtone”.  There is also a place named Sutton in Devonshire, England. The name has similar origins to the surnames of Easton, Norton, and Weston. The family first lived in Somerset, at Sutton Montague. The progenitor of ancestor of this family was Skyward (or Siward) de Sutton who was born around 1066 AD in Holderness, Yorkshire, England. While most author claim this is an Anglo-Saxon one name, another theory is that they family, which first established itself in Nottinghamshire, descended from Dreu de Montaigu who came to England from France during the Norman Conquest of 1066 AD, accompanying the Count of Mortain, where he became seated at Montague in Somerset, and later his descendants acquired Sutton upon Trent in Nottingham, where they became Barons Dudley.. The family seat was in the parish of Averham in Nottinghamshire.

Spelling Variations
Some spelling variants or names with similar etymologies include Soutton, Suttone, Sudtone, Suatton, and Suttoon.

Popularity & Geographic Distribution
The last name Sutton ranks 319^th in popularity in the United Status as of the 2000 Census. The name ranks particularly high in the following four states: North Carolina, Indiana, Missouri, and Nebraska. The surname Sutton frequency/commonness ranks as follows in the British Isles: England (211^th), Scotland (749^th), Wales (195^th), Ireland (570^th) and Northern Ireland (1,273^rd). In England, it ranks highest in county Leicestershire. In Scotland, the surname ranks highest in counties Orkney and Peeblesshire. In Wales, it ranks highest in Pembrokeshire. In Ireland, it ranks highest in Wicklow. In Northern Ireland, it ranks highest in Fermanagh. The name is also present throughout the remainder English speaking world:  Canada (659^th), New Zealand (155^th), Australia (210^th), and South Africa (1,487^th). The 1890 book Homes of Family Names by H.B. Guppy, states the following in regard to this surname: “Scattered about in different parts of England, and best represented in Cheshire, Lancashire, Staffordshire, Norfolk, Kent, Wilts, etc. Sutton is a very common name of parishes, villages, etc., and probably the surname has been in nearly every case in the first place thus derived. We learn from the Hundred Rolls that six centuries ago the surname was numerous in Notts, Shropshire, Somerset, and also in Lincolnshire and Kent”.

Early Bearers of the Surname
The first known bearer of this surname was Ketel de Sudtone, who was recorded in Lincolnshire in the Domesday Book of 1086 AD, a survey of England and Wales ordered by William the Conqueror. A one Alnod Suttuna was listed in Cambridgeshire in 1086 AD in the Ancient Records of El. The Hundred Rolls of 1273 AD, a census of Wales and England, known in Latin as Rotuli Hundredorum lists two bearers of this surname: Geoffrey de Suttone (counting Huntingdonshire) and Saer de Sutton (Yorkshire). In Scotland, a one  Mariot de Sutton of Dumfriesshire rendered homage in 1296 AD.

The Poll Tax of Yorkshire in 1379 AD lists three bearers of this last name: Johannes de Soutton, Johannes de Sutton, and Symon de Sutton. A one Albinus de Sutton was recorded in county Nottinghamshire in 1291 AD in the Placita de Quo Warranto. An early marriage involving this surname was Jeames Sutton to Margaret Bonnor at St. Dionis Backchurch in 1593 AD.

Sutton Family Tree & Sutton Genealogy

Sutton of Scawby Hall
This branch of the Sutton family tree begins with a discussion of Robert Nassau Sutton, Esquire, son of Sir Richard, 1^st Baronet of Norwood Park. In 1812, he married Mary Georgiana, daughter of John Manners Sutton of Kelham, and had the following six children with her: Robert (discussed below), Henry John, Frederick (Captain of the 11^th Hussars, married Eliza Jones of Ospringe and later Georgina Croft, had issue named Algernon, Herbert Arthur, Charles Nassau, Amy Georgina, and Eva Pulteney Marguerite). His son, Reverend Robert Sutton, of Scawby Hall, county Lincoln, was a Justice of the Peace for areas in Lindsey who was born in 1813. In 1847, he married Charlotte and had eight issue with her as follows: Robert Nassau (Captain of the 8^th Hussars), Henry John (Lieutenant Colonel of the 87^th Royal Irish Fusiliers), Francis Richard (1853), Hugh Nelthorpe (1857), Mary Georgiana (married Coningsby Charles Sibthorp of Canwick Hall), Evelyn Charlotte, Mabel Albinia (married Montagu Richard Waldo Sibthorp of Canwick), and Janetta Nina. The Sutton Coat of Arms (mistakenly called the Sutton Family Crest) is blazoned in heraldry as follows: Argent, a canton sable. Crest: A wolf’s head erased gules. Motto: Touts jours prest.

