Menzies

Menzies is a surname of Scottish origin, derived from the lands of Menzies near Aberfeldy in Perthshire. The name is historically associated with Clan Menzies, a Highland Scottish clan whose traditional seat was Castle Menzies in central Perthshire. Through centuries of migration, bearers of the name settled in other parts of Scotland, the British Isles, and abroad, making Menzies a recognizable surname in many Commonwealth countries and beyond.

Castle Menzies is a historic house in Perthshire linked to the clan’s chiefs. Built in the 16th century, it has long been identified with Clan Menzies and remains a focal point in the region’s architectural and genealogical heritage.

Notable individuals with the surname include Sir Robert Menzies (1894–1978), who served as the Prime Minister of Australia for two terms, 1939–41 and 1949–66. He was a prominent figure in 20th-century Australian politics and the founder of the modern Liberal Party.

Geographically, Menzies is used as a place name in Australia. Menzies, Western Australia, is a remote mining town in the Goldfields-Esperance region. Menzies Creek is a locality near Melbourne in Victoria, named in part for early settlers and railway heritage.

In Scotland, the name remains closely tied to the historical identity of Clan Menzies and to Castle Menzies, which preserves the link between the surname and its regional origins.