Of territorial origin from the lands of Wemyss in Fife. The first known of the name was Michael de Methkil (which see) who was variously called by that title or by that of de Wemys. In the beginning of the thirteenth century Michael de Wemeth witnessed a charter by Thomas filius Thancardi in favor of the Abbey of Arnbroath (RAA., I, p. 69). Gamel, bishop of St. Andrews, in 1261 confirmed a charter by Sir John, son of Michael de Wemys, of the church of Wemys to the Hospital of Soltre (Soltre, p. 34). Michael de Wemys witnessed gift of the lands of Lamabride to William de Moray, c. 1268 (REM., p. 461). Sir David Wemyss was chosen ambassador to Norway in 1286 partly because he "of the langage weile couth ken" (Wyntoun, S. T. S. ed., V, p. 161). Sir Michael Wemyss rendered homage in 1296 (Bain, II, p. 187), but ten years later his possessions were singled out by Edward I for special savage treatment, when Aymer de Valence was ordered "to burn, destroy and strip" his lands and gardens because he (Edward)"has found neither good speech nor good service in him" (ibid., 1787). David de Wemes or Wemys, who was juror on an inquisition held at Perth in 1304 (ibid., II, 1592), witnessed the homage of Duncan, earl of Fife, to the abbot of Dunfermline, 1316 (RD., p. 236), and an obligation by Robert, abbot of Dunfermline, 1326 (RHM., I. p. 34). John Wemys of that Ilk was one of the conservators of the three years' truce in 1484 (Bain, IV, p. 309), and James Wemysse was genera] of artelerie' in Scotland, 1666 (Wemyss, II, p. 247). In the Muster Rolls of the Scots Guards in France the name appears as Oysmes. Vemis 1549, Vemys 1525, Vemyss 1518, Veyrrus 1533, Weemes, Weems, and Wemis 1597, Weemyss 1661, Weimes 1596, Weimis 1598, Weims 1591, Weimys 1600, Wemis 1502, Wemise 1586, Wemyes 1436, Weymes 1586, Weymis 1678, Weyms 1619, Wymes 1414, Wymess 1734.

(Celtic + English) belonging to Wemyss (Scot.); or Dweller by the Caves [v. Wem (Celtic), and + the English pl. suff. -s] The coast [at Wemyss, co. Fife], which is bold and rocky, extends a considerable distance into the sea, and is perforated with many caves. One of these caves extends 200 feet in length, and in another James IV was entertained by gipsies.— National Gazetteer of Great Britain and Ireland (1868)

A parish in Fifeshire. This ancient family are still "of that Ilk," Wemyss Castle, a large and magnificent building, being the abode of the head of the family. More accounts than one are given of the origin of the family of Wemyss; but all agree as to their being derived from Macduff, Maormor of Fife, in the reign of Malcolm Canmore. They are therefore one of the very few Lowland families who, through the male line, can claim kindred with Celtic blood. The lands now forming the parish of Wemyss are said to have been part of the estate of Macduff, Shakspeare's well-known Thane of Fife. According to Sibbald, Gillimichael, the third in descent from Macduff, had a son named Hugo, who obtained these lands from his father. . . The present proprietor of the estate, J. H. E. Wemyss, Esq., is twenty-sixth in direct descent from Hugo, the son of Gillimichael." Gaz. Scotl. Another statement makes the originator of the family Michael de Wemyss, second son of Duncan, fifth Earl of Fife, who died in 1165. The Earl of Wemyss descends from a younger son.

Local: from the town of Wemyss in Fifeshire. The family are descended from John, son of Macduff, Thane of Fife, who assumed the name from his lands.

Local. First assumed by the proprietors of the lands anciently called Wemyss—shire, in Fife—shire, Scotland, which contained all that tract of ground lying between the lower part of the waters of Ore, and the sea. These lands received their name from the great number of caves that are there, all along the sea—coast. A cave in the old Gaelic or Celtic, was called vumhs or uamh; from that these lands received the name of Vumhs—shire—Wemys—shire. The family of Wemyss derive their origin from the family of Macduff, Maormor of Fife, in the reign of Malcom Canmore. The lands now forming the parish of Wemyss, are said to have been part of the estate of Macduff, Shakespeare's well—known Thane of Fife.

(Scotch), Uaimhs, Caves.