Baron Sutton
Sir Robert Lexington Sutton, 8^th Baronet, of Norwood Park, count Nottingham, England, was born in January 1897 and educated at Wellington College. He served in World War I and was a Lieutenant of the 1^st Life Guards. In 1926, he married Gwynneth Gwaldys, daughter of Major A.C. Cover of Bedford, and had two sons with her as follows: Richard Lexington (1937) and James Anthony (1940). He was the son of Sir Arthur Edward Sutton, 7^th Baronet, born in 1857, who married Cecil Blanche, daughter of Walter Douglas Dumbleton of Oakhurst. The lineage/ancestry of this branch of the same tree goes back to Sir William Sutton, Knight, of Aram, Nottingham, England, modern day Great Britain or United Kingdom, who married Susan, daughter of Thomas Coney of Bassingthorpe, and had four sons with her as follows: Robert (created Baron Lexington in 1645 for his royalty to the Royal cause, had son Robert, granddaughter Bridget), Richard, Henry, and Gervas. His third son, Henry Sutton, married Mabel, daughter of Henry Faunt. Heny in turn was succeeded by his eldest son, Robert. Robert married and had two sons: Sir Robert (his heir) and Richard (of Scofton, Nottingham, Lieutenant General in the Army, Governor of Bruges, married Catherine de Tolmer and had issue including Robert, Robert, Robert William, and Ann, the later marrying Sir Robert Gunning, 1^st Baronet). Robert’s heir was his elder son, Right Honorable Sir Robert Sutton, P.C., K.B., Ambassador to Holland, Paris, and Constantinople, Member of Parliament, and Privy Councillor who was born in 1671. In 1724, he married Judith, daughter and co-heir of Benjamin Tichborne, and through her, acquired the Lodnon estates. He died in 1746 and was succeeded by his eldest son John. John purchased Norwood Park but died without posterity in 1772, whereupon he was succeeded by his brother Richard. This Sir Richard Sutton, 1^st Baronet, of Norwood Park was born in July of 1733 and became a Baronewt in 1772. He was educated at Trinity College Cambridge, was a Member of Parliament for St. Albans, and was Under Secretary of State from 1766 until 1772. He first married Susan, daughter of Philip Champion de Crespigny of Camberwell, and later Anne, daughter and co-heir of William Peere Williams of Codhay, and had issue with her including John (married Sophia Frances Chaplin, had son named Sir Richard, 2^nd Baronet) and Robert (Captain of the 7^th Fusiliers, married Mary Georgiana Sutton of Kelham, had issue including Reverend Robert of Scawby). The Sutton Coat of Arms (erroneously called the Sutton Family Crest by those unfamiliar with heraldry and genealogy) is blazoned as follows: Quarterly, 1^st and 4^th, a canton sable, for Sutton: 2^nd and 3^rd argent, a cross fleury, azure, for Lexinton. Crest: A wolf’s head erased, gules. Motto: Tout hours present. They were seated at Shanks, Wincanton, Somerset. They resides at Clinger Farm, Cucklington, Wincanton, Somerset, England, Great Britain, United Kingdom.

Other Sutton Pedigree & Family Trees
The progenitor of ancestor of this family was Skyward (or Siward) de Sutton who was born around 1066 AD in Holderness, Yorkshire, England. His son was Syward (or Seward) Sutton II who was born in Holderness, Yorkshire, England in 1137 AD. He in turn had a son named Sayer (or Serius) who was born in the same town around 1156 AD. He married Edith Grosse and had two sons with her: William and Amandus. His son Amandus was born in Holderness in 1186 AD. He married Jean Aubigny and had a son with her named Saire. This Saire Sutton was born in Holderness in 1215 AD. He married Joanna Ayncourt and had a son with her named Saire. This Saire was born in Holderness, Yorkshire England and he married Anne Ros, with whom he had a son named John. John Sutton was born in Holderness in 1270 AD. He married Constantia Sampson and had two sons with her: William (father of Maude) and Thomas. His son Sir Thomas Sutton was born in Holderness, Yorkshire in 1315 AD. He married Agnes de Holtom and had four issue: Margaret (Hilton), Constance, Constance, and Maud (Hastings).

