Bethuan History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland

The roots of the Bethuan surname reach back to the language of the Viking settlers who populated the rugged shores of Scotland in the Medieval era. The Bethuan surname comes from someone having lived in Béthune in Pas-de-Calais, Picardy, France.

Early Origins of the Bethuan family

The surname Bethuan was first found in Perthshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Pheairt) former county in the present day Council Area of Perth and Kinross, located in central Scotland, where they acquired lands. "This illustrious name is traceable, beyond question, to Robert, surnamed Faisseus, seigneur of the town of Bethune, in Artois, in the year 1000, and there is good reason to suppose that he was a descendant of the ancient Counts of Artois." 1

Early History of the Bethuan family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bethuan research. Another 140 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1296, 1332, 1470, 1494, 1539, 1545, 1546 and 1778 are included under the topic Early Bethuan History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bethuan Spelling Variations

Few standards of spelling and translation existed in the Middle Ages. spelling variations, are thus, an extremely common occurrence in records of ancient Scottish names. Over the years, Bethuan has been spelled Bethune, Betune and others.

Early Notables of the Bethuan family

Another 30 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Bethuan Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Bethuan family

Land and opportunity greeted all those who made it across the Atlantic. These settlers and their children went on to play important roles in the forging of the great nations of the United States and Canada. Clan societies and other Scottish organizations have preserved much of this heritage for the ancestors of those brave Scots. Immigration and passenger lists have documented the arrival of various people bearing the name Bethuan to North America: Anne Bethune who settled in New York in 1822; followed by N. Bethune in New York in 1825.

The Bethuan 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: Debonnair
Motto Translation: Graceful.

Citations +

Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.