Research Notes:

The Complete Peerage records Theobald Walter as “s. and h. of Hervey Walter of West Dereham, Norfolk...by Maud da. and coh. of Theobald de Valoignes” but does not cite the primary source on which this statement is based. “Ranulfus de Glamvilla” founded Leiston abbey, Suffolk by undated charter, witnessed by “...Willielmo de Valeines, Radulfo Murdac...Teobaldo Walteri...Rogero Walteri...”. He was given land in Ireland in [1185] by Prince John, then Lord of Ireland. He was appointed "butler" in 1192. "Manser Arsic" paid for an inquisition of Novel disseisin against "Theobald Butler" touching his free tenement, dated 1199. "John de Penris" paid for a writ of Mort d´ancestor against "Theobald Walter" dated 20 Dec 1205. "Meyler Fitz Henry justiciary of Ireland" was ordered to take into the king´s hands lands "which belonged to Theobald Walter when he left Ireland" by mandate dated 3 Apr 1206. ¹

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Theobald was presumably named after his maternal grandfather, Theobald de Valoignes. By 1185, Theobald Walter was created Chief Butler of Ireland. He and his descendants took their surname from said office (Butler), as the royal house of Stewart in Scotland took their surname from the office of Steward (Le Steward). The Chief Butler, like the Steward, the Marshal, the Chamberlain and the Constable, was one of the hereditary officers of state.

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Theobald Walter may have married twice. If so, Matilda de Vavasour was his second wife. It has been conjectured that by an unknown first wife he had a daughter Beatrix Walter, who married first to Thomas de Hereford and second to Sir Hugh Purcel. See research notes under Theobald's father, Hervé Walter.