Butler Family Crest and Surname Origin
A short guide to the Butler surname: its meaning, its roots in England, and its heraldry.
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Origin of the Butler name
Butler is an occupational name for the servant in charge of a lord's wine cellar, from Anglo-Norman French buteillier, "bottle bearer". In great households the butler was a senior officer. The name came to Ireland with the Normans, where Theobald Walter was made Chief Butler of Ireland, and it is common in both countries.
Our historical archives hold much more on the Butler name: dates, names and records of early bearers.
This overview covers the Butler name in England. We also hold records of the name in other countries, such as the United States, Ireland and Australia; your full pack is researched for your family's country of origin.
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The researched Butler pack traces meaning, early bearers and migration routes, and includes a personalized Butler coat of arms.
Butler name FAQ
What does the Butler name mean?
Wine steward. Common variants include Buttler, Botiller, Le Botiller.
Where does the Butler surname come from?
It originates in England, and is also found in the United States, Ireland and Australia.
Is there a Butler coat of arms?
Arms were granted to individuals, not whole surnames, so there is no single Butler crest. Herald Lab paints a personalized Butler coat of arms based on historic heraldry.
Researched by Herald Lab Research Studio, since 1993. Sources: Reaney & Wilson, Dictionary of English Surnames; Dictionary of American Family Names (Oxford); MacLysaght, The Surnames of Ireland; US Census Bureau 2010.