mysteries, contradictions, & controversies about Luttrell history and genealogy
THE LUTTRELLS IN ENGLAND
The Luttrells of England can
be traced back to one
Sir Geoffrey Luttrell who was a close supporter of King John both before and after he ascended to
the throne. Geoffrey possessed property at Gamston and Bridgeford in Nottinghamshire and at Saltby in Leicestershire in the late 12th century. The property was confiscated because of his participation in the unsuccessful rebellion of John against his brother, Richard the First. However, this property was returned once John attained the throne.
For several years in the early 13th century, Geoffrey served as one of King John's favorite ministers. He was sent by John on multiple occasions to Ireland on matters of state. He accompanied John to Ireland in the summer of 1210 serving as the Paymaster for the King's Navy. In 1215 Sir Geoffrey, along with the Archbishops of Bordeaux and Dublin, was sent by the King to meet with the Pope regarding the recently negotiated Magna Carta. There is some question as to Geoffrey's allegiance to the King's position against the "Great Charter of English Liberties". Sir Geoffrey
is listed as one of the barons present at the signing of Magna Carta in 1215 "in opposition" to the King.It is believed that Sir Geoffrey did not survive the return trip from Rome in 1215 or 1216.
Although Sir Geoffrey was rewarded with several properties for his services to King John, the bulk of his estate was achieved through his marriage to the heiress Frethesant Paynell. The manor in East Quantockshead, Somerset, is still occupied by his descendants. The great castle at Dunster was occupied for over 600 years by his descendants. It was Sir Geoffrey Luttrell's great-great-grandson, also named Geoffrey, for whom the "Luttrell Psalter" was written in the 13th century.
presently the home of Lt.-Colonel Walter Luttrell, MC, the lineal descendant of Sir Andrew Luttrell and therefore of Ralph Paynell to whom the manor had been granted by William the Conqueror.
Geoffrey Luttrell (d.abt 1216) is the first documented Luttrell in England. Claims for the following, found online, are erroneous or made without any source material whatever.
abt. 1150, co-founder of Croxton Abbey, near Melton, Leicestershire
This is a mistake. Croxton Abbey was given to Sir Andrew's father, Sir Geoffrey, by King John in the sixth year of his reign (1205). It previously had been held by Hugh le Porter.
The following, along with claims of their ancestors and/or descendants prior to Sir Geoffrey Luttrell, are found on many online sites, but always without any source material, or any other legitimate historical references.
Anston de Lutterell
(b. 1041 in Normandy, France),
Ludgson Lutro
(b. abt 787, Norway)
This page was last updated on: July 5, 2025
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Pedigrees of the Luttrells of England
(from Dunster and Its Lords, by H. C. Maxwell Lyte)
