[2] The chiefs are one of the few noble families who are descended from the Celtic nobility through the Clan MacDuff Earls of Fife.

[2] Sir Michael Wemyss swore fealty to Edward I of England in 1296 but then changed his allegiance to Robert the Bruce.

[2] John was a great supporter of Mary, Queen of Scots, and it was at the newly enlarged Wemyss Castle that she first met her future husband, Henry Stuart, Lord Darnley.

[2] John Wemyss was also a Privy Councillor, High Commissioner to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, and one of the Committee of the Estates.

[2] David Wemyss, the second earl spent a lifetime nurturing the resources of his estate, in particular his salt and coal mines.

[2] He also built a large harbour at Methil, Fife and greatly extended Wemyss Castle where he entertained Charles II of England in 1650 and 1651.

[2] James Wemyss's great-grandson married Millicent, daughter of Lady Augusta Gordon, and illegitimate granddaughter of William IV of the United Kingdom.

[citation needed] Spelling variations and septs of the Clan Wemyss include: Elcho, Vemis, Vemys, Vemyss, Veymis, Weemes, Weems, Weemyss, Weimes, Weimis, Weims, Weimys, Wemes, Wemeth, Wemis, Wemise, Wems, Wemyes, Wemys, Wemyss, Wemysse, Weymes, Weymis, Weyms, Whymes, Whyms, Wymes, Wymess, Whims, Wims, and Wymbs (County Sligo, Ireland),