Butler dynasty

Butler de Buitléir
noble house
Country	Lordship of Ireland
Founded	1185; 839 years ago (1185)
Founder	Theobald Walter, 1st Chief Butler of Ireland
Titles	Duke of Ormonde Marquess of Ormonde Earl of Ossory Earl of Ormond Earl of Kilkenny Earl of Carrick Earl of Glengall Earl of Arran Earl of Gowran Viscount Thurles Viscount Mountgarret Viscount Galmoye Viscount Clonmore Viscount Ikerrin Baron Dunboyne Baron Cahir Baron Mountgarret of Nidd Butler Baronetcies

Butler (Irish: de Buitléir) is the name of a noble family whose members were, for several centuries, prominent in the administration of the Lordship of Ireland and the Kingdom of Ireland. They rose to their highest prominence as Dukes of Ormonde. The family has produced 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 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. The arms of later family members depicted three cups in recognition of their original office.