David Panter [also written Painter, or Paniter] (died 1 October 1558), Scottish diplomat, clerk and bishop of Ross, was the illegitimate son of Patrick Paniter, secretary to James IV; his mother was Margaret Crichton, illegitimate daughter of and widow countess of Rothes. He and his sister were legitimised on 13 August 1513. He was a university graduate, probably at the University of St. Andrews.