RE: [Harp-L] Origin of the Butterfield name



Winslow wrote:
....The English pronunciation indicates a corruption of the German word Botefeld
(Bote, a messenger, and feld, field, or clearing where the trees have
been felled). Similar instances occur in Butterley, Buttermere,
Butterwick, Butterworth in England, and perhaps Buterville in
Ireland: the affix in each case denoting locality-ley meadow, mere
pond, wick bay, worth enclosure-where the messenger dwelt. Or, the
derivation may be from botfeld, which, among the Anglo-Saxons, was
that portion of the manor, the timber of which was reserved for the
repairs of the manor house, buildings, &c., and the mending of the
fences. Such privileges were styled Haybote (from hait, hedge, or the
land enclosed by it, and bote, repair). The official charge with such
repairs was styled the Hayward, whence the modern word: as also
Heyward and Howard. Our word botcher, for a blundering repairer, is a
survival of this same bote in common speech.

There's a well-known folk-song in Northumberland (north-east England) called "Cushie Butterfield," sung to the tune of "Pretty Little Polly Perkins of Paddington Green." You really need a Geordie to sing it. In the 50s and 60s English schoolkids such as yours truly were tormented with songs such as the latter.
Here's a link to it: http://mysongbook.de/msb/songs/c/cushie.html


Steve


http://mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/trad_irish_harmonica


Steve's CD of mostly traditional Irish, "Blowing Through The Reeds," is now available! Hear clips at http://www.gjk2.com/steveshaw/cd.htm

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