Show ContentsMiners History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Miners is a name that came to England in the 11th century wave of migration that was set off by the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Miners family lived in Herefordshire. Occupational names frequently were derived from the principal object associated with the activity of the original bearer, such as tools or products. In this case, this surname likely also was derived from the trade name for a miner. [1]

Early Origins of the Miners family

The surname Miners was first found in Herefordshire. "This gallant Norman family appears to have been rewarded by grants of land in Herefordshire. Certain it is that the estate of Treago in that county has been held by the family of Mynors from the era of the Conquest even to the present day, [c.1880] being now possessed by Peter Rickards Mynors Esq., who also represents the great and historic house of Baskerville of Erdesley, and derives in direct descent from the royal line of Plantagenet. " [2]

We did find this interesting entry about this family: "A Herefordshire family of this name claims to have been seated at Treago, in that county, from the time of the Conquest: but their pedigree only begins in the fourteenth century with John de Miners, Constable of the Castle of St. Briavel under Edward II. The name, however, is found much earlier, as Gislebert and Henry de Mineriis occur in Palgrave's Rotuli Curia Regis of 1198. They held of the Honour of Breteuil in Normandy." [3]

Early History of the Miners family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Miners research. Another 104 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1066, 1500, 1501, 1608, 1609, 1629, 1654, 1660, 1677, 1690 and 1720 are included under the topic Early Miners History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Miners Spelling Variations

The English language only became standardized in the last few centuries. For that reason, spelling variations are common among many Anglo-Norman names. The shape of the English language was frequently changed with the introduction of elements of Norman French, Latin, and other European languages; even the spelling of literate people's names were subsequently modified. Miners has been recorded under many different variations, including Mynors, Minors, Miners, Mynor, Myner, Miner and others.

Early Notables of the Miners family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was


United States Miners migration to the United States +

To escape the uncertainty of the political and religious uncertainty found in England, many English families boarded ships at great expense to sail for the colonies held by Britain. The passages were expensive, though, and the boats were unsafe, overcrowded, and ridden with disease. Those who were hardy and lucky enough to make the passage intact were rewarded with land, opportunity, and social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families went on to be important contributors to the young nations of Canada and the United States where they settled. Minerss were some of the first of the immigrants to arrive in North America:

Miners Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Mr. James Miners, (b. 1824), aged 25, Cornish settler departing from Penzance aboard the ship "Cornwall" arriving in the United States on 23rd August 1849 [4]
  • Mr. John Miners, (b. 1831), aged 20, Cornish miner departing from Penzance aboard the ship "Mountaineer" arriving in the United States on 30 April 1851 [4]
  • Mr. Henry Miners, (b. 1832), aged 19, Cornish miner departing from Penzance aboard the ship "Mountaineer" arriving in the United States on 30 April 1851 [4]
  • Mr. James Miners, (b. 1799), aged 52, Cornish miner departing from Penzance aboard the ship "Mountaineer" arriving in the United States on 30 April 1851 [4]
  • Mr. David Miners, (b. 1867), aged 25, Cornish miner, from Penzance, Cornwall, UK travelling aboard the ship "Arizona" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 1st August 1892 en route to New York, USA [5]
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Miners Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Mr. Albert Miners, (b. 1873), aged 31, Cornish miner travelling aboard the ship "Philadelphia" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 26th November 1904 en route to Grass Valley, California, USA [5]
  • Mr. John T. Miners, (b. 1884), aged 21, Cornish miner, from St Austell, Cornwall, UK travelling aboard the ship "Umbria" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 9th May 1905 en route to Hancock, Michigan, USA [5]
  • Miss A. Miners, (b. 1894), aged 11, Cornish settler travelling aboard the ship "Arizona" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 10th July 1905 en route to New York, USA [5]

Australia Miners migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Miners Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mr. John Miners, (b. 1818), aged 30, Cornish shepherd from Truro, Cornwall, UK travelling aboard the ship "Equestrian" arriving in New South Wales, Australia on 16th July 1848 [6]
  • Mrs. Anne Miners, (b. 1819), aged 29, Cornish settler from Crantock, Cornwall, UK travelling aboard the ship "Equestrian" arriving in New South Wales, Australia on 16th July 1848 [6]
  • Mr. William James Miners, (b. 1845), aged 3, Cornish settler from Truro, Cornwall, UK travelling aboard the ship "Equestrian" arriving in New South Wales, Australia on 16th July 1848 [6]
  • Mr. James Miners, (b. 1847), aged 1, Cornish settler from Truro, Cornwall, UK travelling aboard the ship "Equestrian" arriving in New South Wales, Australia on 16th July 1848 [6]
  • Mr. John Equestrian Miners, (b. 1848), aged Infant, Cornish settler born aboard the ship "Equestrian" arriving in New South Wales, Australia on 16th July 1848 [6]
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Miners Settlers in Australia in the 20th Century
  • Mr. Richard Miners, (b. 1854), aged 53, Cornish miner who immigrated to New South Wales, Australia aboard the ship "Lock Esk" convicted at Darlinghurst Gaol in 1907 [7]

New Zealand Miners migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Miners Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • William Miners, aged 36, a labourer, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Bebington" in 1872
  • Mr. Mark Miners, (b. 1845), aged 28, Cornish farm labourer departing on 13th May 1873 aboard the ship "Mary Shepherd" arriving in Lyttelton, Canterbury, New Zealand on 20th August 1873 [8]
  • Mrs. Sarah J. Miners, (b. 1846), aged 27, Cornish settler departing on 13th May 1873 aboard the ship "Mary Shepherd" arriving in Lyttelton, Canterbury, New Zealand on 20th August 1873 [8]
  • Miss Elizabeth J Miners, (b. 1842), aged 33, Cornish servant departing on 14th July 1875 aboard the ship "Adamant" going to Bluff or Otago, New Zealand arriving in port on 2nd December 1875 [9]
  • Elizabeth J. Miners, aged 33, a servant, who arrived in Bluff, New Zealand aboard the ship "Adamant" in 1875 [10]


  1. Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
  2. Burke, John Bernard, The Roll of Battle Abbey. London: Edward Churton, 26, Holles Street, 1848, Print.
  3. Cleveland, Dutchess of The Battle Abbey Roll with some Account of the Norman Lineages. London: John Murray, Abermarle Street, 1889. Print. Volume 2 of 3
  4. Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 2018, April 30). Emigrants to New York 1820 - 1891 [PDF]. Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_new_york_1820_1891.pdf
  5. Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 3rd May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_ellis_island_1892_on.pdf
  6. Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 2018, May 30). Ships' Passenger Lists of Arrivals in New South Wales on (1828 - 1842, 1848 - 1849) [PDF]. Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_nsw_1838_on.pdf
  7. Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retreived 3rd May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_nsw_gaol_admissions.pdf
  8. Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 2018, April 30). Emigrants to Lyttelton 1858-84 [PDF]. Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/new_zealand_assisted.pdf
  9. Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 2018, April 30). Emigrants to other ports, 1872 - 84 [PDF]. Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/new_zealand_assisted.pdf
  10. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html


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