A one Robert Sutton was born around 1580 in England. He married Mary Austen in 1604 in Kent and had a son with her named George. George Sutton was born around 1613 in England and went to colonial America prior to 1636. He married Sarah Tilden in Massachusetts, and prior to his 1669 death in North Carolina, he had the following issue with her: Joseph, Nicholas, William, John Sr., Nathaniel, Lydia, Sarah (Tembley), and Elizabeth (Fletcher). His son William was born in Scituate in Plymouth, Massachusetts in 1641. He married Darmaris Bishop and had four sons with her: Thomas, John David Sr., Richard, and Daniel. His son John David Sutton Sr. was born in Piscataway, New Jersey in 1674 and had the following issue with her: David Sr, Moses, and John Jr. His son Reverend David Sutton Jr. was born in New Jersey in 1703. He married Elizabeth Cox and Sarah Tremley, with whom he had the following issue: Elizabeth Cosad, Mariah Sutton, Isaac Sr., David Jr., John, James, Abraham, Moses, and Sara (Cox). His son, Reverend Isaac Sutton Sr., was born in Basking Ridge, New Jersey around 1728. He married Rachel Doty and had three issue with her: Jacob, Isaac, and Samuel. His son Reverend Samuel was born in New Jersey in 1754 and he married Sara McCoy, having the following 13 children: David, John, Benjamin, Moses, Aaron, George, Samuel, William, Jacob, Rachel (White), Isaac, James, and Ann. His son George was born in Fayette, Pennsylvania in 1784. He married Hannah Gard and fathered the following children: Aaron, Noah, John, Sarah (Pugh), Letticia (Dixon), Simeon, Jacob, Harvey, Julia Anna (Gard), and Benjamin. His son Samuel “Uncle Sammy” Sutton was born in Preble County, Ohio in 1816. He married Mary Gay Patterson and had the following issue with her: John Patterson, Nancy, Hannah (Ellis), Simeon A., Lurton Dunham, and William Harvey. His son John Patterson Sutton was born in the same county in 1839. He married Eliza Jane Reed and prior to his 1911 death in Missouri, he had four children with her as follows: Sarah Ellen (Butler), Mary Ida, Samuel G., and Clarence Jefferson. His son Clarence Jefferson “Pete” Sutton was born in Harrison, Missouri in 1876. He married Etta Maude Thompson and had the following issue with her: Oda R, John Roscurles, Clarence Olin, George W., Milton Argyl, Nellie May, Virgil Willard, Myrtle Ruth (Groves), and Mary E. (Barron). His son George W. was born in Harrison County, Missouri in 1909. He married Grace Alwida Kemp in Caldwell County in 1954. He passed away in Bethany, MO in 1991.

Samuel Sutton was born in Barrow Upon Soar, Leicestershire, England in 1756 AD. He had a son also named Samuel who was born in Norfolk in 1790. Samuel married Sarah Cox and had a daughter named Eliza (Hoult).

Early American and New World Settlers
Nicholas Sutton was recorded as living in Virginia (at “Chaplains choise”) in February 1623. He came aboard the James in 1622 and was later killed by Native Americans. William Sutton was recorded as living in Virginia (at “Plantacon over James Cittie”) in February 1623. Joseph Sutton, age 24, came to Virginia aboard the Thomas & John in June 1635. Ellin Sutton, age 20, came to Virginia aboard the Primrose in July 1635. Robert Sutton, age 17, came to Virginia aboard the Safety in August 1635. John Sutton came to the New World aboard the Prosperous in July 1679. Katharine, daughter of John and Mary Sutton, was born in January 1678 in the parish of St. Michael’s, Barbados.  Dorothy Sutton was buried in September 1679 in St. Michael’s, Barbados. Richard Sutton owned 106 acres of land, 5 servants, and 60 slaves in Barbados in 1679. Other early settlers in colonial America bearing this surname include Symon Sutton (New England 1634), George Sutton (Boston 1634), John Sutton (Virginia 1703), Timothy Sutton (1705), Richard Sutton (Torbay 1709), and Alexander Sutton (Virginia 1713). In Canada, one of the first settlers bearing this last name was John Sutton, who came to Nova Scotia in 1750. In Australia, one of the earliest bearers was Richard Sutton, a convict from Essex, England who came aboard the Almorah in 1817, living in New South Wales, then a penal colony. In New Zealand,  John G. Sutton came to Port Nicholson aboard the Jane in 1841.

