Dutton.
I Find this Town of Dutton thrice named in Doomsday-book, as held then in the Con∣queror's time by three Persons. One Part Odard held immediately of the Earl of Chester, as it were in Capite: Another Part was held by William Fitz-Nigell Baron of Halton, of the Earl, in like manner: Another Part did Osberne Son of Tezzon, Ance∣stor to the Boydells of Dodleston, hold also of the Earl of Chester.
Odard's Part seems to be the greatest Part, which one Ravene held before at the com∣ing in of the Normans. The Baron of Halton's Part, and Osbern's Part, one Edward held before, and did then likewise hold Osbern's Part under the said Osbern.
But both Osbern's Part, and the Baron of Halton's Part, at last came to the Posterity of Odard:* 1.1 For Osbern's Part was sold by his Heir Sir William Boydell, who released all his Seignory unto Thomas Son of Hugh Dutton of Dutton, in all the Lands which the said Thomas held of him in Dutton, 15 Edw. 3. 1341. Lib. C. fol. 158. b.
As to the Baron of Halton's Part, John Constable of Cheshre, Baron of Halton, gave to Adam de Dutton (younger Son of Hugh Dutton of Dutton, and Ancestor to Warburton of Arley) those four Oxgangs of Land in Dutton, which Walter Heron held: This was about the end of the Reign of Henry the Second: Lib. C. fol. 140. And Sir Geffrey de Warburton releaseth all his Right unto Thomas Son of Hugh de Dutton aforesaid, in all those Lands in Dutton which the said Thomas held by Lease from the said Sir Geffrey: Dated at Dutton 28 Edw. 3. 1354. Lib. C. fol. 158. c. So that Thomas de Dutton was now invested in the whole Town of Dutton entirely.
This Township in the ancient Record of Doomsday-book is written [Duntune]: Dun in the old Saxon Language signifies A Hill, for which we now use the word Down: So that Duntune signifies as much as A Town upon a Hill or Down; now contracted to Dutton.
From this Town did the ancient Family of the Duttons assume their Sir-name: For Odard being seated here in the Conqueror's Time, his Posterity were sir-named de Dutton from the Place of their Residence; where they have continued ever since to this pre∣sent 1666. about 600 Years: A Family of great Worth and Antiquity, and as it were almost a constant Succession of Knights; but now, alas! ready to change its Name, being devolved by a Daughter and Heir unto the Lord Gerard of Gerards-Bromley in Staffordshire.
Out of this Family branched out the Warburtons of Arley under Henry the Second, and retained their proper Sir-name of Dutton, till Peter Dutton seating himself at War∣burton towards the end of Edward the First, his Posterity under Edward the Second were stiled de Warburton, and have ever since wholly retained the Sir-name of War∣burton.
* 1.2About the same time of Henry the Second, branched out also Geffrey de Dutton, ano∣ther Son, from whom the Duttons of Chedill in this County; whose Posterity after∣wards assumed the Sir-name of Chedill under Edward the First: And out of this Fa∣mily of Dutton of Chedill, branched out Hamon Dutton, a younger Son, under Edward the First, who assumed the Sir-name of Ashley from the Place of his Residence; whose Posterity wholly retained the Sir-name of Ashley, as you may see more fully in Ashley▪
Besides the Duttons of Hatton nigh Warton in Cheshire, more lately sprung hence, and other Good Families.