The name Tutbury probably derives from a Scandinavian settler and subsequent chief of the hill-fort, Totta, bury being a corruption of burh the Anglo-Saxon name for 'fortified place'.

Tutbury Castle became the headquarters of Henry de Ferrers and was the centre of the wapentake of Appletree, which included Duffield Frith.

[2] One of the Royal Studs was established in the area round the castle by Henry VIII but had to be abandoned after the Civil War.

Until 2006, Tutbury Crystal, a manufacturer of high-quality cut glass products, was based in the village.

However, production was transferred to Stoke-on-Trent as the existing factory was very old and was thought to be too small for the modern company's requirements.

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