History of the Butler Name

Many Irish bearers of this name may trace their ancestry to Theobald FitzWalter, who accompanied Henry II to Ireland in 1170 and who in 1177 was created Chief Butler (i.e. overlord) of Ireland by the king. His direct descendants include the earls and dukes of Ormonde. The dukedom was acquired after James Butler (1610 — 1688), the 12th Earl, a staunch supporter of Charles I during the Civil War, had negotiated the restoration of Charles II in 1660. He was succeeded by his grandson, also called James (1665 — 1745), who was a staunch Protestant and supporter of William of Orange in 1685. He served as Lord Lieutenant of Ireland and became Commander-in-Chief of the British army. However, after the death of Queen Anne he opposed the accession of George I and took part in a Jacobite rising (1715), after which he spent the rest of his life in exile.

Source: http://privatewww.essex.ac.uk/~alan/family/S-Butler.html

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