MENZIES: This name is of Norman origin, being originally de Meyners. In England it assumed the form Manners. An Arketill de Mannvers witnessed a charter by William de Veteri Ponte to the Abbey of Holyrood before 1214 (LSC., p. 213). Robert de Meyners, who was created Great Chamberlain of Scotland, is generally considered first of the name in Scotland. He witnessed charters by Alexander 11 in 1224 (LSC., 63) and 1246 (Scon, p. 51), and the confirmation by the same king of a charter which William, earl of Mar, made to Gilbert de Haya of the lands of Drunlav, 1217 (SCM., II, p. 308). He is probably the Robertus do Meyneiss who witnessed a charter by Alexander II relating to the fugitive serfs in 1248 (Cupar-Angus, I, p. 326). David de Meynness, knight, was one of the queen of Scotland's retinue in 1248 (Bain, I, 1748). Robert de Mesneres, a Scot, an adherent of Henry in of England in 1255 (ibid., I, 1987), is probably Robert de Miners of the diocese of Dunkeld to whom an indult was granted in 1256 (Pap. Lett., I, p. 331). Letters patent were granted by Edward I in 1297 to Alexander de Meygners (Bain, II, 942), probably the Alexander de Meigners who witnessed grant of the office of Constable of Scotland to Sir Gilbert the Hay in 1314 (SCM., II, p. 211), and between 1306-29 witnessed a charter by Robert I to the earl of Ross (REM., 264; Rose, p. 113). Thomas de Meineris was one of the signers of the Barons' letter to the Pope in 1320. Alexander de Meyneris or Meinzeis had a charter of the lands of Durisdeer from Robert I (RMS., I, App. II1,146), and Robert Maynhers had a charter of half the barony of Culter from Robert II in 1385, which his father had resigned (OPS., I, p. 176). John of Menzhers was notary in Perth, 1421 (Athole, p. 706), David Meygnes or Meignes was one of the hostages for King James I in 1425 (Rain, IV, 981,983), and another David Meyner of Weem was a tyrant and oppressor of the people of Orkney in 1424 (REO., p. 37).

The "Red and White" Book of Menzies: the history of Clan Menzies and its chiefs, by D. P. Menzies, F. S. A. Scot., Glasgow, 1894, is one of the most extraordinary family histories ever published. Compiled by a man ignorant of the most elementary principles of historical and genealogical research, the work professes to trace the history of the family from Mannus, second son of King Fergus, E. C. 333, in Gaelic the Menzies's are known collectively as Meinnearach, and there is a local Gaelic form Meinn, whence comes the surnames Mein and Meine, both in current use. The name is now pronounced Meeng-us. Mainzeis 1675, Megnies 1447, Meignees 1421, Meigneis 1448, Meignes 1419, Meignez 1424, Meingnes 1460, Meingzes 1651, Meingzeis 1641, Meinyeis 1630, Meinzeis 1658, Meinzies 1677, Mengues 1487, Mengyeis 1591, Mengzeis 1574, Mengzes 1572, Mengzies 1634, Mennes 1349, Menyas 1424, Menyeis 1500, Menyheis 1431, Menyhes 1428, Menzas, Menzes, Menzeis and Menzeys 1550, Menzheis 1503, Menzis 1446, Moygne 1369.

Scot. (genit.) form of Mennie, q.v.

Before all the menzie, and in her moment of power, the Queen humbled her to the dust by taxing her with her shame.—Scott, The Abbot, XXXI.

The z in this name represents the Middle English 3 = y.

“Black” in Scots. Version of Manners.

(Scottish) One who came from Meyners, in Normandy.

The Menzies, though sometimes considered a Highland clan, are of English origin. Their name was originally Meyners, and as Skene observes, (Scot. Highl. ii. 310) "their arms, and the resemblance of their name, distinctly point them out as a branch of the English family of Manners, and consequently their Norman origin is undoubted." 2. The name, according to Mr. Arthur, has been variously written, "Maynoers, Meyners, then Menys, afterwards Meynes or Mengies, and now Menzies." It is pronounced Mengyies or Mengies. In Gaelic the family are called Menairich. Their habitat is the Perthshire Highlands, where in 1745 the clan could raise three hundred fighting men.

Originally Meyners, and derived from the English family of Manners. The Scottish branch are descended from Robert de Meyners, temp. Alexander II.

Said to be originally Maynoers, Meyners, then Menys afterward Meynes or Mengies, and now Menzies—a branch of the family of Manners, in England, the name being originally the same. I think, rather, the name is derived from the parish of Monzie, in Perthshire, Scotland.

Or De Maners, an early branch of the house of Manners in Scotland, which still bears the ancient arms of the family. Hence the baronets Menzies.

From the French, Mengus (?); a personal name.

Menzies: pronounced “Menies,” derive from the Norman family of Menières, Sieurs de la Gaudinière. In England, Gilbert de Menières held three parts of a knight’s-fee of the Archbishop of York in the reign of Henry II. In Scotland we find Alexander de Meyners, son of Robert, the Chancellor of Scotland, holding the lands of Durrosdeer in Annandale in 1248; he was of the retinue of the Queen of Scotland. It was not till the reign of Malcolm III. that surnames were introduced into Scotland, and that of Menzies was among the first that were adopted.