Collection: Menzies

Clan Menzies

Crest: A savage’s head, full-faced, proper.
Motto: “Vil God I Zal” (God willing, I shall).

History

The surname Menzies originates from the Norman name Mesnières in Normandy. The family first came to Scotland in the 12th century, where they were granted lands in Lothian and later in Perthshire. The Menzies family rose to prominence under Robert the Bruce, receiving charters for extensive lands.

The clan’s territory was centered in Atholl, Glen Lyon, and Rannoch, making them a powerful Highland family with extensive influence in the central Highlands. Their seat was the impressive Castle Menzies, near Aberfeldy in Perthshire, a stronghold built in the 16th century that remains a symbol of the clan.

The Menzies clan played important roles during Scotland’s turbulent history. They supported the Royalist cause during the Wars of the Three Kingdoms, and later, different branches of the clan supported both the Jacobite risings and the Hanoverians, showing the divided loyalties within many Highland clans.

Crest & Motto

• The clan crest features the head of a savage (wild man), symbolic of strength and endurance.

• The motto, “Vil God I Zal”, meaning “God willing, I shall”, reflects determination and faith.

Tartan

The Menzies tartan is one of the most distinctive in Scotland, with its red and white checkered (gingham-like) pattern, sometimes called the "Menzies Red and White". It is instantly recognizable among Scottish tartans.

Seat

The clan seat is Castle Menzies, a fine example of 16th-century Scottish Renaissance architecture, located near Weem, Perthshire.