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Irish surname

Butler: Irish Surname History & Coat of Arms

de Buitléir · 'the butler' (Norman 'le Botiller', 'le Buitiler')

Butler is a Norman name, not a Gaelic one. Woulfe (1923) says it originated when Henry II appointed Theobald Walter, the first of the family to settle in Ireland, chief butler of Ireland; Theobald founded 'one of the most illustrious of the Anglo-Norman families in Ireland'. Webb's Compendium records later Butlers as Earls of Ormond and a Duke of Ormond. In 1890 Butler births were chiefly in Dublin, Kilkenny, Tipperary and Waterford.

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Coat of arms associated with the Butler surname
Irish formde Buitléir
Meaning'the butler' (Norman 'le Botiller', 'le Buitiler')
CountiesKilkenny, Tipperary, Waterford, Dublin
Other spellings2

Origin of the Butler name

Norman 'le Botiller', 'le Buitiler', the butler. Henry II appointed Theobald Walter chief butler of Ireland; he was granted the baronies of Upper and Lower Ormond and other great possessions. Webb says he accompanied Henry II's Irish expedition and was made Chief-Butler of Ireland in 1177.[1][2]

  1. 1170Theobald Walter attends Henry II to France; 'next year' joins his Irish expedition.[2]
  2. 1177Theobald Walter made Chief-Butler of Ireland.[2]
  3. 1206Theobald Walter dies; buried at 'Witheney', Co. Limerick.[2]
  4. 1336James Butler, 1st Earl of Ormond, founds the Friary of Little Carrick, Co. Waterford.[3]
  5. 1661James Butler, the 'Great Duke' of Ormond, created a Duke.[4]
  6. 1688The Duke of Ormond dies at Kingston Hall, Dorsetshire, 21 July.[4]
  7. 1810Government repurchases the Butlers' right of prisage on wine for £216,000.[2]
  8. 1890172 Butler births (incl. spelling variants), chiefly Dublin, Kilkenny, Tipperary, Waterford.[5]

Where in Ireland

Co. KilkennyAmong the principal counties for Butler births in 1890; Webb records the Duke of Ormond leaving London 'to return to Kilkenny for a time'.[5][4]
Co. Tipperary1st Earl of Ormond was granted the 'Regalities and Liberties of Tipperary'; principal county in 1890.[3][5]
Co. Waterford1st Earl granted the annual rent of Waterford city; principal county for Butler births in 1890.[3][5]
Co. DublinFirst county named for Butler births in 1890.[5]

Notable people named Butler

Theobald Walter (Butler)d. 1206Came with Henry II's expedition; Chief-Butler of Ireland from 1177; founded abbeys and churches in Ireland and England.[2]
James Butler, 1st Earl of Ormondd. 1337-8Married Eleanor de Bohun, granddaughter of Edward I; created Earl of Ormond; buried at Gowran.[3]
James Butler, 12th Earl and Duke of Ormond1610–1688The 'Great Duke'; Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland from 1644; created a Duke in 1661.[4]

Other spellings

le Botiller · le Buitiler[1]

The Butler coat of arms

The design shown is a coat of arms associated with the Butler surname. In Irish and British heraldry a coat of arms is granted to one person and passes to their heirs; it does not belong to everyone who shares the surname. Many families still use the arms of their name as a symbol of their heritage.

Butler crest gifts

Clan Butler Coat Of Arms - Irish Family Crest St Patrick's Day Classic CapAQ47 Classic Cap - Butler Coat Of Arms St Patrick's Day Classic Cap Irish Cap Butler Coat Of Arms - Irish Family Crest St Patrick's Day Classic Cap£33.00

Butler surname: questions

Is Butler an Irish surname?

In Ireland Butler is a Norman name. Woulfe traces it to Theobald Walter, appointed chief butler of Ireland by Henry II, the first of the family to settle in Ireland and founder of one of the most illustrious Anglo-Norman families there.[1]

What does the surname Butler mean?

Woulfe gives it as Norman 'le Botiller', 'le Buitiler', meaning the butler, from the office of chief butler of Ireland. The Irish form is de Buitléir.[1]

Where in Ireland is the Butler name from?

Theobald Walter was granted the baronies of Upper and Lower Ormond. In 1890 Butler births were found principally in Dublin, Kilkenny, Tipperary and Waterford.[1][5]

Who were the Butlers of Ormond?

Webb's Compendium records James Butler, 1st Earl of Ormond (died 1337-8), and James Butler, 12th Earl and Duke of Ormond, the 'Great Duke', created a Duke in 1661, who died in 1688. The pages used here do not set out their line of descent from Theobald Walter.[3][4]

Sources

  1. De Buitiléir, De Buitléir — Irish Names and Surnames (Rev. Patrick Woulfe, 1923), transcribed, LibraryIreland.com. libraryireland.com/names/d/de-buitileir-de-buitleir.php
  2. 1st Theobald Walter Butler — A Compendium of Irish Biography (Alfred Webb, 1878), transcribed, LibraryIreland.com. libraryireland.com/biography/1stTheobaldWalterButler.php
  3. James Butler, 1st Earl of Ormond — A Compendium of Irish Biography (Alfred Webb, 1878), transcribed, LibraryIreland.com. libraryireland.com/biography/JamesButler1stEarlofOrmond.php
  4. James Butler, 12th Earl and Duke of Ormond — A Compendium of Irish Biography (Alfred Webb, 1878), transcribed, LibraryIreland.com. libraryireland.com/biography/JamesButler12thEarlandDukeofOrmond.php
  5. Butler — Birth Indexes of 1890 — Special Report on Surnames in Ireland (Robert E. Matheson, 1909), transcribed, LibraryIreland.com. libraryireland.com/matheson/report/births/butler.php

Note: Matheson's 1890 figures for a surname include its spelling varieties (Matheson, Table Explanation).