Our History – a brief overview:

It is said that we are descended from Achilles de Buteler, son of Gualtherus Boteler, cupbearer to King Henry I. After disputes between the king and the Archbishop of Canterbury, Achilles left England with 400 relatives and followers of the bishop and went to Germany. Here he settled in the middle of what was then the German Empire and founded the town of Buttlar, which has been the family seat ever since. It is also said that Achilles named the small river in the town in memory of his homeland Ulster. The castle in Buttlar changed hands over the centuries. It belonged to the family until 1945, but was then expropriated by the Soviet occupying forces. Today it is privately owned, vacation apartments can be rented there, and the small river Ulster still flows along the village, reminding us of Achilles’ Anglo-Irish origins.

Over the years, various branches of the family emerged, which today are divided into three main groups: von Butler, Buttlar-Elberberg, and Treusch von Buttlar. As David explained, we have been organized as a family association since 1888. A family reunion takes place every two years—only wars and COVID-19 have caused involuntary breaks. We have about 100 members in the association, although not all family members are members of the association. Due to our connection to the international Butler family, of which we consider ourselves a part, family reunions have already taken place in Germany. In 1968, Butlers from all over the world met in Markershausen. In 1998, we also visited Berlin as part of the international family day, and then several estates that still belong to the family today. When we meet in Markershausen next year, we will be celebrating over 750 years of family history. The place is quite small, and the manor house belongs to my brother. On a mountain are the ruins of Brandenfels, where the Buttlars lived as knights from 1250 onwards. The castle was abandoned in the 16th century, and many estates were built in the surrounding area. This includes the Markershausen manor house, which has been owned by the family ever since. Our connection with the Butler Society remains important to our family association. We welcome all Butler families and their kith and kin.

Lutz von Buttlar
President
The German Butler Society.