Butler is the name of a noble family whose members were, for several centuries, prominent in the administration of the Lordship of Ireland and the Kingdom of Ireland. They rose to their highest prominence as Dukes of Ormonde. The family has produced multiple titles such as Baron Cahir, Baron Dunboyne, Viscount Ikerrin, Viscount Galmoye, Viscount Mountgarret, Viscount Thurles, Earl of Carrick, Earl of Kilkenny, Earl of Ormond, Earl of Ossory, Marquess of Ormonde and Duke of Ormonde. Variant spellings of the name include le Boteler and le Botiller. The Butlers were descendants of Anglo-Norman lords who participated in the Norman invasion of Ireland in the 12th century. The surname has its origins in the hereditary office of "Butler (cup-bearer) of Ireland", originating with Theobald Walter, 1st Chief Butler of Ireland. The arms of later family members depicted three cups in recognition of their original office.
Butler arms at Kilkenny Castle
James Butler, 9th Earl of Ormond (1496–1546), by Hans Holbein.
James Butler, 2nd Duke of Ormonde; a Jacobite sympathiser, his titles became forfeit in 1715
Kilkenny Castle, Ireland
The peerage title Earl of Ormond and the related titles Duke of Ormonde and Marquess of Ormonde have a long and complex history. An earldom of Ormond has been created three times in the Peerage of Ireland.
James Butler, 1st Duke of Ormonde.
Bookplate by Henry Badeley showing the coat of arms of the Butlers, Earls of Ormonde: Quarterly 1st: Or, a chief indented azure (Walter); 2nd: Gules, three covered cups or (Butler); 3rd: Argent, a lion rampant gules on a chief of the second a swan close argent between two annulets or (Carrick); 4th: Ermine, a saltire gules