This family derive their origin from the old Counts of Briony or Biony, in Normandy, a descendant of whom, Herveius Fitz Walter, accompanied the Conqueror into England. His son, Theobold, went with Henry II. into Ireland, where, having greatly assisted in the reduction of the kingdom, he was rewarded with large possessions there, and made it the place of his residence. The king afterward conferred on him the office of chief Butler of Ireland, whence his descendants, the Earls of Ormond and others, took the surname of De Boteler or Butler.

Arthur, William (1857) An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names. New York: Sheldon, Blakeman. Public Domain.

BUTLER. See under Botiler. The origin of the great Irish f\imily of Butler is a vexed question. They have been variously deduced — from Heneius, a companion of William the Conqueror — from the illustrious De Clares — and from a brother of Thomas a Becket. Certain it is that they went over to Ireland, temp. Henry II., and that the name is derived from the oflice of King's Butler, which was conferred upon Theobald surnamed ?e Boteler by that monarch in 1177, and remained hereditary in his descendants for many genei-atioiis. The head of the family claimed prisage and butlerage for all wines imported into Ireland, and it was not until 1810 that the claim was finally surrendered, for the valuable consideration of £216,000.

Lower, Mark A (1860) Patronymica Britannica: a dictionary of the family names of the United Kingdom. London: J.R. Smith. Public Domain.