Dunster Genealogical Records

Dunster Birth & Baptism Records

England & Wales Birth Index (1837-2006)

An index to births registered throughout England & Wales. Provides a reference to order copies of birth certificates from the national registrar of births, marriages and deaths – the General Register Office.

Early Somerset Baptism Transcripts (1597-1700)

Transcriptions of 255 parish baptism registers. They list children, their parents' names, residences, occupations and sometimes other details.

Wells Diocese Bishop's Transcripts (1594-1695)

Transcriptions of copies of parish registers that were compiled for the Bishop of Wells.

British Birth and Baptism Records (1400-2010)

A collection of indexes and transcripts of birth and baptism records that cover over 250 million people. Includes digital images of many records.

FreeBMD Births (1837-1957)

An index to births registered at the central authority for England & Wales. The index provides the area where the birth was registered, mother's maiden name from September 1911 and a reference to order a birth certificate.

Dunster Marriage & Divorce Records

England & Wales Marriage Index (1837-2008)

An index to marriages registered throughout England & Wales. This is the only national marriage index that allows you to search by both spouse's names. Provides a reference to order copies of marriage certificates from the national registrar of births, marriages and deaths – the General Register Office.

Dunster Marriage Registers (1559-1836)

An index to marriages in Dunster listing the date of marriage and the names of the bride and groom.

Dunster Marriages (1749-1836)

Brief notes on marriages that occurred at the church between 1749 and 1836.

Dunster Marriages (1559-1865)

An index to marriages recorded by the church, listing the date of marriage and the names of the bride and groom.

Somerset Marriages Index (1650-1935)

An index of 369,186 Somerset marriages. Condition and residence may be included.

Dunster Death & Burial Records

England & Wales Death Index (1837-2006)

An index to deaths registered throughout England & Wales. Provides a reference to order copies of death certificates from the national registrar of births, marriages and deaths – the General Register Office.

Dunster Monumental Inscriptions (1493-1886)

Vital details extracted from tombstones and other monuments.

St George, Dunster Burial Records (1595-1864)

An index of burials recorded at St George, Dunster_. The index includes the name of the deceased, the date of burial, age (where available) and occasionally other notes.

Alcombe Quaker Burial Ground, Dunster Burial Records (1741-1813)

An index to burials recorded in the registers of a Quaker church. The index contains the name of the deceased, the date of their burial and their age where available.

Early Somerset Burial Transcripts (1597-1700)

Transcriptions of around half the parish burial registers for Somerset. They list the name of the deceased, the date of their death and/or burial and sometimes other details, such as age and occupation.

Dunster Census & Population Lists

1939 Register (1939)

An index to and digital images of records that detail 40 million civilians in England and Wales. Records list name, date of birth, address, marital status, occupation and details of trade or profession.

England, Wales, IoM & Channel Islands 1911 Census (1911)

The 1911 census provides details on an individual's age, residence, place of birth, relations and occupation. FindMyPast's index allows searches on for multiple metrics including occupation and residence.

Hearth Tax for Somerset (1664-1665)

A transcription of records naming those who had taxes levied against them for the privilege of owning a hearth.

Somerset Electoral Registers (1832-1914)

Digital images of books the list people eligible to vote in Somerset. Includes addresses and nature of that address.

Somerset Certificates of Muster (1569)

An early census of men able to serve in the militia.

Newspapers Covering Dunster

Taunton Courier and Western Advertiser (1820-1950)

Fully text-searchable articles from a local newspaper covering the Taunton district. It includes family announcements, obituaries, court proceedings, business notices and more.

Western Morning News (1894-1950)

A politically independent newspaper, covering the affairs of Dorset, Devon, Cornwall and Somerset. It includes family notices.

Weekly Mail (1879-1910)

A weekly newspaper that circulated through Wales and parts of Somerset and Gloucestershire. It published general news, literature, commentary, family notices, adverts etc. Each edition has been indexed and digitised.

Western Gazette (1863-1950)

A regional newspaper covering the counties of Somerset, Dorset, Wiltshire Hampshire and Berkshire. It covers local and national news, family announcements, business news, legal proceedings and more.

Western Daily Press (1858-1949)

A regional newspaper covering the counties of Gloucestershire, Somerset and Wiltshire. It covers local and national news, family announcements, business news, legal proceedings and more.

Dunster Wills & Probate Records

England & Wales National Probate Calendar (1858-1966)

Searchable index and original images of over 12.5 million probates and administrations granted by civil registries. Entries usually include the testator's name, date of death, date of probate and registry. Names of relations may be given.

Devon Wills Index (1163-1999)

An index to 295,609 wills of people who lived in or were connected to Devon. The wills they reference can contain a great deal of genealogical information.

Somerset Medieval Will Abstracts (1385-1558)

Summaries of 1,616 wills that may detail family relationships, land ownership and other details.

Prerogative Court of Canterbury Admon Index (1559-1660)

An index to estate administrations performed by the Prerogative Court of Canterbury. The index covers the southern two thirds of England & Wales, but may also contain entries for northerners.

Archdeaconry of Taunton Wills & Administrations (1537-1799)

A calendar to wills and admons granted by the Archdeaconry of Leicester. Contains year of the grant, name and residence.

