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Clan Menzies (Tartans, Crest) and The Story Behind

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Menzies

Gaelic Name: Mèinnearach

Clan Crest: A savage head erased, Proper

Clan Motto: Vil God I Zal (With God I shall)

Origin of Name: Norman, de Meyners

Clan Badge: Menzies’ heath

Lands: Atholl, Weem, Aberfeldy, and Glendochart

Clan Chief: David Menzies of Menzies

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Menzies Clan History

The Norman family's name was changed to Manners, the surname of the Dukes of Rutland, after they moved to Mesnieres in Normandy. A branch of this family moved to Lothian, then to the Highlands of Scotland, where they were known as de Meyneris, and then as Menzies.

Robert de Meyneris first appeared at Alexander II's court, where he gained royal patronage and rose to the position of Chamberlain of Scotland in 1249.The Menzies family became established within the earldom of Atholl, and Alexander Menzies, Robert's son, was granted property in the Strathtay district. To this day, many families with the surname Menzies can be found in the area. Alexander was also given the property of Weem, though it took another two centuries for the castle to be built there.

The Menzies family achieved even more success by assisting Robert the Bruce; by the time of his death, the Menzies' possessions extended almost as far as Loch Lomond.

Another branch of the clan boasted an Orkney and Shetland governor.

James IV granted a charter converting the Menzies' lands into a barony in the sixteenth century. The clan was now speaking Gaelic, and the chief was known as "Am Mainnearach," which translates as "The Menzies."

Colonel James Menzies of the Menzies family was responsible for introducing the larch tree to Scotland, which now thrives throughout the Highlands. The original trees, brought from the Tyrol in 1737, can still be seen in the grounds of the Duke of Atholl's residence.

Menzies Castle, the clan's family seat, was used as a Polish army medical stores department during WWII and was saved from decay by the Clan Menzies Society, which is now restoring the building.

Menzies Places & People

Menzies Clan Members

David Menzies (circa the 15th century)

Governor of Orkney and Shetland in the fifteenth century, a position of great political importance at the time.

Gordon Menzies was born in 1927.

BBC Scotland's producer. In 1971, he published "Who are the Scots?" another well-known writer.

Menzies Tartans

Menzies Green Aged

Menzies Green Contemporary

Black and white Menzies

Menzies Crest & Coats of Arms

Clan Menzies Crest

Crest Description: An erased savage head, Proper

Coats of Arms of Menzies:

A word about Coats of Arms:

A coat of arms is granted to an individual under Scottish heraldic law (with the exception of civic or corporate arms). A 'family coat of arms' does not exist. With the exceptions noted above, the arms depicted below are personal arms. Only the person who has been granted these weapons has the right to use them.