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...."The patronymic of the heroic commander of the Brigade of Guards in the Transvaal is variously pronounced, according to taste, as Meth-u-en, Meth-uen, Meth-yoen, and Meth-eon. Properly it should be Methven, the archaic style of spelling—when "u" did duty for itself and "v" as well—having been retained by the family. The founder in Scotland of this distinguished house came over from Hungary with Edgar Atheling. Fearing that William the Conqueror was conspiring against him, the visitor fled to Scotland, and was hospitably received by King Malcolm Canmore, Atheling's brother-in-law. The Scottish King gave the refugee the barony of Methuen (now spelled Methven), which stands in the centre of Strathmore. The name is derived from a Gaelic word, of apparently kindred pronunciation, which means "middle." The story of the descent of the Methuens of Corsham, Wilts., from the friend of Edgar Atheling, is told in that old-fashioned work Douglass's "Baronage of Scotland." "
Liverpool Echo, Thursday 7th December 1899

I don't think I have ever heard it pronounced that way but there are some very odd pronunciations around.

It reminds me of being in Scotland and asking the museum curation about the medals to General Wauchope (pronounced way-shope) and being asked if I meant General Wauchope (pronounced walk-up). I did as it turned out!

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Here is the first page of the Methuen/Methven entry in "that old-fashioned work Douglass's Baronage of Scotland"

It clearly shows "V" being used instead of "U".

I have to say, I never thought this work would have any relevance in terms of the ABW. It was acquired for family research...!





,,,

Could his being a Wiltshire Methuen mean a different pronunciation to the Scottish side of the family?

I always assumed it was pronounced 'Meth-u-en,' but now I'm totally confused!

Berenice - the Corsham Civic Society may be able to help

www.corshamcivicsociety.co.uk/death-of-l...rsham-civic-society/

Personally I have never heard Methuen's the book publishers referred to as Methven's - they were founded in 1896 by an Algernon Methuen.