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Clan Bethune (Tartans, Crest) and The Story Behind

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Bethune

Gaelic Name: Macbheatha

Clan Crest: Crest Description: An otter’s head erased, Argent

Clan Motto: De Bonnaire (Gracious)

Origin of Name: From town in Nord-Pas-de-Calais, France

Lands: Fife and Angus

Region: Markinch

Historic Seat: Balfour, Fife

Clan Chief: None, armigerous clan

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Clan Bethune History

The name derives from the same-named town in France in the 12th century. Between 1165 and 1190, Robert de Betunia appears as a witness in a charter of De Quinci. Around this time, the name was frequently spelled Betun or Beton, and it was frequently confused with the name Beaton in the 16th century.

Around 1211, John de Beton, a cleric of the diocese of Dunkeld, witnessed a confirmation charter of the church of Ruthven to the Abbey of Arbroath. Between 1214 and 1226, David de Betun and John de Betun witnessed a grant of land in Kerimor to the same property.In 1296, Andrew de Byetoine paid homage in Forfar, and Sir David de Betune paid homage in Dundee.

In 1291, Sir Robert de Betune swore fealty at St Andrews, and in 1296, Andrew de Betton of Perthshire paid homage.In 1395, Johannes de Beton participated in an inquest on the marches of Kyrknes and Louchor. In 1526, William Bettoun of Wosthall testified.

The name Bethune can still be found on land in Fife and Angus.

The St Andrews Seal features a cinque foil in dexter chief and S'Andree de Bettvne.

Cardinal and Archbishop David Beaton is the most well-known bearer of this name.

Clan Bethune Places & People

People of Clan Bethune

Alexander Bethune was born in 1804 and died in 1843.

In 1838, he published Tales and Sketches of Scottish Peasantry. He began as a laborer before becoming a turnkey at Glasgow Prison, where he released Scottish Peasant's Fireside in 1842.

Henry Norman Bethune was born in 1890 and died in 1939.

Canadian physician, medical pioneer, and outspoken anti-fascist. Bethune was born into a prominent Scots-Canadian family. During the Spanish Civil War, he served as a frontline surgeon, and later with the Communist Eighth Route Army (Ba Lu Jun) during the Second Sino-Japanese War. He was known for bringing modern medicine to rural China, much to Mao Zedong's delight.

He was an outspoken communist and anti-war campaigner, and he has numerous statues throughout China.

Clan Bethune Locations

Corrie Fee is associated with Clan Bethune and is located in Glen Clova, Angus, in eastern Scotland.

Clan Bethune Tartans

There is no registered Bethune tartan, but they may wear the MacBeth Tartan.

Modernized Macbeth

Clan Bethune Crest & Coats of Arms

Clan Bethune Coat of Arms

Worn by everyone with the same name and ancestry

Description of the Crest:

Crest Description: Argent, an otter's head erased

Coat of Arms of Clan Bethune

A word about Coats of Arms:

A coat of arms is granted to an individual under Scottish heraldic law (with the exception of civic or corporate arms). A 'family coat of arms' does not exist. With the exceptions noted above, the arms depicted below are personal arms. Only the person who has been granted these weapons has the right to use them.