Bodelers History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The surname Bodelers was first found in Normandy where they held a family seat as Seigneurs of Wemme. Their ancient title was Butler (Bouteillier) to the Counts of Meulent (Robert de Beaumont about 1066,) the actual family name being Pincerna. This title was then adopted as a surname.

"This name, as Pincerna, is three times entered in Domesday. 2 "Hugo Pincerna" held a barony in Bedfordshire; and two others, Richard and Robert, were under-tenants, the first in Shropshire and Cheshire, the second in Shropshire only. The two first founded baronial families, and in giving some account of each of these, I will commence with Hugo, the feudal Butler of the Counts of Mellent. This dignity had been, and continued to be, hereditary in his family, as was then customary. He accompanied the Count to England in 1066, and received his share of the spoils awarded to the new Earl of Leicester. His son, Ralph Pincerna, had the custody of his suzerain's estates in 1130 (Rot. Pip.), and was a benefactor of Kenilworth Priory." 3

Arnold le Boteler was the first recorded 'lord' of the Welsh village of Pembrey where he established manor house and estate which is now known as Court Farm during the reign of William the Conqueror. Later, William le Boteler was rector of the church of St. Elphin, Warrington, Lancashire c. 1289. 4

Some of the family later held estates in Great and Little Badminton in Gloucestershire. "[Great Badminton], together with Little Badminton, is nearly all included within the boundary wall of Badminton Park, the seat of the Duke of Beaufort, whose ancestor, the first duke, built a princely mansion in the reign of Charles II., on the site of an ancient house belonging to the Boteler family." 5

"[Little Linford] in Buckinghamshire] was purchased by the Botelers, and passed with Great Linford till about 1658, when it was purchased by the Thompsons." 5

In Scotland, most early documents record the name in the Latin form "pincerna." "Hugo, pincerna, witnessed charters by Richard, bishop of St. Andrews, a. 1173, and c. 1200-1207.Petrus, pincerna, appears as a witness. Warinus, pincerna the bishop of Glasgow, witnessed confirmation of the sale of land of Scrogges to the church of Glasgow, 1208-1213. Malcolm, pincerna, witnessed a confirmation charter by Alexander 11 of his father's grant of the right of a fair, etc., to the bishop of Glasgow, c. 1225." 6

It was not until to the late 13th century when the name was recorded in the English form: "Sir John le Botiler swore fealty in 1291, and in 1296 Johan le Botillier of Cramond, Johan le Botiler of Perthshire, and Sir John called le Botillier all rendered homage." 6