Menzies suggests origins in Mesnieres-en-Bray, Normandy, France.
Believed to be originally pronounced de Mingies, it varied somewhat:
de Menzies, de Meyners, de Mengues, Meyers and of course, Menzies.
The Dukes of Rutland adopted yet another variant, that of Manners.

In 1249, Alexander II, King of Scotland, appointed Robert de Mesnieres Lord High Chamberlain, granting him lands in Weem and Aberfeldy. Robert?s son, Sir Alexander de Meyners, said to be a good man, held Weem, Aberfeldy and Fortingall in Atholl. He passed these Perthshire lands onto his son Thomas, along with other lands in Scotland the family had acquired. Before Alexander II died, Menzies lands stretched from Aberfeldy to Loch Lomond. There are many striking images of Castle Menzies readily available on the internet.
This area is of particular interest to me as my father?s mother was born there in 1885.

Helen ?Nelly? Beattie Stewart was born 1885 Logierait Perthshire Scotland. Helen married Alexander Moffatt 1912 Queensland Australia, and died there 1928. Helen?s father Donald Stewart was born at Killoch Ran Fortingall Perthshire Scotland in 1850.

Also through my great great grandfather James Stewart born 1822 Fortingall, I am a direct descendant of Janet Menzies born 1740 Kirktown Weem Perthshire Scotland. An old saying in our family is ?don?t be mingie,? which means, please be kind and generous.