Show ContentsBeane History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Beane

What does the name Beane mean?

The history of the Beane family begins among the Pictish clans ancient Scotland. The name Beane comes from the Gaelic word Beathan or betha which means life. Bean was also the name of a saint in the Breviary of Aberdeen.

Early Origins of the Beane family

The surname Beane was first found in Aberdeen (part of the modern Grampian region), where one of the first times the name arose was a Bean who was a magistrate circa 1210. It is known, however, that the MacBains moved to Invernessshire, as sod bearers to the Chiefs of the great Clan Chattan (a powerful confederation of early Clans). The name literally means "son of the fair lad," and was frequently translated to MacBean (Bain.)

Saint Bean or Beyn (fl. 1011), was, according to Fordun, appointed first bishop of Murthlach by Malclom II, at the instance of Pope Benedict VIII. A fragment of the charter of Malcolm II (1003-1029?), preserved in the register of the diocese of Aberdeen confirms this claim. 1 However, St. Bean is distinctly referred to as a native of Ireland: 'In Hybernia natalis Beani primi episcopi Aberdonensis et confessoris'. 1

Early History of the Beane family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Beane research. Another 139 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1400, 1411, 1550 and 1745 are included under the topic Early Beane History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Beane Spelling Variations

In the Middle ages, spelling and translation were not yet regulated by any general rules. spelling variations in names were common even among members of one family unit. Beane has appeared Bean, Beane, Beyn, Bayn, Bene, Bane, Baine, Beine, Bayne, Beyne, Been, Beaine, MacBain, MacBean, MacVain, MacBean, MacVan and many more.

Early Notables of the Beane family

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

Beane Ranking

In the United States, the name Beane is the 4,504th most popular surname with an estimated 7,461 people with that name. 2

Migration of the Beane family to Ireland

Some of the Beane family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Beane migration to the United States +

Faced by this persecution and the generally unstable political climate of those days, many Scots chose to leave their homeland for Ireland, Australia, and North America in search of greater opportunity and freedom. The colonies across the Atlantic were the most popular choice, but a passage there was neither cheap nor easily suffered. Passengers arrived sick and poor, but those who made it intact often found land and more tolerant societies in which to live. These brave settlers formed the backbone of the burgeoning nations of Canada and the United States. It is only this century that the ancestors of these families have begun to recover their collective identity through the patriotic highland games and Clan societies that have sprung up throughout North America. Research into early immigration and passenger lists revealed many immigrants bearing the name Beane:

Beane Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Christopher Beane, aged 40, who landed in Virginia in 1618 aboard the ship "Neptune" 3
  • William Beane, aged 25, who landed in Virginia in 1618 aboard the ship "Diana" 3
  • Mr. Ralph Beane, (Bayne, Bean), (1615 - 1655), who left England and arrived in Maryland in 1634 aboard the ship "Ark and Dove" 3
  • Steeven Beane, aged 20, who landed in Virginia in 1635 aboard the ship "Transport" 3
  • Tho Beane, aged 21, who landed in Virginia in 1635 aboard the ship "Primrose" 3
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Beane Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Peter Beane, who landed in Virginia in 1700 3
  • Alexander Beane, who arrived in Virginia in 1717 3
  • John Will Beane, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1767 3
Beane Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Juan Beane, who landed in New Spain in 1836 3
  • Christina Beane, aged 27, who landed in New York, NY in 1876 3

Beane migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Beane Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mr. William Beane, (b. 1863), aged 23, Cornish settler travelling aboard the ship "Merkara" arriving in Queensland, Australia on 9th February 1886 4

Contemporary Notables of the name Beane (post 1700) +

  • Vanilla Powell Beane (1919-2022), born Vanilla Powell, known as "DC's Hat Lady", an American milliner and businesswoman
  • Carleton E. Beane, has been an American sports radio broadcaster since 1972
  • Douglas Carter Beane, American playwright and screenwriter
  • Lieutenant James Dudley Beane (1896-1918), American World War I flying ace credited with six aerial victories
  • Lama W. Beane, American Republican politician, Candidate for West Virginia State Senate 9th District, 1948, 1952, 1956 5
  • J. E. Beane, American Republican politician, Candidate for West Virginia State House of Delegates from Kanawha County, 1960 5
  • J. D. Beane, American Democratic Party politician, Member of West Virginia State House of Delegates 10th District, 1991-97 5
  • George R. Beane, American politician, Mayor of Cranston, Rhode Island, 1953-54 5
  • Fred Emery Beane (b. 1853), American Democratic Party politician, Secretary of Maine Democratic Party, 1888-98; Maine Democratic State Chair, 1908-09 5
  • Frank Beane, American Democratic Party politician, Alternate Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Mississippi, 1952 5
  • ... (Another 2 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

RMS Titanic
  • Mr. Edward Beane, aged 32, American Second Class passenger from New York City, New York who sailed aboard the RMS Titanic and survived the sinking escaping on life boat 13 6
  • Mrs. Ethel Beane, (née Clarke), aged 19, English Second Class passenger from Norwich, Norfolk who sailed aboard the RMS Titanic and survived the sinking escaping on life boat 13 6
USS Indianapolis
  • James Albert Beane (1927-2000), American crew member on board the ship "USS Indianapolis" when she was on a top secret trip for the first nuclear weapon, she was sunk by Japanese Navy on 30th July 1945, he survived the sinking 7


The Beane 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: Touch not the catt bot a targe
Motto Translation: Touch not the cat without a shield.


  1. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
  2. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  3. 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)
  4. Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retreived 3rd May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_australia_queensland.pdf
  5. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 19) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
  6. Titanic Passenger List - Titanic Facts. (Retrieved 2016, July 13) . Retrieved from http://www.titanicfacts.net/titanic-passenger-list.html
  7. Final Crew List, retrieved 2021, October 30th Retrieved from https://www.ussindianapolis.com/final-crew


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