My Butler Family

The Butler name traces its origins from the old French “bouteillier” which comes from the Latin word “buticula” means bottle. The name referred to a wine steward or chief servant in a medieval household. Modern variations of the name include Boutler, Buttlar, and Buteler. The name is common in Ireland, specially in Wexford, Waterford and Kilkenny. The Butlers were descendants of Anglo-Norman lords who participated in the Norman invasion of Ireland in the 12th century. The surname has its origins in the hereditary office of "Butler (cup-bearer) of Ireland", originating with Theobald Walter, 1st Chief Butler of Ireland. They rose to their highest prominence as Dukes of Ormonde.

The family has multiple titles such as Baron Cahir, Baron Dunboyne, Viscount Ikerrin, Viscount Galmoye, Viscount Mountgarret, Viscount Thurles, Earl of Carrick, Earl of Kilkenny, Earl of Ormond, Earl of Ossory, Marquess of Ormonde and Duke of Ormonde.

Variant spellings of the name include le Boteler and le Botiller.

The earliest confirmed ancestor of our Butler line is William Butler of Ballycooge in Wexford who was born in 1697 and is reputed to be part of the Butlers of Garryhundon and Ballintemple - who represented Co. Carlow in the Irish Parliament down to the Union. This line founded by Thomas Butler, illegitimate son of Edmund, 2nd son of the 9th Earl of Ormond, who was created a baronet by Charles I in 1628.

It is great great grand-daughter Julia Ann Willoughby who emigrates to Australia in 1852.

My Butler ancestry goes back 8 generations and biographies exist for some members as indicated by links.