BINNEY, BINNIE, BINNING, BINNY.

From the old barony of the name in Uphall, West Lothian, where a family of the name were formerly numerous. The place name Binning in the parish of Whitekirk received its name from the older place in Uphall.

William de Binin, prior of Newbattle, was promoted to Crail, 1243 (Chron. Mail). John Binning or de Bynning was infeoffed in some lands in Edinburgh which had been forfeited by John Slingisbie in the reign of David II (RMS., App.II, 1568). Friar John Benyng was governor of the lands and possessions of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem at Torpichen, 1388 ( Bain, IV, 378 ). Symon de Bynninge or de Benyn, baillie of Aberdeen, 1396-98 (REA., II, p. 294; CRA., p.374). It is probably his seal, attached to a document of 1399, which reads S Simonis de Beny (Macdonald,164). He is probably the Symon Benyn selected to be one of the company to accompany the provost of Aberdeen to the battle of Harlaw, 1411 (Fraser, p. 20). Alexander Benyn, baillie of Aberdeen, 1408-10, also accompanied the provost to Harlaw (CWA., p.315; REA., II, p.275). John de Benyne was a canon of Cambuskeneth Abbey, 1403 (Cambus., 167). William de Bening or de Benyne is recorded as possessing a tenement in Edinburgh, 1414-26 (REG., 324; Egidii, p46).

Richard Benyne appears as burgess of Perth, 1458 and 1463 (RAA.,I,120; Laing, 151 ), and Thomas Benyng in Aberdeen, 1468 (REA.,I,p.300). Nicol Bynnyn, cordiner in Edinburgh, 1510 (EBR., 127), and John Bynne was a painter there, 1572 ( Laing,877). Alexander Bynne held a croft in Aberdeen c. 1550 (REA.,II, p.226), and Sir Robert Bynne was cheplane and singar in the quier there, 1555 (CRA., p 289). Johannes de Benyne was vicar of Strathardil in reign of james II (Scon, p. 89). John Binnie was heir to Elizabeth Binny, 1574 (Retours, linlithgow, 9), and James in Brigend, parish of Morrowingside (Muiravonside), 1636, and eight more of the name are recorded in the neighborhood (Stirling). John Binie was prisoner in Tolbooth of Edinburgh, 1681 (BOEC., VIII, p. 112), and John Binnie of Byrs was heir to lands of Drumcross, etc., 1698 (Retours, Linlithgow, 280). The name was common in Edinburgh in seventeenth century (Edinb. Marr.).

Benieing and Bineing 1686, Benin 1712, Bennie 1614, Benning 1531, Buny 1461, Bynnie 1579, Bynny 1582, Bynnyn 1517, Bynnyne 1533, Bynnyng 1533, Bynnyng 1556, Bynnynge 1563; Bining, Binni, Byning, Bynning.

For an alternative source of the name :

The surname of Binnie or Binny is evidently a contraction of Binning, which appears to have been originally French, Benigne being the name of several persons of learning and distinction both in France and Italy. The first archbishop od Dijon was named St Benigne. In the county of Linlithgow there is an eminence called Binnie Crag, which rises to the height above four hundred and fifty feet. In 1307, during the wars of independence under Robert the Bruce, a peasant named Binny, styled the William Tell of Scotland, by a successful stratagem, obtained possession of the castle of Linlithgow, which was held by an English garrison under Peter Lubard. This daring exploit is related by Tytler in his History of Scotland, (vol.i.p.291).

to be done