Duchesne, in his ?Histoire de la Maison de Bethune,? derives the Scottish branch from a certain Jacobin de Bethune, who, he says, came to Scotland about 1448, but there are authentic documents to prove that the family were settled in this country as early as 1165. In the end of the reign of William the Lion, or beginning of that of his son, Alexander the Second, Robert de Beton is witness to a charter by Rogerus de Quincy, comes de Wincestre (incorrectly called Winton and sometimes Wigton, in the current genealogies of ancient families), constabularius Scotie, to Seyerus de Seton, of an annuity out of the miln and miln lands of Travernent or Tranent. In a charter of mortification of lands ?in territorio de Kenmuir? (now Kirriemuir) in the county of Angus, to the monks of Aberbrothwick, David de Beton and Joannes de Beton are witnesses. It was in that county that the family of the Bethunes then had their principal possessions. The chief of them was the laird of Westhall, of whom the rest are descended.
In the beginning of the reign of Alexander the Third, about 1250, Dominus David de Betun and Robertus de Betun are, with several others, witnesses to a charter of Christiana de Valoines, Lady Panmure, to John Lydell, of the lands of Balbanin and Panlathine. Among those who swore fealty to Edward the First of England, and were present at the discussion of the pleas for the crown of Scotland betwixt John Baliol and Robert Bruce was Robert de Betune. [See Prynne?s History]; and amongst the seals, yet preserved, that are appended to King Edward?s decision, 1292, is ?sigillum Roberti de Betune de Scotia, which is a fesse, and on a chief of file of three pendants.? Several of this name are witnesses to charters by Duncal earl of Fife.

1. Robert De Betune

1. Type: Book
   Periodical: The Scottish Nation
   Author: W Anderson
   Date: 1862