UK surname
A Scottish surname derived from a place name near Glasgow.
In the 1881 census there were 134 people recorded with the Menzie surname, ranking it #16,602 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 50, ranked #34,889, down from #16,602 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Edinburgh, Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry and Wigan. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Menzie is 192 in 1901. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 62.7%.
1881 census count
134
Ranked #16,602
Modern count
50
2016, ranked #34,889
Peak year
1901
192 bearers
Map years
3
1881 to 1901
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Menzie surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Menzie surname density by area, 1881 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.
| Year | Period | Count | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1851 | historical | 99 | #17,294 |
| 1861 | historical | 71 | #24,765 |
| 1881 | historical | 134 | #16,602 |
| 1891 | historical | 154 | #18,004 |
| 1901 | historical | 192 | #15,518 |
| 1911 | historical | 38 | #29,147 |
| 1997 | modern | 65 | #31,141 |
| 1998 | modern | 59 | #32,027 |
| 1999 | modern | 74 | #30,759 |
| 2000 | modern | 48 | #33,288 |
| 2001 | modern | 42 | #33,658 |
| 2002 | modern | 41 | #34,032 |
| 2003 | modern | 42 | #34,040 |
| 2004 | modern | 42 | #34,222 |
| 2005 | modern | 45 | #34,160 |
| 2006 | modern | 48 | #34,245 |
| 2007 | modern | 50 | #34,347 |
| 2008 | modern | 52 | #34,381 |
| 2009 | modern | 56 | #34,278 |
| 2010 | modern | 57 | #34,421 |
| 2011 | modern | 54 | #34,563 |
| 2012 | modern | 48 | #34,938 |
| 2013 | modern | 50 | #34,891 |
| 2014 | modern | 48 | #35,041 |
| 2015 | modern | 49 | #34,946 |
| 2016 | modern | 50 | #34,889 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Edinburgh, Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry, Wigan, Glasgow and Paisley Abbey. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Edinburgh | Edinburgh |
| 2 | Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry | Forfar |
| 3 | Wigan | Lancashire |
| 4 | Glasgow | Lanark |
| 5 | Paisley Abbey | Renfrew |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Menzie surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Menzie, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.
These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.
The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.
UK neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Menzie surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Menzie household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Menzie is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Menzie is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Menzie, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname MENZIE has its origins in Scotland, dating back to the late 13th century. It is believed to have derived from the Gaelic word "meinne," which means "person of good family" or "wellborn person." The name was originally found in the Angus and Fife regions of eastern Scotland.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name MENZIE appears in the Ragman Rolls of 1296, a historical document containing the names of Scottish noblemen who swore allegiance to King Edward I of England. The name was spelled "Menzhies" at the time.
In the 15th century, the MENZIE family gained prominence in Scotland, with several members holding positions of power and influence. One notable figure was Sir Robert Menzie, who served as the Lord Provost of Aberdeen from 1492 to 1505.
The MENZIE name has also been associated with various place names in Scotland, such as Monzie in Perthshire and Menzies in Aberdeenshire. These place names likely originated from the surname itself or vice versa.
In the 16th century, the MENZIE family established themselves as lairds (landowners) in Perthshire, with their ancestral seat at Castle Menzies. One of the most famous members of the family during this period was Sir Robert Menzies (1540-1617), who was appointed as the first Chief of Clan Menzies by King James VI of Scotland.
Other notable individuals with the surname MENZIE include:
1. Archibald Menzies (1754-1842), a Scottish botanist and plant collector who participated in several voyages to the Pacific Northwest. 2. William Menzies (1795-1866), a Scottish-born American naval officer and explorer who served in the United States Navy. 3. John Menzies (1808-1879), a Scottish businessman and founder of the John Menzies distribution company. 4. Sir Robert Menzies (1894-1978), an Australian politician who served as the 12th Prime Minister of Australia from 1939 to 1941 and again from 1949 to 1966. 5. Heather Menzies (1949-2017), a Canadian actress best known for her role as Louisa von Trapp in the 1965 film "The Sound of Music."
The MENZIE surname has a rich history in Scotland, with its roots dating back to the medieval period. It has been associated with various prominent individuals and families throughout the centuries, reflecting the significance and influence of this name in Scottish heritage.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Menzie surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Perthshire leads with 22 Menzies recorded in 1881 and an index of 38.08x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Perthshire | 22 | 38.08x |
| Lanarkshire | 13 | 3.12x |
| Angus | 12 | 10.06x |
| Durham | 10 | 2.61x |
| Cumberland | 8 | 7.22x |
| Lancashire | 7 | 0.46x |
| Midlothian | 7 | 4.06x |
| Renfrewshire | 6 | 6.01x |
| Aberdeenshire | 5 | 4.19x |
| Ayrshire | 5 | 5.19x |
| Morayshire | 5 | 25.00x |
| Northumberland | 4 | 2.09x |
| Wigtownshire | 4 | 23.39x |
| Argyllshire | 3 | 8.37x |
| Kent | 3 | 0.68x |
| Middlesex | 3 | 0.23x |
| Dumfriesshire | 2 | 7.03x |
| Fife | 2 | 2.62x |
| Stirlingshire | 2 | 4.21x |
| Banffshire | 1 | 3.74x |
| Caithness | 1 | 5.67x |
| Clackmannanshire | 1 | 9.41x |
| Kincardineshire | 1 | 6.38x |
| Ross-shire | 1 | 2.83x |
| Roxburghshire | 1 | 4.29x |
| Royal Navy | 1 | 6.52x |
| Surrey | 1 | 0.16x |
| Sutherland | 1 | 10.10x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Monzie in Perthshire leads with 9 Menzies recorded in 1881 and an index of 2727.27x.
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Menzie surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Menzie surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Menzie households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 9 |
| Coal Miner | 2 |
| Bank Clerk | 1 |
| Barbers Apprentice | 1 |
| Barman | 1 |
| Cartman | 1 |
| Charwoman | 1 |
| Coach Body Maker | 1 |
| Cook (Dom) | 1 |
| Engine Fitter At Works | 1 |
| General Labourer | 1 |
| Golf Club Maker Emp 1 Man (...) | 1 |
| Joiner | 1 |
| M Mariner | 1 |
| Or S | 1 |
| Railway Porter | 1 |
| Shop Assistant | 1 |
| Tailoress | 1 |
| Water Man | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 134 people were recorded with the Menzie surname. That placed it at #16,602 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 50 in 2016. That gives Menzie a modern rank of #34,889.
A Scottish surname derived from a place name near Glasgow.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Menzie bearers relative to the surrounding population.
The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.