Surname Butts - Meaning and Origin
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Butts: What does the surname Butts mean?
The surname Butts is of English origin and is believed to have derived from the Old English pre 7th Century word "butt" meaning "a place of target practice for archers." Hence, the surname may have been a topographic name for someone who lived near such a site or possibly a nickname for an archer.
In Old English, the term "butt" was used to denote a plot of land or a piece of land on which archery was practiced. Therefore, the surname may also potentially refer to someone residing by this plot of land. Another possible derivation might be from the Middle English word "butte," meaning 'barrel,' indicating a maker or seller of barrels.
Early records of the surname include Richard de la Butte in the 1201 Pipe Rolls of Dorset, and Ranulph del Butts in the 1296 Subsidy Rolls of Sussex. There are also instances of variants of the name, like Butt, But, Butte, Boutt, and Bouts.
Ultimately, as with many surnames, the exact origin may vary for different families with the same name.
Order DNA origin analysisButts: Where does the name Butts come from?
The surname Butts is of Anglo-Saxon origin, derived from the Old English pre 7th Century word "butt" meaning "archery target" or "piece of land". The name is said to have been used to denote someone who lived near a prominent mark or shooting range, where archers practiced. It may also have been used for someone who lived on a plot of land that was blunt or truncated.
The surname Butts first appeared in Hampshire, England where they held a family seat from very early times. Over the centuries, members of the family have migrated across various countries, including Scotland, Ireland, and the United States.
Today, the last name Butts is quite common in the United States. According to available data, it is estimated to be the 2747th most common surname in the US, with approximately over 12,000 people bearing the name. It can also be found in smaller numbers in England, Canada, Australia, among other English-speaking countries. However, it’s not as widespread in non-English speaking countries.
Variations of the surname Butts
The surname Butts may derive from different origins, complicating the task of identifying all its variants and surnames of the same origin. This English surname potentially originated as a topographic name for someone who lived by an archery playing field or shooting range. Alternatively, the surname Butts might have derived from the Middle English term 'butte', meaning 'target' or 'mark for archery'. Variations of this name include Butt, But, Butte, Buttis, Buttas, Buttock, Buttrick, Buttress, Button, and Butting and surnames with similar meanings like Archer, Bowman, or Targett could have similar origins.
In German, Butts may derive from the surname 'Butz' or 'Putz' meaning 'fool', with its variants including Butze, Butzen, Butzek, Pootz, Pootzen, and Putze. Important to note, variations may depend on the specific regional dialects in the source language.
As a warning, tracing exact origins of surnames is quite challenging, because many may derive from multiple sources or change over time due to political, societal, or personal reasons. It's recommended to explore individual family histories for accurate origins.
Famous people with the name Butts
- Jim Butts: He was an American professional football player for the Houston Oilers and Los Angeles Rams.
- Alfred Butts: Creator of the board game Scrabble.
- Emory Bellard: Full name Emory Dilworth Bellard Butts, a renowned American football coach.
- Jerome Butts: A professional American football player who played for the Minnesota Vikings.
- Garrett Butts: An American professional ice hockey player.
- Sally Butts: A British actress and director known for her roles in TV shows and films.
- Clive Butts: A former professional footballer who played for the Jamaican national team.
- Christopher Butts: A well-known figure in the field of Physics for his association with NASA.
- Ken Butts: A former ATV motocross champion.
- Jerry Butts: A retired professional baseball player who played in the Major League Baseball (MLB).
- Amanda Butts: An American professional equestrian.
- Nick Butts: A professional golfer.
- Remy Butts: A singer and songwriter.
- Carla Butts: Known for her contribution in the field of Public Health, particularly HIV/AIDS prevention.
- Reggie Butts: High School Basketball Coach and former college player notable for his role on ESPN's "The Season."
- Eric Butts: YouTube influencer and film critic.
- Bryce Butts: A professional skateboarder.