Early Americans Bearing the Sutton Family Crest
Charles Bolton’s American Armory (1927) Crozier’s General Armory (1904) do not contain any entries for this last name. Matthew’s American Armoury and Bluebook (1907) does not contain one entry: Reverend Joseph Ford Sutton, D.D of New York City, who was born in Hardyston, New Jersey 1827. He was the son of Michael Rodrick Sutton and Elizabeth Forrester. He descended from William Sutton who married Damaris Bishop in Eastham, Massachusetts in 1666. Joseph grated from Rutgers College in 1852 and he was a Chaplain of the 102^nd Regiment of the New York Volunteers. In 1852, he married Elizabeth Storrs, daughter of Horace Holden. In 1866m he married Kate Judson Holden. He lastly married Joanna Bates. He had five children: Horace Holden (1867), Joseph Holden (1869), Daniel Judson (1872), Edward Forrester Holden, and Frederick Judson Holden (1876). Surprisingly, the book does not describe his arms or blazon.

Mottoes
I have identified seven Sutton family mottoes, in Latin and French, translated into English as follows:
1) Pour y parvenir (Strive to attain)
2) Toujours prest (Always ready)
3) Fidelis usque ad mortem (Faithful even unto death)
4) Prend moi tel que je suis (Take me as I am)
5) Tuto, celeriter et jueunde (Safely, speedily, and agreeably) (Sutton of Framlingham)
6) Fide et fortitudine (Faith and fortitude)
7) Live to Live

Grantees
We have 57 coats of arms for the Sutton surname depicted here. These 57 blazons are from Bernard Burke’s book The General Armory of England, Ireland, and Scotland, which was published in 1848. The bottom of this page contains the blazons, and in many instances contains some historical, geographical, and genealogical about where coat of arms was found and who bore it. People with this last name that bore an Sutton Coat of Arms (or mistakenly called the Sutton Family Crest)
1) Sutton, B.D., Rector of St. Mary, Blandford, county Dorset, 1699
2) Sir Robert Sutton, K.B., 27 May 1725, Baronet
3) Daniel Sutton of London, Framlingham Earl, county Norfolk, and Kenton, county Suffolk, England, 23 August 1767
4) Sir Thomas (Manners-), Knight, Baron Manners, 1807, county Lincolsnshire, England
5) Sir Charles Sutton-Manners, G.C.B, 1883, 1^st Viscount Canterbury, 10 March 1835
6) Rear Admiral Samuel Sutton of Sereveton, county Nottingham, England, 1815
7) of Deal, county Kent, and Half Moon Street, London, 1822(?)
8) Sutton, late Hutchinson, G.W. of Stockon, county Durham, 1823
9) Sutton after Hunning, O.G, Commander, Royal Navy, of Hampshire and Nottingham
10) Henry Sutton of Lincoln’s Inn, London, 1894
11) Frank Hay Chapman Sutton-Nelthorpe, Royal Navy, of Seawby Hall, county Lincolnshire, 1884
12) Marin John Sutton, son of Marin Hooe, of Henley Park, county Oxfordshire, England

Notables
There are hundreds of notable people with the Sutton surname. This page will mention a handful. Famous people with this last name include: 1) Air Marshal Sir Bertine Entwisle Sutton (1886-1946) who was a pilot in the First World War and a senior officer in the Royal Air Force for nearly two decades after, born in Kensington, London, 2) Joseph William Sutton (1844-1914) who was an Australian investor, engineer, and shipbuilder born in Stepney, London, who was a pioneer in the field of X-rays, 3) Walter Stanborough Sutton, an American doctor and geneticist born in Utica, New York who is known for his work on application of Mendelian inheritance laws to chromosomes at the cellular level, 4) Samuel Sutton (1760-1832) who was an officer in the Royal Navy of Britain who served in the American War of Independence and Napoleonic War, having been born in Scarborough, North Yorkshire, England, 5) Donald Howard Sutton (1945) who was a pitcher in the MLB from 1966-1988, playing for six different teams including the Los Angeles Dodgers, born in Clio, Alabama, 6) Andrew Cameron Sutton (1975) who is a retired Canadian hockey player who played seven different NHL teams from 1998-2012, born in London, Ontario, 7) Valerie Sutton (1951) who is a dancer and developer of movement notation born from Manhattan, NYC, 8) Laurie S. Sutton (1953) and American writer of comics (worked for DC and Marvel in the 1980s) and children’s book who was born in Woodbury, New Jersey, 9) Len Sutton (1925-2006) who was an American race car driver from Portland, Oregon who finished second in the 1962 Indianapolis 500, and 10) Crystal Lee Sutton (1940-2009) who was an American union organizer born in Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina.

Blazons & Genealogy Notes