[Illustration] Sutton-upon-Trent gave name to this ancient family,
the first upon record being Roland, son of Hervey, who lived in the
reign of Henry III., and married Alice, daughter and coheiress of
Richard de Lexington. From this match came the manor of Averham or
Egram in this county, which long continued the seat and residence of
the Suttons, who were represented in the days of Queen Elizabeth by
Sir William Sutton, whom her Majesty coupled, not in the most
complimentary manner, with three other eminent Nottinghamshire
knights in the following distich:--
"Gervase the gentle,* Stanhope the stout,
Markham the lion, and _Sutton the lout_."
In 1646, Robert Sutton, the head of this family, was raised to the
Peerage as Baron Lexington, extinct 1723, who is represented in the
female line by Viscount Canterbury. The present family descend from
Henry, younger brother of the first Lord Lexington.
See Thoroton's Nottinghamshire, pp. 327, 359; and Courthope's
Debrett's Baronetage, p. 195.
ARMS.--_Argent, a canton sable_.
Present Representative, Sir John Sutton, 3rd Baronet.
* _i.e._ Sir Gervase Clifton.