From a place called Bennachtain, the site of which is unknown to me. William de Bennothine witnessed a grant by David Olifard to the Hospital of Soltre between 1153—77 (Soltre, p. 4), and Nicolas de Benothyne witnessed a charter by William de Moravia in favor of the same hospital between 1278—94 (ibid., p. 40). Nicol de Benauty of Lanarkshire rendered homage in 1296, and in 1303 he appears as vicegerent of the earl of Carrick (Bain, II, p. 213,372). This Nicolas appears to be the first of the name connected with the West Coast. Johannes de Banauthyn, dominus de Currok (now Corehouse) was a charter witness c. 1354 (Kelso, p. 384), and as Johannes de Bennachtyne de le Corrokys resigned the land of Nudre (Niddry) with pertinents in the sheriffdom of Edinburgh, 1362 (RMS., I, 110). In the following year he confirmed the land of Nudre Marescalli to Henry de Nudere (ibid., 143). Richard Bannachtyn, dominus de Corhouse, appears in 1459 (RMS.), and Richard Banauchtyn de Corhouse appears as witness, 1467 (Neubotle, p. 263,314). John Bannatyne of Corhouse in 1662 (RMS.), and Thom of Bannantine of Corhouse, 1684. Sir Richard of Bannochtine of the Corhouse, who flourished c. 1460, sometimes wrote himself 'Bannachty,' and his son is called Sir John Bannatyne. This spelling continued till the time of Charles II, when the proprietor of Corhouse was called indifferently John Bannatyne and John Ballentyne, and his son is described as the son of John Bellenden. Down to recent times the forms Bannatyne and Ballantyne have been used indifferently by brothers of one house, and even by the same individual at different times (Lower, p. 17, from information supplied him by Mr. F. L, Ballantine Dykes c Whitehaven, Cumberland). The Bannatynes of Bute were followers of both the earl of Arngyll and of the Stewarts of Bute, and the laird of Kames, chief of the Bannatyres or MacCamelynes, gave, in 1547, a bond of manrent to Stewart of Bute. Now the Bannatynes are more numerous in Arran than in Bute. Banaghtyn 1304. See Macaomlinn.

For Ballantyne, q.v.

This Scottish name has undergone remarkable changes. "Sir Richard of Bannochtine of the Corhous," who flourished circ. 1460, sometimes wrote himself Bannachty', and his son is called Sir John Bannatyne. This spelling continued till temp. Chas. II., when the proprietor of Corhouse was called indifferently John Bannatyne and Johne Ballentyne, and his son is described as the son of John Ballenden. In fact, down to a recent period, the forms Bannatyne and Ballantyne have been used indifferently by brothers of one house, and even by the same individual at different times. Inf. F. L. B. Dykes, Esq.

A hill where fires were kindled.

Local. A place of ancient pagan worship among the Celts, whose principal deity was Belen or Baal, the sun. To the honor of this deity, the Celts lighted fires on the 1st of May and Midsummer day. Baalantine signifies "the fire of Baal," from Baden and teine, Gaelic, fire.

Local. The name of a place in Scotland, signifying the hill where fires were kindled.

From Bannocktine; a location name in Scotland.