The first Cromwell to engage the attention of England was John Cromwell who came from the Norwell, a village not far from the village of Cromwell. He was a fuller by trade, and he obtained the lease of a fulling mill for twenty one years, together with a residence and six acres of land belonging thereto, situation near the river Wandle, in the ancient Manor of Wimbledon. The lease was granted to John Cromwell in the year 1452, by the Archbishop of Centerbury.
John's father was William Cromwell of Norwell and his grandfather was William, fourth son of the Ralph de Cromwell of Lambley, Nottingham. At the time of his death, which occured about 1480, he was buried in Wimbledon Churchyard. Behind him, he left two sons and one or two daughters.