Show ContentsBoutcher History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Boutcher is a name that was carried to England in the great wave of migration from Normandy following the Norman Conquest of 1066. It is a name for a person who worked as a "butcher." The name is derived from the Old English root "boucher," or the Old French root, "bouchier." Another possible derivation suggests that the name was given to families who dwelt in the French area of Boursieres. The two names have become confused over time, and the derivation of individual cases is subsequently extremely difficult to determine.

Early Origins of the Boutcher family

The surname Boutcher was first found in Salop (Shropshire) where they held a family seat after the Norman Conquest in 1066. Anciently the family held lands in Burgundy, to which they gave the name Boursieres. 1

Early History of the Boutcher family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Boutcher research. Another 241 words (17 lines of text) covering the years 1273, 1450, 1548, 1549, 1550, 1583 and 1665 are included under the topic Early Boutcher History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Boutcher Spelling Variations

The English language only became standardized in the last few centuries. For that reason, spelling variations are common among many Anglo-Norman names. The shape of the English language was frequently changed with the introduction of elements of Norman French, Latin, and other European languages; even the spelling of literate people's names were subsequently modified. Boutcher has been recorded under many different variations, including Butcher, Butchere, Butchers, Boucher, Bucher, Buchere, Boutcher and many more.

Early Notables of the Boutcher family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Joan Bocher or Joan Boucher or Butcher (died 1550), an English Anabaptist burned at the stake for heresy. She was arrested...
Another 29 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Boutcher Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Boutcher family to Ireland

Some of the Boutcher family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 83 words (6 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Australia Boutcher migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Boutcher Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Thomas Boutcher, aged 38, a farm labourer, who arrived in South Australia in 1852 aboard the ship "Marshall Bennett" 2


  1. The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X)
  2. South Australian Register Tuesday 3 February 1852. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) MARSHALL BENNETT 1852. Retrieved http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/australia/marshallbennett1852.shtml


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