BALLANTYNE

(origin: 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 Baalen and teine, Gaelic, fire.

Arthur, William (1857) An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names. New York: Sheldon, Blakeman. Public Domain.

BALLANTYNE. This Scottish name has undergone remarkalile changes. " Sir Bichard of Bannochtine of the Corhous," ■who flourished cu"c. 1400, sometimes wrote himself Banuachty', and his son is called Sir John BannatjTie. This spelling continued till temp. Chas. II., when the proprietor of Corhouse was called indifierently John Baimatyne and Johne Balleutyne, 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 iudilTerently b} lirotliers of one house, and even by the same individual at different times. Inf. F. L. B. Dykes, Esq.

Lower, Mark A (1860) Patronymica Britannica: a dictionary of the family names of the United Kingdom. London: J.R. Smith. Public Domain.