Clan Bethune
Encyclopedia
Clan Bethune may have its origins from the French city of Béthune
, but another possibility is that the name is an Anglicization of the Gaelic
name Macbheatha. Clan Bethune is a small armigerous clan
, and in Scotland, but surviving in America under the name "Clan MacBeth".
It is thought that the Bethunes came from Normandy with William the Conqueror in 1066.
Relationship, if any, to Macbeth of Scotland
(d.1057) is unclear. MacBeth is possibly the Anglicized surname Beaton, though the Scottish origin of the Beatons of Skye may be semi-legendary. As a clan they were particularly associated with the trade of medicine, and hereditary physicians to the Chief of the Clan Macdonald. No less than seventy-six physicians called MacBeth or Beaton are found practising medicine in the Gaidhealtachd
between 1300 and 1700. According to Black Bethune was confused with Beaton in the sixteenth century and Beaton was merged in English from Macbeth and Bethune. Two "Beaton" families were hereditary doctors practicing in the in Mull
and Sky
. Those on Mull were doctors to Clan Maclean
and later Clan Fraser of Lovat, they seemed to have eventually been known as Beaton. Also according to Black, the other Beaton family of hereditary doctors, those of Sky, were Bethunes, descended from the Bethunes in Fife, the Bethunes of Balfour. This group were descended from the 5th Bethune of Balfour and settled Sky in the sixteenth century.
The clan Crest as borne by the "Clan MacBeth" Society of North America blazon
is a wyvern
"holding in the dexter claw a sword in pale proper, the hilt entwined with two serpents argent and vert". The motto is Conjuncta virtuti fortuna.
The official Clan Bethune Scottish crest badge
as recorded by the Lord Lyon King of Arms
incorporates the last chief's crest: An otter’s head erased Argent with his motto De bonnaire (Gracious).
Arms
of the last clan chief, The Bethune of Balfour: Quarterly, 1st & 4th, Azure, a fess between three mascles Or (Bethune); 2nd & 3rd, Argent, on a chevron Sable, an otter’s head erased of the First. These arms are now held by the Earls of Lindsay
whose surname is Lindesay-Bethune.
Béthune
Béthune is a city in northern France, sub-prefecture of the Pas-de-Calais department.-Geography:Béthune is located in the former province of Artois. It is situated South-East of Calais, West of Lille, and North of Paris.-Landmarks:...
, but another possibility is that the name is an Anglicization of the Gaelic
Goidelic languages
The Goidelic languages or Gaelic languages are one of the two branches of the Insular Celtic languages, the other consisting of the Brythonic languages. Goidelic languages historically formed a dialect continuum stretching from the south of Ireland through the Isle of Man to the north of Scotland...
name Macbheatha. Clan Bethune is a small armigerous clan
Armigerous clan
An armigerous clan is a Scottish clan, family or name which is registered with the Court of the Lord Lyon and once had a chief who bore undifferenced arms, but does not have a chief currently recognized as such by Lyon Court...
, and in Scotland, but surviving in America under the name "Clan MacBeth".
It is thought that the Bethunes came from Normandy with William the Conqueror in 1066.
Relationship, if any, to Macbeth of Scotland
Macbeth of Scotland
Mac Bethad mac Findlaích was King of the Scots from 1040 until his death...
(d.1057) is unclear. MacBeth is possibly the Anglicized surname Beaton, though the Scottish origin of the Beatons of Skye may be semi-legendary. As a clan they were particularly associated with the trade of medicine, and hereditary physicians to the Chief of the Clan Macdonald. No less than seventy-six physicians called MacBeth or Beaton are found practising medicine in the Gaidhealtachd
Gàidhealtachd
The Gàidhealtachd , sometimes known as A' Ghàidhealtachd , usually refers to the Scottish highlands and islands, and especially the Scottish Gaelic culture of the area. The corresponding Irish word Gaeltacht however refers strictly to an Irish speaking area...
between 1300 and 1700. According to Black Bethune was confused with Beaton in the sixteenth century and Beaton was merged in English from Macbeth and Bethune. Two "Beaton" families were hereditary doctors practicing in the in Mull
Mull
-Places:*Isle of Mull, Scottish island in the Inner Hebrides*Sound of Mull, between the island and the rest of Scotland*Mull , Anglicisation of Gaelic Maol, hill or promontory**Mull of Galloway, Scotland**Mull of Kintyre, Scotland...
and Sky
Sky
The sky is the part of the atmosphere or outer space visible from the surface of any astronomical object. It is difficult to define precisely for several reasons. During daylight, the sky of Earth has the appearance of a pale blue surface because the air scatters the sunlight. The sky is sometimes...
. Those on Mull were doctors to Clan Maclean
Clan MacLean
Clan Maclean is a Highland Scottish clan. They are one of the oldest clans in the Highlands and owned large tracts of land in Argyll as well as the Inner Hebrides. Many early MacLeans became famous for their honour, strength and courage in battle. They were involved in many clan skirmishes with...
and later Clan Fraser of Lovat, they seemed to have eventually been known as Beaton. Also according to Black, the other Beaton family of hereditary doctors, those of Sky, were Bethunes, descended from the Bethunes in Fife, the Bethunes of Balfour. This group were descended from the 5th Bethune of Balfour and settled Sky in the sixteenth century.
The clan Crest as borne by the "Clan MacBeth" Society of North America blazon
Blazon
In heraldry and heraldic vexillology, a blazon is a formal description of a coat of arms, flag or similar emblem, from which the reader can reconstruct the appropriate image...
is a wyvern
Wyvern
A wyvern or wivern is a legendary winged reptilian creature with a dragon's head, two legs , and a barbed tail. The wyvern is found in heraldry. There exists a purely sea-dwelling variant, termed the Sea-Wyvern which has a fish tail in place of a barbed dragon's tail...
"holding in the dexter claw a sword in pale proper, the hilt entwined with two serpents argent and vert". The motto is Conjuncta virtuti fortuna.
The official Clan Bethune Scottish crest badge
Scottish crest badge
A Scottish crest badge is a heraldic badge worn to show allegiance to an individual or membership in a specific Scottish clan. Crest badges are commonly called clan crests, but this is a misnomer; there is no such thing as a collective clan crest, just as there is no such thing as a clan coat of...
as recorded by the Lord Lyon King of Arms
Lord Lyon King of Arms
The Lord Lyon King of Arms, the head of Lyon Court, is the most junior of the Great Officers of State in Scotland and is the Scottish official with responsibility for regulating heraldry in that country, issuing new grants of arms, and serving as the judge of the Court of the Lord Lyon, the oldest...
incorporates the last chief's crest: An otter’s head erased Argent with his motto De bonnaire (Gracious).
Arms
Coat of arms
A coat of arms is a unique heraldic design on a shield or escutcheon or on a surcoat or tabard used to cover and protect armour and to identify the wearer. Thus the term is often stated as "coat-armour", because it was anciently displayed on the front of a coat of cloth...
of the last clan chief, The Bethune of Balfour: Quarterly, 1st & 4th, Azure, a fess between three mascles Or (Bethune); 2nd & 3rd, Argent, on a chevron Sable, an otter’s head erased of the First. These arms are now held by the Earls of Lindsay
Earl of Lindsay
Earl of Lindsay is a title in the Peerage of Scotland. It was created in 1633 for John Lindsay, 10th Lord Lindsay, who later inherited the ancient Earldom of Crawford. The two earldoms remained united until the death of the twenty-second Earl of Crawford, also sixth Earl of Lindsay...
whose surname is Lindesay-Bethune.