Dunster Immigration & Travel Records

Passenger Lists Leaving UK (1890-1960)

A name index connected to original images of passenger lists recording people travelling from Britain to destinations outside Europe. Records may detail a passenger's age or date of birth, residence, occupation, destination and more.

UK Incoming Passenger Lists (1878-1960)

A full index of passenger lists for vessels arriving in the UK linked to original images. Does not include lists from vessels sailing from European ports. Early entries can be brief, but later entries may include dates of births, occupations, home addresses and more. Useful for documenting immigration.

Victoria Assisted & Unassisted Passenger Lists (1839-1923)

An index to and images of documents recording over 1.65 million passengers who arrived in Victoria, Australia, including passengers whose voyage was paid for by others.

Alien Arrivals in England (1810-1869)

Details on over 600,000 non-British citizens arriving in England. Often includes age and professions. Useful for discerning the origin of immigrants.

17th Century British Emigrants to the U.S. (1600-1700)

Details on thousands of 17th century British immigrants to the U.S., detailing their origins and nature of their immigration.

Dunster Military Records

Memorial Book of Somerset (1914-1919)

An index to almost 11,000 men connected with Somerset who died during WWI.

Somerset Certificates of Muster (1569)

An early census of men able to serve in the militia.

2nd Somersetshire Regiment History (1801-1815)

A history of the regiment in the run-up to and during the Napoleonic Wars.

Somerset WWI Memorials (1914-1918)

A list of names found on World War One monuments in Somerset, with some service details.

Somerset WWII Memorials (1914-1918)

A list of names found on World War Two monuments in Somerset, with some service details.

Manuscripts of the Dean & Chapter of Wells (1100-1799)

A collection of charters, writs, letters, conveyances and other records from the Dean & Chapter of Wells.

Somerset Inquests (1790-1825)

Transcripts of a large number of records detailing investigations into deaths.

Act Books of the Archbishops of Canterbury (1663-1859)

An index to names and places mentioned in act books of the Province of Canterbury. It records various licences and conferments, such as marriage and physician licences.

Home Office Prison Calendars (1868-1929)

Records of over 300,000 prisoners held by quarter sessions in England & Wales. Records may contain age, occupation, criminal history, offence and trial proceedings.

Central Criminal Court After-trial Calendars (1855-1931)

Over 175,000 records detailing prisoner's alleged offences and the outcome of their trial. Contains genealogical information.

Dunster Taxation Records

Hearth Tax for Somerset (1664-1665)

A transcription of records naming those who had taxes levied against them for the privilege of owning a hearth.

Tithe Apportionments (1836-1856)

An index to 11,000,000 parcels of land and property, connected to digital images of registers that record their owner, occupier, description, agricultural use, size and rateable value.

Land Tax Redemption (1798-1811)

This vital collection details almost 1.2 million properties eligible for land tax. Records include the name of the landowner, occupier, amount assessed and sometimes the name and/or description of the property. It is a useful starting point for locating relevant estate records and establishing the succession of tenancies and freehold. Most records cover 1798, but some extend up to 1811.

Duties Paid for Apprentices' Indentures (1710-1811)

An index linked to original images of registers recording apprenticeship indentures. Details are given on the trade and nature of apprenticeship. Many records list the parents of the apprentice.

Red Book of the Exchequer (1066-1230)

A compilation of records from the Court of the Exchequer primarily dealing with taxes and land. These records are in Latin.

Dunster Land & Property Records

Manuscripts of the Dean & Chapter of Wells (1100-1799)

A collection of charters, writs, letters, conveyances and other records from the Dean & Chapter of Wells.

Tithe Apportionments (1836-1856)

An index to 11,000,000 parcels of land and property, connected to digital images of registers that record their owner, occupier, description, agricultural use, size and rateable value.

Land Tax Redemption (1798-1811)

This vital collection details almost 1.2 million properties eligible for land tax. Records include the name of the landowner, occupier, amount assessed and sometimes the name and/or description of the property. It is a useful starting point for locating relevant estate records and establishing the succession of tenancies and freehold. Most records cover 1798, but some extend up to 1811.

UK Poll Books and Electoral Rolls (1538-1893)

Poll books record the names of voters and the direction of their vote. Until 1872 only landholders could vote, so not everyone will be listed. Useful for discerning an ancestor's political leanings and landholdings. The collection is supplemented with other records relating to the vote.

Calendar of Inquisitions Post Mortem (1236-1291)

Abstracts of records detailing the estates and families of deceased tenants from the reigns of Henry III and Edward I.

Dunster Directories & Gazetteers

Kelly's Directory of Somerset (1939)

An exhaustive gazetteer, containing details of settlement's history, governance, churches, postal services, public institutions and more. Also contains lists of residents with their occupation and address.

Kelly's Directory of Somerset (1935)

A comprehensive place-by-place gazetteer, listing key contemporary and historical facts. Each place has a list of residents and businesses. Contains details on local schools, churches, government and other institutions.

Kelly's Directory of Somerset (1923)

A comprehensive place-by-place gazetteer, listing key contemporary and historical facts. Each place has a list of residents and businesses. Contains details on local schools, churches, government and other institutions.

Kelly's Directory of Somerset (1919)

A comprehensive place-by-place gazetteer, listing key contemporary and historical facts. Each place has a list of residents and businesses. Contains details on local schools, churches, government and other institutions.

