Sutton

Some believe the points of the compass played a part in the selection of this particular surname during medieval times. Sutton is ostensibly a local surname, and is derived from either ‘a southern/south-facing farm’, or ‘to the south of the farm or village’. It can often be a settlement that is situated to the south of a larger one. Almost every English county has a place name with the prefix Sutton – Sutton Coldfield in Warwickshire, or Sutton Montis in Somerset. It is from the Anglo-Saxon words, ‘sudh’, meaning south, and ‘tun’, meaning town.

The name of Ketel de Suttune appeared in the Domesday Book of Lincolnshire, England in 1086, while Alnod Suttune was recorded the same year in Cambridge. Records also exist for a Johannes de Sutton in York, in 1379.

The surname Sutton emerged as a notable family name in the county of Nottingham. Many junior branches of this prolific family acquired many estates, during the medieval period, including Norwood Park, Scofton, West Retford, Kelham and Averham in Nottingham. Among the offices held were the Archbishop of Canterbury, Lord High Chancellor of Ireland and Speaker of the House of Commons. Outstanding among the family at this time was Hervey of Sutton, first Lord of Sutton upon Trent.

Although the name is nationwide, the main centres for the Sutton surname are Cheshire, Lancashire, Derbyshire and parts of Norfolk and Wiltshire.

Aside from the forementioned public figures, most noteable was Sir Richard Sutton, a co-founder of Brasenose College, Oxford (date of birth unknown; d. September or October, 1524).



Name Variations:  Suton, Sutton, Suttone.

References:
One or more of the following publications has been referenced for this article.
The General Armory; Sir Bernard Burke - 1842.
A Handbook of Mottoes; C.N. Elvin - 1860.
English Surnames; C.M. Matthews - 1966.
A Dictionary of English Surnames; P.H. Reaney - 1958.

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