Show ContentsBouteler History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Bouteler

What does the name Bouteler mean?

The name Bouteler is rooted in the Old French translation a "bouteiller," a name for someone who was in charge of the wine cellar. This person was often the chief servant of the Medieval household. However, there is also another possible derivation of this name, from the Middle English word "boteler," which denoted a maker of (leather) bottles. 1

Early Origins of the Bouteler family

The surname Bouteler 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

Early History of the Bouteler family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bouteler research. Another 133 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1066, 1086, 1100, 1130, 1260, 1295, 1308, 1328, 1334, 1351, 1361, 1369, 1394, 1411, 1443, 1473, 1566, 1583, 1625, 1626, 1637, 1644, 1657, 1659, 1667, 1689, 1695, 1719 and 1772 are included under the topic Early Bouteler History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bouteler Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Boteler, Botelers, Botler and others.

Early Notables of the Bouteler family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was William le Boteler, who was created Baron Boteler of Werington by writ on June 23, 1295, the barony became extinct on his death (c.1328). A second barony was created by writ on March 19, 1308 for William Boteler of Wem; it went into abeyance in 1411. That family included: William Boteler, 1st Baron Boteler of Wem (died 1334); William Boteler, 2nd Baron Boteler of Wem (died 1361); William Boteler, 3rd Baron Boteler of Wem (died 1369); and Elizabeth Boteler, 4th Baroness Boteler of Wem (died 1411.) Ralph Boteler, 1st Baron Sudeley (1394-1473), was Captain...
Another 108 words (8 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Bouteler Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Bouteler family to Ireland

Some of the Bouteler family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 34 words (2 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Bouteler family

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: Ann Boteler, who arrived in Maryland in 1663; Edward Boteler, who settled in Maryland in 1669; Francis Boteler, who came to Virginia in 1665; John Boteler, who arrived in Maryland in 1640.



  1. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  2. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  3. 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
  4. 'Townships: Scarisbrick', in A History of the County of Lancaster: Volume 3, ed. William Farrer and J Brownbill (London, 1907), pp. 265-276. British History Online http://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/lancs/vol3/pp265-276 [accessed 21 January 2017].
  5. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  6. Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)


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