Show ContentsMacBeth History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The western coast of Scotland and the desolate Hebrides islands are the ancient home of the MacBeth family. Their name is derived from the names of Macbeth and Bethune, or Beaton. The Macbeth and Bethune families, who were hereditary physicians to the Chiefs of Macdonald, practiced medicine on the Isles during the Middle Ages and their names merged in English into the one surname of Beaton. The Macbeths were concentrated in Islay and Mull, whereas the Beatons were concentrated in Skye.

Early Origins of the MacBeth family

The surname MacBeth was first found in the Isle of Islay, where legend has it that the progenitor of this Clan is none other than Macbeth (Mac Bethad mac Findláich) (1005-1057), the High Steward of Moray. As his mother was a daughter of King Kenneth III, and he married Grudoch, a daughter of the son of King Kenneth III, he had as much of a claim to the Scottish throne as King Duncan I. MacBeth, therefore, challenged Duncan and defeated him in battle in 1040, assuming the throne.

Known in English simply as Macbeth, he was last Celtic king of Scotland, ruling from 1040 to 1057, when he died in battle against future king Malcolm of the Canmore dynasty.

He is best known through the Shakespearean drama bearing his name. Thespians rarely mention the play by the name and typically call it "the Scottish play" as they believe that by uttering the name brings one bad luck.

Early History of the MacBeth family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our MacBeth research. Another 184 words (13 lines of text) covering the years 1545, 1600, 1609 and 1763 are included under the topic Early MacBeth History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

MacBeth Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: McBeth, Beaton, Beeton, MacBeth, MacBeaton, McBee and many more.

Early Notables of the MacBeth family

More information is included under the topic Early MacBeth Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States MacBeth migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

MacBeth Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • James Macbeth, who landed in Mississippi in 1839 [1]
  • Kenneth W. Macbeth, aged 26, who immigrated to the United States, in 1893
  • Henry Macbeth, aged 34, who settled in America, in 1894
  • Ida Macbeth, aged 30, who immigrated to the United States, in 1894
  • George A. Macbeth, aged 50, who landed in America, in 1896
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
MacBeth Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Miss Macbeth, who landed in America, in 1903
  • Daniel MacBeth, aged 22, who landed in America from Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1907
  • James Macbeth, who landed in America, in 1909
  • John Hill Macbeth, aged 26, who landed in America from Ballymena, Ireland, in 1909
  • Alice Macbeth, aged 8, who landed in America, in 1910
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Canada MacBeth migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

MacBeth Settlers in Canada in the 20th Century
  • Annie Macbeth, aged 45, who settled in London Ont, Canada, in 1910
  • Catherina Macbeth, aged 51, who immigrated to London, Ontario, in 1912
  • George MacBeth, aged 38, who settled in Kamloops, Canada, in 1914
  • James Malcolm MacBeth, aged 3, who immigrated to Kamloops, Canada, in 1914
  • Jessie Alice Macbeth, aged 36, who settled in Kamloops, Canada, in 1914
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name MacBeth (post 1700) +

  • Charles Macbeth (1805-1881), American politician, 37th Mayor of Charleston (1857-1865)
  • Florence MacBeth (1891-1966), American operatic soprano
  • John Macbeth, American politician, Postmaster at Newark, Delaware, 1808-09 [2]
  • Hugh E. MacBeth, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from California, 1952 [2]
  • Evan D. Macbeth, American Democratic Party politician, Presidential Elector for Virginia, 2012 [2]
  • George Mann MacBeth (1932-1992), Scottish poet and novelist awarded a Geoffrey Faber Memorial Prize
  • Robert Walker Macbeth (1848-1910), Scottish painter, etcher and watercolourist
  • Ryan MacBeth (b. 1991), Scottish football midfielder
  • John Palmer MacBeth (1921-1991), Canadian politician who represented York West, Ontario (1971-1975) and Humber (1975-1981)
  • Ann Macbeth (1875-1948), English embroideress and author of five books on embroidery, including Educational Needlecraft (1911), Needleweaving (1922), Embroidered Lace and Leatherwork (1924), and Countrywoman's Rug Book (1926)
  • ... (Another 3 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)


The MacBeth Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Conjuncta virtuti fortuna
Motto Translation: Good fortune is allied to bravery


  1. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
  2. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, November 12) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html


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