Ballantyne

[ScatBitch]

I would be grateful to receive any info on where I could find the Ballantyne 'Coat of Arms' or indeed a 'Family Crest'. The Ballantynes were associated with the 'Stuarts of Bute at one time, any info would be appreciated. Thank you.

[canascot]

I have been searching for family crests and history as well. I have found info that ties us to the clan campbell. However I just discovered that there is an alternate spelling for Ballantyne. It is Bannatyne. I don't know if you have found this out, if not I hope it helps. I also found many family crests and coat of arms on a web site called house of names. Best of luck on your search,

Keavn .A. Ballantyne

[Polwarth]

Hello
I vaguely recalled finding some info on the surname Ballantyne and Bannatyne for a previous enquirer - here's a copy of what I wrote then!

BTW - there is no such thing as a 'family' crest - Coats of Arms were granted (matriculated) to one person called, for instance, Ballantyne. That CoA was his and his alone - his children could use it, with a slight variation to show that they were his children, and so on down his direct line. It does not mean that everyone called Ballantyne has a right to display that CoA. However, if a name had a clan chief (eg the Campbells or MacDonalds) then clan members (or clan society members in modern terms) are allowed to wear the Chief's arms, surrounded by a buckled belt - this shows allegiance to the Chief of the name.

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Ballantyne - reply to an earlier query.

The name appears to be a derivative of the earlier Scottish name Bannatyne - and that name is claimed as septs by both Campbell and Stuarts of Bute. However, when I did a net search - it was claimed on some sites, but not on others! If indeed the name is sept to those two clans then you can wear the tartan of either (if you can work out WHICH clan your family actually was a member of, so much the better!)

Another fact said that Bannatyne had links to the Selkirk area of Scotland. This is in the Borders and the name may very well have never been part of a clan as such - as Clans were, traditionally, a highland phenomenon. However, a number of the Borders Families now call themselves clans.

You need to check back to your ancestor who first arrived in your country. Then, hopefully, you would be able to work out where in Scotland his/her family originated and this may make your task a little easier!

A famous Ballantyne was RM Ballantyne. He wrote boys' adventure stories - my brother had a couple of his books, but the only one I can remember is 'Coral Island'.