Butler Last Name Origin [Quiz]

Explanation: While the Normans originally descended from Vikings, they adopted French culture and identity over time. Thus, Butler ancestors were Normans who had assimilated into French culture, rather than Vikings who retained their original identity.

Explanation: The Norman Conquest of 1066 brought the ancestors of the Butlers to England with William the Conqueror, where they would eventually rise to prominence.

Explanation: The Butler surname comes from the Norman French word “bouteillier,” which means “bottler” or “bottlemaker.” Originally, it was an occupational name for someone who served wine and cared for casks and bottles.

Explanation: The surname Walter, or FitzWalter (son of Walter), was used before the surname Butler was adopted.

Explanation: The Domesday Book lists the manors in Norfolk and Suffolk, England, that belonged to the Walter family. Hervey Walter, the grandfather of Theobald Walter, is mentioned in the Domesday Book as holding 27 manors in these counties.

Explanation: Theobald Walter was granted the hereditary office of Chief Butler of Ireland by Prince John in 1185, a position that led to his descendants adopting Butler as their surname.

Explanation: During coronations, the Chief Butler of Ireland had the ceremonial duty of presenting the king with the first cup of wine. This role symbolized the trust and importance placed on the Chief Butler by the crown.

Explanation: The Chief Butler of Ireland was given the right to a tenth of every wine ship’s cargo breaking bulk in Ireland. This right, known as the prisage of wines, significantly contributed to the wealth and influence of the Butler family.

Explanation: The Butler coat of arms often depicts three covered cups, representing their original role as wine stewards and their hereditary office as Chief Butlers of Ireland.

Explanation: The Butler family motto is “Comme Je Trouve,” which means “As I Find” in French. This motto encourages resilience and determination in facing life’s challenges.

Explanation: The Butler family’s war cry is “Butler A Boo,” where “A Boo” means victory in Gaelic. This war cry was a rallying call for the Butlers in battle.

Explanation: Kilkenny Castle became the principal seat of the Butler family in Ireland in 1391. It served as the family’s residence and administrative center for over 500 years.

Explanation:The Geraldines (Fitzgeralds) were the chief rivals of the Butler family in Ireland. This rivalry often resulted in conflicts and power struggles between the two houses. Despite the animosity, there were also several marriages forged between the Geraldines and the Butlers, suggesting a complex web of alliances and conflicts.

Explanation: James Butler, the 1st Duke of Ormonde, significantly elevated the Butler family’s status by serving as Lord Lieutenant of Ireland and being a leading royalist commander during the English Civil War. His political and military contributions solidified the family’s influence and prominence.

Explanation: Thomas Butler, 7th Earl of Ormond, is the grandfather of Anne Boleyn and the great-grandfather of Queen Elizabeth I. His lineage connected the Butler family to the English royal family.

Explanation: There are more than 400,000 people with the Butler surname worldwide, making it the 1278th most popular surname in the world.

Explanation: Outside of the United States, the greatest number of people with the Butler surname live in England.

Explanation: Richard Butler, from County Tipperary in Ireland, is believed to be the first Butler family member to step foot on American soil. He was a page-boy on Raleigh’s expedition to Virginia, led by Captain Philip Amadas and Master Arthur Barlowe, in 1584.

Explanation: Texas has the highest number of people with the Butler surname in the United States. Approximately 9% of all American Butlers can be found in the lone star state.

Explanation: According to Craig L. Foster, vice president of The Butler Society in the United States, extensive research shows that every U.S. president, except Martin Van Buren, descends from the Chief Butlers of Ireland.