 In the peerage of Ireland, the titles were successfully claimed in 1791 by his son John, the 17th Earl.Walter was born on 10 June 1703, probably at Garryricken House, the only son of John Butler and his wife Frances Butler.His father was the younger brother of Thomas Butler of Garryricken and part of a cadet branch of the Butler dynasty that started with Richard Butler of Kilcash (died 1701), a younger brother of the 1st Duke of Ormond.