Show ContentsMetheny History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Metheny family

The surname Metheny 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 Metheny family

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

Metheny Spelling Variations

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

Early Notables of the Metheny family

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

Metheny Ranking

In the United States, the name Metheny is the 10,189th most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 1

Migration of the Metheny family

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: Paul Methwin, who arrived in Virginia in 1664; Alexander Methven, who arrived in South Carolina in 1807; John Methven, who settled in Charles Town in 1767.


Contemporary Notables of the name Metheny (post 1700) +

  • Pat Metheny (b. 1954), American jazz guitarist and composer, he has three gold albums and 20 Grammy Awards, brother of Mike Metheny
  • Mike Metheny (b. 1949), American jazz flugelhornist and music journalist
  • Bud Metheny (1915-2003), American Major League Baseball player and college head coach
  • Sharon Metheny, American Libertarian politician, Candidate for U.S. Representative from Indiana 2nd District, 2002 2


The Metheny 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. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  2. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2016, January 12) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html


Houseofnames.com on Facebook