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The Butterworth Family - Norwegian Origins
The name Butterworth is derived from BUTER WOHL, the home or house of BUTER. BUTER appears to have been a Norse Viking who joined Harold Haarfarger in his rebellion against his brother Harold Haardraade. The Rebellion proved abortive and Harold Haarfarger was defeated and killed in a sea action off the Orkneys or Shetlands. His fleet was dispersed and after great trials at sea, Buter sailed down the west cost of Scotland. Buter was prevented from landing in Scotland due to "the inhospitable nature of the coast and the ferocity of the inhabitants" and finally landed in Morcambe Bay. From Morcambe he worked his way inland and settled in a large area southwest of the village of Rochdale. This became known as BOTWORTH (or Butterworth) until the early 1800's when it became part of Rochdale and the area's name was changed to Milnrow. For those Butterworth familes attempting to trace their ancestry over the past years, the origins of their forefathers can only be in Milnrow, Lancashire The account of Buter's arrival in England, together with record of the Butterworth family history by a member of the Athenaeum club, was given by Adminral Sir Clements Markham to Commander Henry Butterworth. This was lost along with all his possessions when the "Dacca" was wrecked on the Daedalus Rock in the Red Sea, while sailing to Austrailia in April 1890. If the two Harold's (Haarfaager & Haardraade) are meant to be indentified with the famous Norwegian Kings, there would appear to be some chronological confusion. Of the Kings of Norway, Harold I (Harold Harfagr or Haarfager AD 850) reigned from 1046 to 1066 and invaded England with Tostig, the outlawed brother of Harold II, King of the English. They where defeated at Stamford Bridge on 25 September 1066 by Harold II who was defeated and slain 19 days later on the 14 October 1066 at the Battle of Hasting, or Senlac.