Kelly's Directory of Somerset (1914)

A comprehensive place-by-place gazetteer, listing key historical and contemporary facts. Contains details on local schools, churches, government and other institutions. Also contains a list of residents and businesses for each place.

Dunster Cemeteries

Dunster Monumental Inscriptions (1493-1886)

Vital details extracted from tombstones and other monuments.

Somerset Monumental Inscriptions (1600-2000)

An index to vital details engraved on over 100,000 monuments across the county of Somerset.

Somerset Church Monuments (1300-1900)

Photographs and descriptions of Somerset's most illustrious church monuments, often featuring effigies, medieval inscriptions and heraldic devices.

Deceased Online (1629-Present)

Images of millions of pages from cemetery and crematoria registers, photographs of memorials, cemetery plans and more. Records can be search by a name index.

Billion Graves (1200-Present)

Photographs and transcriptions of millions of gravestones from cemeteries around the world.

Dunster Obituaries

iAnnounce Obituaries (2006-Present)

The UKs largest repository of obituaries, containing millions of searchable notices.

United Kingdom and Ireland Obituary Collection (1882-Present)

A growing collection currently containing over 425,000 abstracts of obituaries with reference to the location of the full obituary.

Quakers Annual Monitor (1847-1848)

A collection of 364 obituaries of Quakers from the British Isles. The volume was published in 1849 and includes obituaries of those who died in late 1847 through 1848.

Musgrave's Obituaries (1421-1800)

This transcribed and searchable work by Sir William Musgrave contains 10,000s of brief obituaries. The work is a reference point for other works containing information on an individual.

British Medical Journal (1849-Present)

A text index and digital images of all editions of a journal containing medical articles and obituaries of medical practitioners.

Dunster Histories & Books

Notes and Queries for Somerset and Dorset (1888-1906)

Selected issues of a periodical which contains many historical and genealogical tracts relating to the counties of Somerset and Dorset.

Catholic History in South West England (1517-1856)

A history of Catholicism in South West England with biographies of noted Catholics. Contains details of the Dominican, Benedictine, and Franciscan orders.

Victoria County History: Somerset (1086-1900)

A detailed history of the county's hundreds, parishes and religious houses.

Somerset Church Photographs (1890-Present)

Photographs and images of churches in Somerset.

Somerset Turnpikes (1707-Present)

A history of turnpikes and tollhouses in Somerset. Includes profiles of individual turnpikes.

Dunster School & Education Records

National School Admission & Log Books (1870-1914)

A name index connected to digital images of registers recording millions of children educated in schools operated by the National Society for Promoting Religious Education. Records contain a variety of information including genealogical details, education history, illnesses, exam result, fathers occupation and more.

Teacher's Registration Council Registers (1870-1948)

A name index linked to original images of registers recording the education and careers of teachers in England & Wales.

Oxford University Alumni (1500-1886)

A name index linked to original images of short biographies for over 120,000 Oxford University students. This is a particularly useful source for tracing the ancestry of the landed gentry.

Cambridge University Alumni (1261-1900)

A transcript of a vast scholarly work briefly chronicling the heritage, education and careers of over 150,000 Cambridge University students. This is a particularly useful source for tracing the ancestry of the landed gentry.

Cambridge Alumni Database (1198-1910)

A searchable database containing over 90,000 note-form biographies for students of Cambridge University.

Dunster Occupation & Business Records

Somerset Parish Apprentice Indentures (1575-1800)

Abstracts of apprenticeship indentures initiated by parishes in Somerset. These records provide details on parents' names and occupations.

Smuggling on the West Coast (1690-1867)

An introduction to smuggling on the west coast of Britain & the Isle of Man, with details of the act in various regions.

Somerset Pub Histories (1820-Present)

Histories of Somerset pubs, with photographs and lists of owners or operators.

South England Mines Index (1896)

Profiles of coal and metal mines in the south of England.

West Country Police in Glamorgan (1839-1901)

An index of Glamorgan police officers who came from the West Country.

Pedigrees & Family Trees Covering Dunster

The Visitation of the County of Somerset (1623)

Pedigrees of Somerset gentry families, including depictions of their arms. The book also contains some biographical information.

Victoria County History: Somerset (1086-1900)

A detailed history of the county's hundreds, parishes and religious houses.

British & Irish Royal & Noble Genealogies (491-1603)

Extensive and impeccably sourced genealogies for British, Irish & Manx royalty and nobility. Scroll down to 'British Isles' for relevant sections.

FamilySearch Community Trees (6000 BC-Present)

A searchable database of linked genealogies compiled from thousands of reputable and not-so-reputable sources. Contains many details on European gentry & nobility, but covers many countries outside Europe and people from all walks of life.

Debrett's Peerage (1923)

A searchable book, listing pedigrees of titled families and biographies of their members.

Dunster Royalty, Nobility & Heraldry Records

The Visitation of the County of Somerset (1623)

Pedigrees of Somerset gentry families, including depictions of their arms. The book also contains some biographical information.

Victoria County History: Somerset (1086-1900)

A detailed history of the county's hundreds, parishes and religious houses.

Somerset Church Monuments (1300-1900)

Photographs and descriptions of Somerset's most illustrious church monuments, often featuring effigies, medieval inscriptions and heraldic devices.

