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.

Over the ensuing eight centuries, the Butlers have extended across Europe, North America and Australia, as well as Ireland and England, with variant spellings such as de Buitléir (Irish), De Butler (French) and Von Butler (German), as well as le Boteler and le Botiller.

The Butler dynasty is an ancient Hiberno-Norman aristocratic family which participated in the Norman invasion of Ireland. Variant spellings include le Boteler and le Botiller. The surname has its origins in the hereditary office of butler of Ireland. The family originates with Theobald Walter, 1st Baron Butler

Thomas Butler, 10th Earl of Ormond and 3rd Earl of Ossory KG PC (Ire) (Irish: Tomás Dubh de Buitléir, Iarla Urmhamhan; c. 1531 – 1614), was an influential courtier in London at the court of Elizabeth I. He was Lord Treasurer of Ireland from 1559 to his death.

Butler family is the 20th oldest subsisting aristocratic family in France,and one of the oldest in England and Ireland,dating back to the Norman conquest by William the Conqueror. She has many existing branches, not only in the UK but also in France, Spain,Germany and America.

Learn more about some of the formidable characters who once lived here. The history of Kilkenny Castle starts with the Norman invasion of Ireland. It also heralds the beginning of the Butler Dynasty.

THE Butlers are of Norman origin, and were one of the most noted families who accompanied William the Conqueror to England in 1066. The original name of the family was Fitzwalter, from Walter, one of their ancestors.

Explore the medieval heartlands of Tipperary and discover centuries of drama, romance, intrigue and deadly rivalries as you follow in the footsteps of the powerful Butler dynasty. For more than five turbulent centuries the Butlers were the most powerful aristocratic family in Tipperary and they left an indelible mark.

Butler dynasty refers to the several branches of the Butler family (Irish; de Buitleir) that has its origins in the Cambro-Norman family that participated in the Norman invasion of Ireland in the 12th century.

The Butler dynasty by the early part of the 14th Century were to emerge as the pre-eminent family in Ireland, even surpassing the FitzGerald and Burke families later in the century. Part of this success can be attributed to their loyalty to the English crown.