Show ContentsButevilain History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The origins of the Butevilain name lie with England's ancient Anglo-Saxon culture. It comes from when the family lived in Norfolk,where the family was found since the early Middle Ages.

"Botevilain and Trossebot feared neither blow nor thrust, but heartily gave and took many on that day." Though thus signalised at the Battle of Hastings, the name does not occur in Domesday; and is only found in the following century in Norfolk and Northamptonshire." 1

Early Origins of the Butevilain family

The surname Butevilain was first found in Norfolk, but early records also revealed that the name was found in Northamptonshire where Boutevillaine was changed to Butlin. Such changes were frequently listed "Butlin alias Boutevillaine" up to the time of Elizabeth. 2

"Flordon (in Norfolk) came to the Buttevillains very early. Robert held it in 1139."-Blomfield. According to the Liber Niger, he held two knight's fees of Walter de Wahull, and three of Roger Bigot, Earl of Norfolk. His son William founded Pipewell Abbey in Northamptonshire, where "he held lands, at Pipewell and elsewhere. He was in great favour with Henry II., who, upon going into Normandy, gave him a writ, directed to the Bishops of London and Norwich, and to all his liege people, English and Norman, of Northamptonshire, Norfolk, and Suffolk, granting him all the lands and other liberties that his father had enjoyed." 1

Early History of the Butevilain family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Butevilain research. Another 133 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1130, 1150, 1205, 1273, 1344, 1429, 1662 and 1707 are included under the topic Early Butevilain History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Butevilain Spelling Variations

Before the last few hundred years, the English language had no fast system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations are commonly found in early Anglo-Saxon surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Butevilain were recorded, including Butlin, Butevilain, Buteuillanus, Butevilein, Botevileyn, Botevilein, Botevelyn, Butveleyn, Butlyn, Butlen, Botlin and many more.

Early Notables of the Butevilain family

More information is included under the topic Early Butevilain Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Butevilain family

To escape oppression and starvation at that time, many English families left for the "open frontiers" of the New World with all its perceived opportunities. In droves people migrated to the many British colonies, those in North America in particular, paying high rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Although many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, those who did see the shores of North America perceived great opportunities before them. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Research into various historical records revealed some of first members of the Butevilain family emigrate to North America: John Butlin who arrived in Barbados in 1668.



  1. Cleveland, Dutchess of The Battle Abbey Roll with some Account of the Norman Lineages. London: John Murray, Abermarle Street, 1889. Print. Volume 1 of 3
  2. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.


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