Show ContentsMethven History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Methven family

The surname Methven was first found in Perthshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Pheairt) former county in the present day Council Area of Perth and Kinross, located in central Scotland, where they were granted lands by Malcolm Canmore, King of Scotland, in 1069 in the Barony of Methven.

Early History of the Methven family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Methven research. Another 130 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1296, 1363, 1650, 1703 and 1706 are included under the topic Early Methven History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Methven Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Methuen, Methven, Methfyn, Methfen and others.

Early Notables of the Methven family

Another 47 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Methven Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Methven migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Methven Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • John Methven, who settled in Charles Town in 1767
Methven Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Alexander Methven, who arrived in South Carolina in 1807
  • James Methven, who landed in New York in 1814 1
  • Isobel Methven, who arrived in America in 1855 1

Contemporary Notables of the name Methven (post 1700) +

  • Thomas "Tom" Methven, Scottish-born, New Zealand former association football player, Member of the 1948 New Zealand National Team
  • James "Jimmy" Methven (1868-1953), Scottish association football player who played for Derby County (1891-1906) and later manged the team (1906-1922)
  • Cathcart William Methven (1849-1925), Scottish Engineer-in-Chief at Greenock on the Clyde, and Harbour Engineer in Durban in 1888
  • Colin John Methven (b. 1955), Indian-born Scottish former professional footballer
  • Mr. Paul Methven C.B., British Rear Admiral, Director of Submarine Acquisition for the Royal Navy, was appointed a Companion of the order of Bath (C.B) on 29th December 2018 by her Majesty The Queen 2
  • Sir Malcolm John Methven (1926-1980), British businessman, Director General of the CBI (1976-1980)
  • Robert Methven Petrie (1906-1966), Canadian astronomer, eponym of the Petrie lunar crater 3


The Methven Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Marte et clypeo
Motto Translation: By war and the shield.


  1. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
  2. "Birthday and New Year Honours Lists (1940 to 2019)." Issue 62507, 28 December 2018 | London Gazette, The Gazette, Dec. 2018, www.thegazette.co.uk/honours-lists
  3. Robert Petrie. (Retrieved 2011, January 27) Robert Petrie. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Methven_Petrie


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