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his clan's
ancestor is MacBeth (1005-1057), Mormaer (High Steward) of Moray,
whose mother Doada (or Donalda) was the daughter of Scotland's King
Malcolm II and Blanaid (who was the |
daughter
of the Irish High King (Ard Ri) Brian Boru and his first wife
Deidgre). He married Gruoch, daughter of Boedhe who was the son of
Kenneth III. So MacBeth was the grandson of King Malcolm II and his
wife was the granddaughter of King Kenneth III.
Under the
ancient law of the Scots he had as much claim to the throne of
Scotland as King Duncan I. He was commander for Duncan I, whom he
defeated and slew, thereby becoming king. Macbeth was proclaimed
king, and Scotland prospered during his reign. He was later defeated
by Malcom, the son of Duncan.
It is a
generally held opinion by Scotch historians that if MacBeth had not
been killed by the future King Malcolm III, Scotland would probably
have remained a separate nation until this day and might have
conquered England. MacBeth was originally from Moray and records show
that he used his power for the good of his country.
MACBETH /
MACBEATH: Perhaps the best remembered is Shakespeare's arch-hero, and
whose peaceful reign was far from the tale related by the 'bard' -
although he did in fact die in battle, at Lumphanan - not when Birnam
Wood moved to Dunsinane as is often believed. The name MacBeatha was
also that of a family of physicians who served the Lords of the
Isles, and such are thought to have originally come from Ireland in
the train of a Macdonald bride. On the fall of the Lordship in 1493
they migrated to various locations along the western seaboard, but
mainly to Pennycross on Mull, where they exercised their `physic'
(medicine) under the Macleans.
Others duly
removed to the shires of Inverness, Sutherland & Easter Ross and
the name was also found in Moray where they had association with the Macbeans.
In Angus,
'MacBeths' received a charter from David II in 1369, but this family
were of the ancestral line of the Fife Bethunes, who anciently held
lands in the area. The later history of the MacBeths, the Highland
Beatons and Bethunes has become hopelessly confused for, in the
various lands with which they are associated, both forms were used,
often referring to the same family, sometimes even to the same person.
Their story
became even more complicated when many MacBeths anglicised their name
to Beaton and became further confused with a lineage of Bethunes, who
also had tradition of `physic' and practised in Skye. These latter
were also of Fife ancestry, one of whom had been enticed north to
pursue his healing arts.
Many former
MacBeths now bear such names as `MacVeigh' (from Gaelic `Bh' = `V') -
a common form on Mull, or `Leich', (from the popular name for their
occupation). No chief has been recognized and tradition records that
they held various affiliations with the Macdonalds, Macleans or
Macbeans. Specific clan association should not be assumed without
genealogical or geographical evidence, and in the absence of such the
MacBeth tartan, now over 100 years old and based on the Royal Stewart
pattern with a blue background edged with yellow, may quite
appropriately be used by all of the name.
The
Beatons: (a derivative of the MacBeth Clan)
The Beatons
settled in Islay in the time of Angus of Islay, grandfather of John
1st Lord of the Isles, and became physicians and senachies to the
Chief of MacDonald. Thiers was much advanced over what passed for
medical science in much of Europe at the time. By the 15th century
they possesed the teachings of Avicenna, the Persian physician, in
Gaelic, well before they were translated into English.
The Beatons
spread thier learning to Skye, Mull and the Outer Hebrides. A branch
of the family moved to Pennyghael and became hereditary doctors for
the Isle of Mull. They were also physicians and seneachies to the MacLeans
The family was
renowned for their library, which contained many ancient volummes of
poetry, history and legend, as well as many Greek and Persian medical
text. The manuscripts ranged from the works of Hippocrates to ancient
Irish legend to medieval French works. Among the volummes was the
earliest account of the fall of Troy translated into any European
language other than Latin. The library was last in the possession of
the Episcopal minister Rev. John Beaton who moved to Ulster rather
than conform to Presbyterianism. He died in Ulster in the 1690s or
early 1700s and the library vanished with his death.
A medical
manuscript written by Fergus McVeagh(MacBeth) of the Mull family is
preserved in the library of the University of Edinburgh.
It should be
noted that the MacBeath family has no connection to King MacBeth
whose name was actually Maol Bheatha. However one renders his name it
is his given mane and not a surname.
The surname
Leach/Leitch is an occupational name for a doctor, that was adopted
by some branches of this family. For info on that family the
Leach/Leitch page.
The Beatons
are often confused with the Bethunes, so see the Bethune page for
more info on them.
The name
MacVay or MacBay is a variant of Baeton/MacBeath so see the MacVay
page for more info on them.
Various
branches of the family have, at one time or another, been adherents
of the MacLeans, MacLeods, and the MacDonalds.
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