British & Irish Royal & Noble Genealogies (491-1603)

Extensive and impeccably sourced genealogies for British, Irish & Manx royalty and nobility. Scroll down to 'British Isles' for relevant sections.

FamilySearch Community Trees (6000 BC-Present)

A searchable database of linked genealogies compiled from thousands of reputable and not-so-reputable sources. Contains many details on European gentry & nobility, but covers many countries outside Europe and people from all walks of life.

Dunster Church Records

Manuscripts of the Dean & Chapter of Wells (1100-1799)

A collection of charters, writs, letters, conveyances and other records from the Dean & Chapter of Wells.

Somerset Parish Apprentice Indentures (1575-1800)

Abstracts of apprenticeship indentures initiated by parishes in Somerset. These records provide details on parents' names and occupations.

Catholic History in South West England (1517-1856)

A history of Catholicism in South West England with biographies of noted Catholics. Contains details of the Dominican, Benedictine, and Franciscan orders.

Somerset Parish Register Transcripts (1538-1956)

Transcriptions of registers that record baptisms, which typically occur shortly after birth; marriages and burials. They can help establish links between individuals back to the 16th century.

Somerset Monumental Inscriptions (1582-2005)

An index to vital details engraved on over 25,000 monuments across the county of Somerset.

Biographical Directories Covering Dunster

Somerset Worthies, Unworthies & Villains (1500-1900)

Brief biographies of thousands of notable Somerset men.

Debrett's Peerage (1923)

A searchable book, listing pedigrees of titled families and biographies of their members.

Dod's Peerage, Baronetage & Knightage of Britian (1902)

A book containing genealogies and biographies of Britain's titled families.

Dod's Peerage, Baronetage & Knightage of Britian (1885)

A book containing genealogies and biographies of Britain's titled families.

Crockford's Clerical Directories (1868-1914)

Brief biographies of Anglican clergy in the UK.

Dunster Maps

Maps of Somerset (1607-1902)

Digital images of maps covering the county.

UK Popular Edition Maps (1919-1926)

Detailed maps covering much of the UK. They depict forests, mountains, larger farms, roads, railroads, towns, and more.

Ordnance Survey 1:10 Maps (1840-1890)

Maps showing settlements, features and some buildings in mainland Britain.

Tithe Apportionments (1836-1856)

An index to 11,000,000 parcels of land and property, connected to digital images of registers that record their owner, occupier, description, agricultural use, size and rateable value.

Parish Maps of Britain (1832)

Maps of parishes in England, Scotland and Wales. They are useful in determining which parish records may be relevant to your research.

Dunster Reference Works

England Research Guide (1538-Present)

A beginner’s guide to researching ancestry in England.

Parish Register Abstract (1538-1812)

Compiled in 1831, this book details the coverage and condition of parish registers in England & Wales.

Building History Research Guide (1066-Present)

A comprehensive guide to researching the history of buildings in the British Isles.

Surname Origins (1790-1911)

A service that provides advanced and custom surname maps for the British Isles and the US.

British Family Mottoes (1189-Present)

A dictionary of around 9,000 mottoes for British families who had right to bear arms.

Historical Description

Dunster, an agreeable town, pleasantly situated upon the Bristol Channel, on the margin of a rich and fertile vale. It is a place of great antiquity, and had a castle during the time of the Saxons, which William the Conqueror gave to Sir William de Mohun, from whose family, by the marriage of an heiress, it came to that of the Lutterels. From the castle it was originally called Torre, a fortified town; but since Dunstorre, the additional word, Duns, implying a ridge of mountains stretching. This castle, which was one of the most magnificent in the West of England, was situated on a delightful spot, afford, ing a prospect above two miles in length, bounded by the sea. It sustained material damage during the Civil Wars in the reign of Charles I., for, having been garrisoned by that unfortunate prince, it was besieged by General Blake, who took it for the Parliament, and afterwards demolished great part of its fortifications. Little remains at present except two wings, which still convey some faint idea of its grandeur. This castle was remarkable for being the prison of Mr. Prynne, who, in the reign of Charles I., wrote "Historimastix," wherein he condemned all sorts of theatrical representations. For this offence he was brought before the Court of Star-Chamber, had his ears cut off at two different times, besides being severely whipped, and was twice exposed on the pillory. —We cannot help observing here, that, from the strange fluctuation in human affairs, it frequently happens, that the man who is the oppressor to-day becomes the sufferer to-morrow. Thus, we are told, that when Laud, the archbishop, and president of the court, pronounced the cruel sentence on Mr. Prynne, he took off his cap, and gave glory to God. It was but a few years after, when Prynne was released by order of the Long Parliament, and appointed keeper of the records of the tower, where he saw his merciless persecutor suffer an ignominious death by the hands of the common executioner, and afterwards published an account of his trial.

The only building worthy of notice in Dunster is the Church. It is in the shape of a cathedral, having a stately tower, standing on four pillars, in the middle of the cross. It was built by Henry VII. Near it are the remains of the Abbey, which was founded for monks of the Benedictine order.

The trade of this town consists in the manufacture of kerseys, which are sold to the merchants of Bristol, and by them exported to various parts of the continent.

Dunster has a weekly market on Friday, and is distant from London 159 miles.

