This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Menzies in ireland Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/DYC.2ACE/610.1 Message Board Post: Menzies is a purely Scottish name and originally was derived from a Norman family from the town of Mesnieres in France. The name became anglicised to Manners and were ancestors of the present Dukes of Rutland. Sir Robert de Meyneris gained patronage at the court of Alexander II of Scotland and received grants of land in Glen Lyon. His son Robert was a companion-in-arms of Robert the Bruce. The eighth chief, another Robert, built the castle at Weems in 1488. In 1655 Sir Alexander Menzies was created a Baron of Nova Scotia and his brother, Col. James Menzies was a veteran of the Civil War being wounded nine times. The Menzies Clan supported the "Old Pretender" but Menzies of Culdares was captured and spent many years in exile in Maryland. Later the Menzies fought for Bonnie Prince Charlie. The Menzies baronetcy became extinct on the death of Sir Neil Menzies of Menzies in 1910 or threabouts. Menzies castle fell into disrepair and is now looked after by the Clan Menzies Society! and the present chief lives in Australia. In Scotland the name is properly pronounced "Ming-iss" and not as it looks when written. The name is rare in Ireland. Further information on the menzies Clan can be found in any of the books on the history of the Scottish Clans. The motto is "Vil God I zal" and the crest a savage head erased proper. I have not seen any reference to John Turner Menzies as yet.