Minnir History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Minnir is one of the thousands of new names that the Norman Conquest brought to England in 1066. The Minnir 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 Minnir family

The surname Minnir 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 Minnir family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Minnir 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 Minnir History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Minnir Spelling Variations

Multitudes of spelling variations are a hallmark of Anglo Norman names. Most of these names evolved in the 11th and 12th century, in the time after the Normans introduced their own Norman French language into a country where Old and Middle English had no spelling rules and the languages of the court were French and Latin. To make matters worse, medieval scribes spelled words according to sound, so names frequently appeared differently in the various documents in which they were recorded. The name was spelled Mynors, Minors, Miners, Mynor, Myner, Miner and others.

Early Notables of the Minnir family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Richard Miners, English politician, High Sheriff of Herefordshire in 1501; Thomas Minors (1609-1677), an English merchant and politician who sat in the House of Commons...
Another 32 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Minnir Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Minnir family

Because of this political and religious unrest within English society, many people decided to immigrate to the colonies. Families left for Ireland, North America, and Australia in enormous numbers, traveling at high cost in extremely inhospitable conditions. The New World in particular was a desirable destination, but the long voyage caused many to arrive sick and starving. Those who made it, though, were welcomed by opportunities far greater than they had known at home in England. Many of these families went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Analysis of immigration records indicates that some of the first North American immigrants bore the name Minnir or a variant listed above: Anne Mynor and her husband who settled in Virginia in 1637; John Minor settled in Virginia in 1663; Samuel Minor settled in New York in 1663; Thomas Minor settled in Conn. in 1630.

Citations +

Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
Burke, John Bernard, The Roll of Battle Abbey. London: Edward Churton, 26, Holles Street, 1848, Print.
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