Topography of Great Britain (1829) by George Alexander Cooke

DUNSTER, a market town and parish and head of a petty sessional division, is on the high road from Minehead to Williton, and bounded on the north by the Bristol channel, with a station on the West Somerset branch of the Great Western railway, and is 22 miles north-west from Taunton, 24 west from Bridgwater, 2 ½ south-east from Minehead and 162 from London, in the Western division of the county, in the hundred of Carhampton, Williton union and county court district, rural deanery of Dunster, archdeaconry of Taunton and diocese of Bath and Wells. The town is supplied with water from Broadwood, conveyed thence by pipes laid down in 1870 by G. F. Luttrell esq. The church of St. George, the eastern portion of which formed the ancient priory church, is a long, low and irregular cruciform building of stone, chiefly in the Perpendicular style, but with some Norman portions and traces of Early English work, and consists of choir of three bays with aisles, transepts and north chantry, nave, aisles with arcades of four bays on the north side and six on the south, south porch and a lofty central embattled tower, 92 feet high, erected in 1477, with diagonal buttresses and slender crocketed pinnacles, and a battlemented stair turret at the north-west angle; in the tower are 8 fine-toned bells and a clock with chimes: the whole structure is about 180 feet in length, and during the later history of the priory comprised two distinct churches, the monastic and the parochial, but up to the end of the 15th century the church appears to have consisted of a Norman nave with aisles, transepts, massive central tower and an aisleless choir; in 1497, in consequence of a dispute between the monks and parishioners as to their respective rights in the church, it was directed by arbitrators that the latter should use the nave, constructing a separate choir within it, and that the former should retain the choir proper and transepts; the new transept thus forming a noble vestibule to the conventual choir, the rood screen of which was erected under the eastern arch of the tower, and aisles of two bays were also then added, and a small chantry erected on the north side: a little to the west of the western arch of the tower a large Norman arch, not now perfect, with lateral masonry, spans the nave and serves as the western limit of the presbytery, which is now beneath the tower: the fine oak rood screen of the old parochial church stretches across the east end of the nave and its aisles, and has 14 arches filled with elaborate tracery, and attached to the south aisle is an octagonal embattled turret containing the rood staircase: the font is Perpendicular: in the monastic church, now claimed as a private chapel of the Luttrells, are several stately monuments to this family and others, including one of alabaster, with recumbent effigies, to Sir Hugh Luttrell kt. ob. 1431, and Catherine (Beaumont), his wife: in the parish church there are memorial windows to Charles Edward Ledward, of Hill Park, Frankby, Cheshire, d. 1875; to Richard Utten Todd, 15 years vicar of Dunster (1872—86), erected by parishioners and friends in 1886, and Mary Ann Todd, d. 1872; Amelia Ann, widow of Sir Alexander Hood bart. of Wootton, d. at Dunster Castle, 1883, erected by her daughter, Anne F. Luttrell; and a number to the Luttrell family (1858—81), including one to Thomas Fownes Luttrell, late vicar, d. 1871: the roof is of oak, finely carved: the church is seated with beautifully carved oak benches: the entire building was restored in 1875—7 under the direction of the late G. E. Street esq. R.A. at a cost of £11,043, and reopened in September, 1876, principally at the expense of G. Fownes Luttrell esq. but partly by subscription, and has 370 sittings. The registers date from the year 1560, but the earliest are not perfect: the churchwardens’ accounts are perfect from 1665. The living is a vicarage, net yearly value £185, with residence, in the gift of George Fownes Luttrell esq. and held since 1899 by the Rev. Frederick Hancock M.A., F.S.A, of Wadham College, Oxford, prebendary of Wells, rural dean of Dunster, and J.P. Somerset. There is a Wesleyan chapel, built of stone in 1878, and seating 250 persons. A cemetery, near the church, two acres in extent, was formed in 1880, and is under the control of the Parish Council of seven members. The old market house, a building of some picturesqueness, was erected by George Luttrell about 1589. The great market and cattle show, held on the first Friday in December, is a very important show for Devon cattle.

A cattle fair is also held here on the first Thursday in September. The County Police station here was erected, with house for the superintendent and sergeant, and a court-house, in 1858. The “Luttrell Arms” hotel is an ancient house, with a good Perpendicular porch, and the rooms have cinque-cento chimney pieces, ornamented ceilings and carvings. A Cottage Hospital was established here in 1867, containing nine beds, and is supported by voluntary contributions; the fees received from visitors for inspecting Dunster Castle grounds are paid to the hospital; the fee is 6d. for tickets, to be obtained any day at the hotel and at the castle gateway.

The Benedictine Priory of St. George was founded here in the time of William I. by Sir William de Mohun, to whom the Conqueror had granted the castle of Dunster, together with 55 manors in this county, and was a cell to Bath Abbey: some portions of the original Norman church exist in the present structure, on the north side of which stood the conventual buildings, but of these little now exist, and owing to the erection of houses on the site any examination of it is nearly impossible: at the north-west angle of the church are traces of a cloister, and adjoining this is a building which retains a square-headed Perpendicular window and may have been the residence of the prior: in the farm buildings north of the church stands the priory dove-cot, with a mediaeval door, and a wooden almonry and barn also remain; the revenues at the Dissolution were estimated at £37, there being then four monks only. On Conegar Hill, at the other end of the town, a shell tower was built by a former member of the Luttrell family in the 18th century: it is now covered with ivy, and being on the summit of this steep hill, and surrounded by woodland, has a most picturesque appearance from every point of view, and serves as a landmark to navigators of the Bristol channel.

