Marcine's Genealogy

Luttrell - Littrell

Luttrell/L'uttrell:  English and Irish (of Norman origin): from a diminutive of Old French loutre 'otter' (from Latin lutra), applied as a nickname for someone thought to resemble an otter, or a metonymic occupational name for someone who hunted otters (for their pelts). But others believe the name could have been derived from Lutterell, a place in Normandy. Also known as an occupation:  One who played and made a Lute (also French).^{1, 2}

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⁽¹⁾House of Names Website
⁽²⁾Dictionary of American family namesby Patrick Hanks, Oxford University Press, Oxford, UK; New York, 2003 Volume 2, Page 477.

From The Hall of Names, London, England¹
The Ancient History of the Distinguished Surname Lutterell

The ancient chronicles of England reveal the early records of the name Lutterell as a Norman surname which ranks as one of the oldest.  The history of the name is closely interwoven within the majestic tapestry as an intrinsic part of the history of Britain.

In-depth research by skilled analysts into ancient manuscripts such as the Domesday Book (compiled in 1086 by William the Conqueror), the Ragman Rolls, the Wace poem, the Honour Roll of the Battel Abbey, the Curia Regis, Pipe Rolls, the Falaise Roll, tax records, baptismals, family genealogies, local parish and church records, shows the first record of the name Luttrell was found in Yorkshire where they were seated from very early times and were granted lands by Duke William of Normandy, their liege Lord, for their distinguished assistance at the Battle of Hastings in 1066 A.D.

Many alternate spellings were found in the archives researched, typically linked to a common root, usually one of the Norman nobles at the Battle of Hastings. Although your name, Lutterell, appeared in many references, from time to time the surname included Luttrell, Loteral, Lutteral, Lutterall, Lutterell, and those changes in spelling frequently occurred, even between father and son. Scribes recorded and spelled the name as it sounded. Typically a person would be born with one spelling, married with another, and buried with a headstone which showed another.  All three spellings related to the same person.   Sometimes preferences for different spelling variations either resulted from a branch preference, religious affiliation, or sometimes nationalistic statements.

The family name Luttrell is believed to be descended originally fromthe Norman race, frequently but mistakenly assumed to be of French origin.  They were more accurately of Viking origin.   The Vikings landed in the Orkneys and Northern Scotland around the year 870 A.D., under their King, Stirgud the Stout.  Thorfinn Rollo, his descendant landed in northern France about the year 910 A.D.  The French King, Charles the Simple, after Rollo laid siege to Paris, finally conceded defeat and granted northern France to Rollo. Rollo became the first Duke of Normandy, the territory of the north men. Rollo married Charles' daughter and became a convert to Christianity. Duke William who invaded and defeated England in 1066, was descended from the first Duke Rollo of Normandy.

Duke William took census of most of England in 1086, and recorded it in the Domesday Book. A family name capable of being traced back to this manuscript, or to Hastings, was a signal honour for most families during the middle ages, and even to this day.

The surname Lutterell emerged as a notable family name in the county of Yorkshire where they were recorded as a family of great antiquity and were granted many manors and estates in that shire, including the main stem of Hoton-Pagnel. They were originally from Louderveille in Normandy. Their original estates were forfeited by Richard I but subsequently they were granted Dunster Castle in Somerset. Sir Geoffrey Luttrell accompanied King John into Ireland and settled at Luttrellstown in Dublin. In lateryears they became the Earls of Carhampton, and also acquired the estates of Four Oaks in Warwickshire.  Prominent amongst the family at this time was Sir John Luttrell who took the Queen of Scotland prisoner on the field of battle.

The surname Lutterell contributed much to the local politics and in the affairs of England or Scotland.   During the 11th and 12th centuries many of these Norman families moved north to Scotland.  Later, in the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries England was ravaged by religious and political conflict.  The Monarchy, the Church and Parliament fought for supremacy.  Religious elements vied for control, the State Church, the Roman Church and the Reform Church.  All, in their time, made demands on rich and poor alike.   They broke the spirit of men and many turned from religion, or alternatively, renewed their faith, pursuing with vigour and ferocity, the letter of the ecclesiastical law. Many families were freely "encouraged" to migrate to Ireland, or to the "colonies." Nonbelievers or dissidents were banished, sometimes even hanged.

The settlers of Ireland became known as the "Adventurers for land in Ireland." They undertook to keep the Protestant faith. In Ireland they settled in Dublin.

The democratic attitudes of the New World spread like wildfire. Many migrated aboard the fleet of sailing ships known as the "White Sails." The stormy Atlantic, small pox, dysentery, cholera and typhoid took its toll on the settlers and many of these tiny, overcrowded ships arrived with only 60 or 70% of their passenger list. The migration or banishment to the New World continued, some voluntarily from Ireland, but mostly directly from England or Scotland, their home territories. Some clans and families even moved to the European continent.

In North America, migrants which could be considered kinsman of the family name Lutterell, or James Luttrell settled in New England in 1759; Lawrence Luttrell settled in Philadelphia in 1832 along with Henry. From the port of arrival, many settlers joined the wagon trains westward. During the American War of Independence some declared their loyalty to the Crown and moved northward into Canada and became known as the United Empire Loyalists.

There were many notables of this name Lutterell, Colonel Luttrell, Vice Lt. of Somerset.

In the process of researching this distinguished family name we also traced the most ancient grant of Arms from the branches which developed their own Arms.

The most ancient grant of a Coat of Arms found was: Gold with a diagonal black stripe between six black birds.

The crest was:  A silver boar. The ancient family Motto for this distinguished names was: "Quaesita Marte Tuenda Arte"
"The mind surrendered to the skill of War."

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