Show ContentsButlen History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The ancestors of the Butlen surname lived among the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture. The name comes from when they 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 Butlen family

The surname Butlen 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 Butlen family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Butlen 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 Butlen History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Butlen Spelling Variations

Before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, French and other languages became incorporated into English through the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Butlen include Butlin, Butevilain, Buteuillanus, Butevilein, Botevileyn, Botevilein, Botevelyn, Butveleyn, Butlyn, Butlen, Botlin and many more.

Early Notables of the Butlen family

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

Migration of the Butlen family

A great wave of immigration to the New World was the result of the enormous political and religious disarray that struck England at that time. Families left for the New World in extremely large numbers. The long journey was the end of many immigrants and many more arrived sick and starving. Still, those who made it were rewarded with an opportunity far greater than they had known at home in England. These emigrant families went on to make significant contributions to these emerging colonies in which they settled. Some of the first North American settlers carried this name or one of its variants: 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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