Dunster Castle, the seat of George Fownes Luttrell esq. D.L., J.P. is a fortress of very considerable antiquity, and was formerly a military post of importance; the hill or tor on which it is situated forms the north-east extremity of a lofty ridge, from which, however, it stands detached; to the east stretches the park, a fine tract of meadow land about a mile in width, through which, skirting the foot of the hills, flows the stream of the Avill; the town lies on the west side: the history of the castle dates from the time of the Domesday Survey, when it was held by William de Moion, or Mohun, and it had previously been the stronghold of Aluric in the reign of the Confessor: in the reign of Stephen it was held by William de Mohun (d. 1165) for the Empress Matilda, who is said to have created him Earl of Dorset: the wall and towers defending the lower ward, the bases of which remain, were built in the latter half of the 13th century: on the death of John, 2nd and last Baron de Mohun, about 1376, the castle and estates were sold by his widow Joane (Burghersh) to Elizabeth (Courtenay) widow of Sir Andrew Luttiell kt. of Chilton, in this county, to whose descendants the castle has since belonged, and the greater part of the structure as it now stands is the work of Sir Hugh Luttrell and his successors: during the Civil war the Luttrells took a neutral part, but the castle was occupied by the king’s forces under Col. Wyndham in 1643, and in 1646 was besieged by Blake, who forced its surrender in April of that year, and a part of the fortifications was thereupon dismantled: the castle precincts form an irregular oval, naturally divided into two wards; the upper or south ward contains the summit of the hill, on which stood the polygonal keep, not now existing; the area, about 70 yards in length from north to south, by 35 yards wide, is now a bowling green, and has a summer-house at the north-east with a Perpendicular window: the north or lower ward is about 126 yards in length from northeast to south-west, with a mean width of 33 yards, and has an area of about half an acre: the present castle stands at the extreme north-east quarter, upon the curtain wall, and occupies generally the site of the domestic buildings of the ancient fortress: the principal front, which faces south-west, and is embattled throughout, derives considerable picturesque ness from the irregularity of its plan and the varying character of its outline: the entrance is through a boldly projecting square tower, with a moulded arch, built in the reign of Edward III. by Sir Hugh Luttrell, and over the arch are the carved arms of Luttrell with supporters and crest: on the north-west is a massive rectangular block with an octagonal stair turret rising above the battlements and finished with a pointed roof and vane: the mansion is generally three storeys in height: in 1869 large additions were made to the Tudor portion of the castle by the present owner, G. F. Luttrell esq. when the new-structure on the northwest was erected, the north front and walls restored or rebuilt and a terrace constructed; the gateway of the lower ward, dating from the reign of Henry III. or Edward I. is 9 feet wide, with flanking towers, and has been restored: in the last century is was closed up, but was reopened on its restoration: the great gatehouse, which forms the entrance to the castle from the town, and is still perfect, may date from the time of Richard II.; it is a rectangular embattled building of three storeys, with an arched and vaulted entrance about 10 feet wide, angle turrets and semi-hexagonal flanking turrets on the inside: the exterior front is strengthened by buttresses, and over the archway, within a panel, are seven shields of the arms of Luttrell, either singly or impaled, and two at present blank: the first floor is divided into two rooms, the second forms a single large chamber 47 feet by 16 feet 6 inches, with an open timbered roof; the total width of this gatehouse is 63 feet, it is 23 feet deep, and has a height of about 45 feet: the fine park, of about 500 acres, abounds in deer and game, and contains the remains of two ancient camps of British and Roman origin, the ramparts of which can be seen from the castle. G. Fownes Luttrell esq. D.L., J.P. is lord of the manor and chief landowner. The soil is various, but in all parts good; the subsoil, sandstone and rock. The crops are mostly wheat, barley, turnips, pasture and oats. The area is 2,879 acres of land, 9 of water and 649 of foreshore; rateable value, £6,252; the population in 1901 was 1,182.

Petty Sessions are held at the court house on the first Friday in each month except October, & last Friday in September.

The parishes in the petty sessional division are:-Carhampton, Culbone, Cutcombe, Dunster, Luccombe Luxborough, Minehead, Minehead Without, Oare, Porlock, Selworthy, Stoke Pero, Timberscombe, Treborough, Withycombe & Wootton Courtney.

National, erected with master’s house in 1872, at the expense of G. F. Luttrell esq. for 250 children; average attendance, 135.

Wesleyan (mixed), built in 1825 & rebuilt 1853, for 40 children; average attendance, 31.

