Welcome to The Butler Society Southern Cross Region website.

The Butler Society was founded in 1967, and is based in Kilkenny , Ireland. The launching of the Society coincided with the handing over of the Kilkenny Castle to the town of Kilkenny by Arthur Butler , the 6th Marquess of Ormonde and the 30th Chief Butler of Ireland. Kilkenny Castle had been the ancestral home of the Ormonde Butlers since 1391.

At first, the focus of the Society was on the history of the Ormonde Butlers of Ireland and Kilkenny Castle, however, over the years members have traced their roots to other family groups in England, Ireland and Wales. This is understandable, as many noble families in medieval times had a butler in a postion of authority in their large households. The butler(or bottler) was in charge of the wine(ie the cellars), and this was a position of considerable trust.

The Society now has members in France (where the name is spelt Boutler), in Germany (Buttlar), Argentina (Buteler), Spain, South Africa, USA , Canada, UK, New Zealand, and Australia.

International Butler Society http://www.butler-soc.org/