Surname Buttimer - Meaning and Origin

Buttimer: What does the surname Buttimer mean?

The last name Buttimer is an Irish surname derived from the Gaelic “buiteamor,” meaning “great protector.” The name is associated with County Cork, a province in the south of Ireland.

The objective of the original Buttimer family was apparently to protect other families from invaders. The likely origin of the name is that of a medieval family “Buit” who possibly adopted the name after settling in the area.

The Buttimer family had strong ties with the Boyle family and are recorded in Irish history from the 12th century. The Boyle family was a powerful clan in the province, with their base in Lismore Castle. It is believed that the Buttimer family acted as a “protector” to the Boyle clan in times of danger.

The Buttimer family were prominent figures in the fight against English rule in Ireland. Many members of the Buttimer clan served in the Irish Rebellion of 1798, and the Irish War of Independence. The family is also a patronymic family, as it is derived from the ancestor's first name. Irish patronymics are used to trace the origin of a family back to a particular place in Ireland.

The Buttimer family name is still common in Ireland, particularly in County Cork, and also abroad. Those with the Buttimer surname also keep strong ties with their Irish heritage and continue to honour their ancestor's legacy.

Buttimer: Where does the name Buttimer come from?

The surname Buttimer is an Irish surname with Gaelic origins. It is believed to have first appeared in County Cork, Ireland in the early 15th century. It is derived from the Gaelic words 'buit' (meaning cow) and 'tighearna' (meaning lords).

Buttimer is still a common surname in Ireland today, particularly in County Cork and its surrounding areas. Recent records show that the surname Buttimer ranked 13,972nd most common last name in the world in 2020. According to a 2018 survey, it is estimated that there are over 12,000 people who use the Buttimer surname in Ireland today.

The surname Buttimer is also fairly common in the United Kingdom, having gained more popularity in recent years due to immigration from Ireland. It can also be found in North America and many other countries across the world, due to the increasing prevalence of Irish immigration.

Overall, the surname Buttimer is still quite common today, with many people of Irish descent using it around the world. It is a reminder of the strong Irish heritage and culture which has been passed through to many generations.

Variations of the surname Buttimer

The surname Buttimer is derived from the Old French name Butemer, which itself is derived from the Latin name Botomerus, which translates to “good fortune”. Over time, this surname has developed a variety of different spellings and variants. In English, the most popular spellings are Buttimer, Buttimar, Buttimore, Buttermere, Bittimer, and Bittimor, while variations in Irish include Butteimír, Butteimear, Butteimeir, and Bottimír.

Other variations, including Bittemore, Battemore, Bittenore, and Bittenor, are also found in Ireland. In Scotland, the name is recorded as Buttimeer, Buttermer, and Budimer, while in Wales it appears as Buttimore, Buttimore, and Budemore. These versions of the name may be attributed to different dialects, and local pronunciations.

In Germany, the name is spelled Buttemer, and in France, Botimer, both of which are derived from the original Latin form of the name. Additionally, variants of the Buttimer surname are found in Spain, Austria, and Italy, including Botemar, Botzman, Buttimari, Botomia, and Botmari.

No matter the spelling, the Buttimer surname is believed to have originally been bestowed upon individuals who achieved notable fortune. As such, to this day, it is a reminder of the good luck, wealth, and success of those who possess it.

Famous people with the name Buttimer

• Dr. Stephen Buttimer: a college professor and researcher who specializes in microprocessing and nanofabrication.
• Monique Buttimer: an Australian Paralympic wheelchair tennis player based in Florida.
• Paul Buttimer: an amateur Scottish footballer who plays for Heart of Edinburgh.
• Gerry Buttimer: a former politician in Ireland who served as a member of the Seanad and of the Dáil Éireann.
• Emer Buttimer: a well-known Irish linguist and Professor Emeritus at University College Cork.
• Eoin Buttimer: a retired Irish boxer who competed at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.
• Gail Buttimer: an American entrepreneur and the founder of The Buttimer Group, an executive coaching, consulting, and training company.
• Jimmy Buttimer: an Irish hurler who played as a centre-forward at senior level for the Antrim county team.
• Mark Buttimer: an award-winning cinematographer from Massachusetts who has worked on several documentary films.
• Richard Buttimer: an Australian artist who works in multiple media including painting, sculpture, video, and photography.

Other surnames

Buttimore