Kelly's Directory of Somerset (1902)

Most Common Surnames in Dunster

RankSurnameIncidenceFrequencyPercent of ParentRank in Carhampton Hundred
1Hole391:296.15%109
2Court361:318.65%197
3Gill231:495.78%206
3Long231:493.19%89
5Parsons181:630.85%11
6Smith171:660.39%1
6Baker171:660.49%2
6Chapman171:662.14%73
6Watts171:661.28%29
10Phillips161:701.51%50
10Slee161:7076.19%2,915
12Thorne151:751.66%67
12Boyles151:7530.61%1,627
14Clarke141:801.33%52
14Adams141:801.06%30
14Griffith141:8011.29%740
17Jones111:1020.49%10
17Mitchell111:1021.19%63
17Elliott111:1022.68%199
17Winter111:1022.04%136
17Bridge111:1028.94%744
17Ashman111:1021.73%108
23Griffiths101:1133.58%319
23Willis101:1132.01%161
23Webber101:1130.73%26
23Vickery101:1131.81%131
23Craze101:11376.92%3,842
28White91:1250.31%3
28Payne91:1250.85%49
28Eames91:1256.25%630
28Clatworthy91:1256.21%623
28Cowlin91:12540.91%2,826
28Willicombe91:12514.06%1,331
28Uppington91:12534.62%2,545
35Wood81:1411.02%75
35Moore81:1410.93%68
35Chambers81:1416.11%697
35Poole81:1411.12%90
39Cook71:1610.50%24
39Edmonds71:1613.89%504
39Cornish71:1611.73%204
39Crocker71:1611.55%175
39Durham71:16114.89%1,681
39Hine71:1616.60%858
39Langdon71:1611.32%140
39Prideaux71:16112.73%1,481
39Thrush71:16138.89%3,173
39Yeandle71:1616.31%816
39Holvey71:16113.21%1,514
50Mills61:1881.34%178
50Todd61:18817.65%2,119
50Owens61:1884.26%649
50Prescott61:1883.82%580
50Pitts61:1886.52%984
50Newbury61:1889.84%1,376
50Hartnell61:1882.49%377
50Grabham61:1884.17%630
50Geen61:18831.58%3,072
50Ell61:18885.71%5,654
50Helman61:18833.33%3,173
50Bulpin61:1887.50%1,126
50Quartley61:18812.50%1,653
50Stanibury61:188100.00%6,245
64Taylor51:2250.20%7
64Thomas51:2250.34%22
64Rogers51:2250.45%43
64Sharp51:2253.09%563
64Watkins51:2252.20%400
64Frost51:2251.33%226
64Nicholls51:2251.42%245
64Wilkins51:2250.55%65
64Bull51:2250.99%156
64Davey51:2250.65%78
64Perkins51:2251.26%206
64Latham51:2255.32%966
64Bass51:22516.13%2,265
64Wake51:2254.55%825
64Cane51:2258.77%1,451
64Tarr51:2252.16%390
64Hepper51:22515.63%2,217
64Mildon51:22541.67%4,036
64Luttrell51:22529.41%3,277
64Lettey51:22545.45%4,240
64de La Combe51:225100.00%6,987
85Ellis41:2821.64%369
85Bond41:2820.43%61
85Lees41:28217.39%2,758
85Dyer41:2820.40%56
85Lock41:2820.43%62
85Groves41:2821.96%451
85Quick41:2821.25%277
85Hawker41:2821.66%377
85Passmore41:2822.45%559
85Turvey41:28226.67%3,536
85Bussell41:2824.35%984
85Moorman41:28214.29%2,419
85Risdon41:2829.76%1,863
85Timewell41:28218.18%2,826
85Edbrook41:28221.05%3,072
85Rydon41:28280.00%6,987
85Neades41:28212.12%2,166
85Clutsome41:28236.36%4,240
103Harrison31:3750.88%258
103Anderson31:3752.75%832
103Hunt31:3750.21%23
103May31:3750.71%191
103Tucker31:3750.16%13
103Bryant31:3750.26%38
103Giles31:3750.59%150
103Wyatt31:3750.46%105
103Penny31:3750.53%126
103Abraham31:3756.52%1,716
103Sparkes31:3754.35%1,265
103Burge31:3750.39%80
103Rendell31:3750.86%248
103Ladd31:37512.50%2,687
103Sloman31:3753.80%1,142
103Rawle31:3751.46%446
103Culverwell31:3752.11%646
103Nation31:3751.70%515
103Woolcott31:3756.12%1,627
103Evered31:3755.17%1,434
103Tudball31:3752.48%759
103Withycombe31:37511.11%2,481
103Graddon31:3758.33%2,049
103Northcombe31:37511.11%2,481
127Edwards21:5630.14%21
127Young21:5630.15%27
127Bennett21:5630.18%42
127Bailey21:5630.18%45
127Saunders21:5630.26%81
127Sutton21:5630.60%263
127Moss21:5631.67%764
127Slater21:5633.51%1,451
127Rowe21:5630.52%215
127Savage21:5631.38%623
127Nichols21:5630.97%444
127Manning21:5630.51%212
127Horn21:5634.88%1,863
127Lang21:5630.95%434
127Down21:5630.65%288
127Boon21:5631.32%597
127Waterman21:5631.42%649
127Jervis21:5638.00%2,616
127Haddon21:5634.65%1,805
127Fear21:5630.29%100
127Napper21:5631.15%518
127Escott21:5631.27%574
