Clan Bethune (Bethune Tartan)

1. About Clan Bethune (Bethune Tartan) Gaelic Name: Macbheatha Crest: Crest Description: An otter’s head erased, Argent 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 2. Clan Bethune History (Bethune Tartan) The town with the same name gave rise to...

1. About Clan Bethune (Bethune Tartan)

Gaelic Name: Macbheatha
Crest: Crest Description: An otter’s head erased, Argent
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

2. Clan Bethune History (Bethune Tartan)

The town with the same name gave rise to the name in France in the 12th century. Between 1165 and 1190, a charter of De Quinci lists Robert de Betunia as a witness.

During this time, the name was frequently spelled Betun or Beton, and in the 16th century, Beaton was frequently mistaken for it.

 

 

A confirmation charter from the church of Ruthven to the Abbey of Arbroath was witnessed by John de Beton, a priest from the diocese of Dunkeld, in the year 1211.

Between 1214 and 1226, David de Betun and John de Betun were present when the same property received a land grant in Kerimor.In 1296, Sir David de Betune and Andrew de Byetoine paid tribute in Dundee and Forfar, respectively.

In 1291 at St. Andrews, Sir Robert de Betune vowed fealty, and in 1296, Andrew de Betton of Perthshire paid homage.

One of the witnesses at a 1395 inquiry on the marches of Kyrknes and Louchor was Johannes de Beton. In 1526, a witness was William Bettoun of Wosthall.

The Bethune family had land in Fife and Angus, both of which still bear their name.

A cinque foil in dexter chief and the inscription "St. Andrews" appear on the seal.

The Cardinal and Archbishop David Beaton is the person with this name who is most known.

3. Clan Bethune Tartans

Although there isn't a certified Bethune tartan, they can wear the MacBeth Tartan instead.

 

MacBeth modern

4. Clan Bethune Crest & Coats of Arms

4.1 Clan Bethune Crest

Worn by all of the name and ancestry

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

4.2 Clan Bethune Coat of Arms

Note on Coats of Arms: A coat of arms is given 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 exclusions listed above, the weapons depicted below are personal weapons. The only person authorized to use these weapons is the grantee.

 

 

BETHUNE (plain)
Azure, a fess, between three mascles, Or
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 field
Bethune of Creich

5. Clan Bethune Places & People

5.1 Clan Bethune Places

Clan Bethune is connected to Corrie Fee, who resides in the eastern Scottish town of Glen Clova, Angus.

 

5.2 Clan Bethune People

5.2.1 Alexander Bethune (1804-1843)

Tales and Sketches of Scottish Peasantry, written by a Scottish poet, was published in 1838. At Glasgow Prison, where he first worked as a laborer, he rose to the position of turnkey and introduced Scottish Peasant's Fireside in 1842.

 

5.2.2 Henry Norman Bethune (1890 – 1939)

Doctor from Canada, pioneer in medicine, and well-known opponent of fascism. Bethune hailed from a well-known Canadian-Scottish family.

He served in the Communist Eighth Route Army (Ba Lu Jun) during the Second Sino-Japanese War after initially serving as a combat surgeon in the Spanish Civil War. Mao Zedong really admired him for introducing modern medicine to rural China.

He was a vocal opponent of war and a communist; as a result, he has numerous sculptures throughout China.