Clan MacBeth

Clan MacBeth is a Highland Scottish Clan originating in the Angus region of Scotland.  The legendary ancestor of the Clan was MacBeth, King of Scotland from 1040 – 1057 and was made famous in Shakespeare’s play, MacBeth.  The surname MacBeth is derived from the Gaelic term MacBheatha mac Fhionnlaigh which in english translates into Macbeth son of Findlay. The surnames Beaton an Bethune are thought to be of the same family as MacBeth’s with Beaton being considered an anglicized version of MacBeth.

The motto of the clan is Conjunctio Vertuti Fortuna which translates into “Fortune is allied to Bravery”, and the crest features A dexter arm in armour embowed holding in the hand a swoard All Proper .

The Beaton’s, a family derived from the MacBeth Clan, settle in Islay Scotland in the 12th century and became the physicians and senachies for the MacDonald Clan.  According to tradition the Beaton’s were ahead of their time as physicians and they spread their learning through out the Hebrides.  They became hereditary doctors for the Isle of Mull and also provided Medical needs to the Macleans.  They were also known for their extensive medical library with many of the texts written in Greek, Latin and Persian.  The library was lost after Reverend John Beaton move to Ulster in the 17th century to avoid being forced to conform to Presbyterianism.  The last of the hereditary Beaton Physicians was Neil Beaton who died in 1763.

There is currently no chief of Clan MacBeth and traditionally they were often considered to be affiliated with Clan MacDonald, Clan Maclean and Clan MacBean, based on where they resided in Scotland.

Septs and Dependents – Beaton, Beton

Further Reading:

The Real Story of MacBeth
The Top Ten Brutal Scottish Clan Massacres
Top 10 Haunted Scottish Castles
Top 10 Surprising facts you may not know about Scottish Clans