127Pole21:5631.39%630
127Staddon21:5632.27%1,028
127Chapel21:56316.67%4,036
127Wayte21:56350.00%7,808
127Parkman21:5632.50%1,126
127Gawler21:5633.45%1,434
127Cranstone21:563100.00%10,160
127Penhall21:563100.00%10,160
127Nurton21:5633.13%1,331
127Scribbins21:5635.26%1,965
127Haime21:56366.67%8,898
127Chidzoy21:56311.76%3,277
127Magniac21:563100.00%10,160
162Evans11:1,1260.10%53
162Johnson11:1,1260.26%213
162Walker11:1,1260.25%209
162Davis11:1,1260.04%5
162Ward11:1,1260.26%217
162McDonald11:1,1261.85%1,498
162Morgan11:1,1260.12%69
162Allen11:1,1260.08%34
162Lee11:1,1260.14%90
162Price11:1,1260.16%107
162Cox11:1,1260.04%8
162Barker11:1,1260.81%744
162Knight11:1,1260.09%41
162Palmer11:1,1260.06%15
162Stevens11:1,1260.09%46
162West11:1,1260.13%82
162Newman11:1,1260.20%157
162Parry11:1,1261.89%1,514
162Harding11:1,1260.09%51
162Stone11:1,1260.07%20
162Carr11:1,1261.09%984
162Bishop11:1,1260.08%35
162Norman11:1,1260.14%95
162Smart11:1,1260.26%219
162Hancock11:1,1260.16%110
162Townsend11:1,1260.44%396
162Hooper11:1,1260.09%40
162Kent11:1,1261.30%1,159
162Goddard11:1,1260.61%548
162Howe11:1,1260.20%150
162Atkins11:1,1260.38%333
162Hale11:1,1260.26%211
162Gould11:1,1260.11%60
162Coles11:1,1260.06%14
162North11:1,1260.52%473
162Fry11:1,1260.09%48
162Farmer11:1,1260.64%580
162Rowland11:1,1260.58%524
162Ogden11:1,12611.11%4,797
162Burnett11:1,1260.36%324
162Horne11:1,1261.06%966
162Lovell11:1,1260.18%127
162Bland11:1,1267.14%3,674
162Wilcox11:1,1260.29%252
162Strong11:1,1260.56%509
162Dawes11:1,1262.08%1,653
162Snow11:1,1260.88%798
162Franks11:1,1260.88%798
162Broom11:1,1260.40%357
162Horrocks11:1,126100.00%12,126
162Markham11:1,12633.33%8,898
162Churchill11:1,1260.36%315
162Hedges11:1,1260.87%792
162Ramsey11:1,1266.25%3,399
162Packer11:1,1260.48%438
162Pearse11:1,1260.38%333
162Colman11:1,1261.12%1,018
162Worth11:1,1265.26%3,072
162Wynn11:1,1262.22%1,753
162Bale11:1,1260.31%274
162Symes11:1,1260.30%266
162Maitland11:1,1268.33%4,036
162Baily11:1,1260.63%574
162Truman11:1,1263.45%2,369
162Burnell11:1,1260.32%287
162Greenslade11:1,1260.33%290
162Ayre11:1,12612.50%5,187
162Heal11:1,1260.23%180
162Nicholl11:1,12611.11%4,797
162Cardwell11:1,1266.25%3,399
162Warman11:1,1260.94%858
162Jolliffe11:1,1265.26%3,072
162Dare11:1,1260.45%410
162Dark11:1,1261.19%1,074
162Cockram11:1,1262.08%1,653
162Crockford11:1,1262.04%1,627
162Purchase11:1,1260.55%499
162Sully11:1,1260.22%170
162Marten11:1,12625.00%7,808
162Larcombe11:1,1260.32%284
162Sorrell11:1,126100.00%12,126
162Warriner11:1,12625.00%7,808
162Babb11:1,1260.91%825
162Wager11:1,126100.00%12,126
162Sellick11:1,1260.53%479
162Sharland11:1,1261.41%1,241
162Ridler11:1,1260.84%769
162Rough11:1,12633.33%8,898
162Hiscox11:1,1260.60%542
162Mogford11:1,1262.44%1,863
162Cridland11:1,1260.49%451
162Criddle11:1,1260.36%317
162Wookey11:1,1260.44%398
162Trickey11:1,1261.43%1,253
162Upham11:1,1260.88%804
162Hensley11:1,1262.86%2,081
162Bindon11:1,1260.78%711
162Cridge11:1,1260.70%638
162Hosegood11:1,1261.92%1,540
162Waymouth11:1,1264.17%2,687
162Godby11:1,1267.69%3,842
162Lashbrook11:1,126100.00%12,126
162Gush11:1,1267.69%3,842
162Sail11:1,126100.00%12,126
162Morle11:1,1262.50%1,901
162Dallyn11:1,12616.67%6,245
162Cruwys11:1,12612.50%5,187
162Chaple11:1,12650.00%10,160
162Channings11:1,12633.33%8,898
162Polard11:1,126100.00%12,126
162Siderfin11:1,1265.88%3,277
162Meddick11:1,1262.94%2,119
162Jillott11:1,126100.00%12,126
162Passmoor11:1,126100.00%12,126
162Gatchell11:1,12633.33%8,898
162Hatherleigh11:1,126100.00%12,126
162Sedgbeer11:1,1268.33%4,036
162Scribbens11:1,126100.00%12,126
162Flee11:1,126100.00%12,126
162Tackle11:1,12650.00%10,160
162Scribben11:1,12633.33%8,898
162Gardiners11:1,126100.00%12,126