Butler is a surname of English origin that originally denoted a servant or officer in charge of the pantry or buttery, which was the room where beer and wine were stored in medieval times. The name is derived from the Middle English word 'butiler', which evolved into 'butler' over time.
The surname Butler has a long history dating back to the Norman Conquest of England in 1066. Many families bearing this name can trace their lineage back to William the Conqueror's invading forces. One notable branch of the Butler family was established in Ireland by Theobald Fitzwalter, who accompanied Strongbow, Earl of Pembroke, on his conquest of that country in the late 12th century.
The Butlers became one of the most powerful families in Ireland, holding extensive lands and titles throughout the country. They played a significant role in Irish history, with many members serving as Chiefs of the Name Butler, Lords Chancellor of Ireland, and even Dukes of Ormond.
Over time, the name Butler has spread beyond England and Ireland to other parts of the world, including the United States and Canada. Today, it is still carried by many families who trace their roots back to the original Norman settlers or later immigrants.
In conclusion, the surname Butler is of English origin, denoting a servant or officer in charge of food supplies. It has a rich history dating back centuries and has been carried by numerous influential figures throughout the ages. Despite its origins as an occupational name, Butler today is often used as a given name for boys and girls alike, reflecting its enduring popularity and appeal.
Based on the provided statistics, the name Butler has had a varying popularity over the years in the United States from 1880 to 1996. The highest number of births with the name Butler occurred in 1914 and 1915, with 22 and 25 births respectively. This suggests that these years might have been periods when the name was particularly popular or significant.
However, it's important to note that the total number of births with the name Butler across these years is quite low, with only 987 births in total over a span of 116 years. This indicates that the name Butler was not extremely common during this period and was likely more often used than not used at all.
There are several noticeable peaks and valleys in the graph representing the popularity of the name Butler. For instance, there's a significant increase from 1913 to 1915, with the number of births jumping from 20 to 25. Conversely, there's a substantial drop from 1943 to 1944, with the number of births falling from 22 to 7.
After the peak in 1915, the popularity of the name Butler seemed to gradually decrease over time. There were only five or fewer births per year between 1971 and 1996, indicating that the name was not commonly used during this period. The most recent data point provided is from 1996, with six births that year.
Overall, these statistics suggest that the name Butler has had a fluctuating popularity in the United States over the past century or so, with periods of relatively high usage followed by periods of decline and rarity. Despite these fluctuations, it's clear that the name was never exceptionally common throughout this time frame.