Show ContentsMinish History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Minish family

The surname Minish was first found in Cornwall where the family derive their name from Minster, a parish in the deanery of Trigg-Minor, and in the hundred of Lesnewth.

"The word Minster whatever might have been its primitive signification, has been used from time immemorial to import a monastry for Monks, a retired, solitary, religious people, who used artificial music during divine service. Consonant with this import, it appears both from Speed and Dugdale, that at Tolcarne, which signifies the rock chapel or cell, William de Bottreaux about the time of Richard I. founded and endowed an alien priory of black Monks," 1

Early History of the Minish family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Minish research. Another 104 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1189, 1455, 1487, 1575 and 1610 are included under the topic Early Minish History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Minish Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Minster, Minsterchamber and others.

Early Notables of the Minish family

More information is included under the topic Early Minish Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Minish family

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: William Minterne who settled in Virginia in 1634; John Minster, who arrived in Maryland in 1666; James Minster, who arrived in Virginia in 1673; and Robert Minster, who came to Baltimore in 1831..


Contemporary Notables of the name Minish (post 1700) +

  • Joseph George Minish (1916-2007), American Democratic Party politician, Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New Jersey (1963-1985)


  1. Hutchins, Fortescue, The History of Cornwall, from the Earliest Records and Traditions to the Present Time. London: William Penaluna, 1824. Print


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