Minors History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The vast movement of people that followed the Norman Conquest of England of 1066 brought the Minors family name to the British Isles. They 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 Minors family

The surname Minors 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 Minors family

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

Minors Spelling Variations

A multitude of spelling variations characterize Norman surnames. Many variations occurred because Old and Middle English lacked any definite spelling rules. The introduction of Norman French to England also had a pronounced effect, as did the court languages of Latin and French. Therefore, one person was often referred to by several different spellings in a single lifetime. The various spellings include Mynors, Minors, Miners, Mynor, Myner, Miner and others.

Early Notables of the Minors family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was

Thomas Minors (1609-1677), an English merchant and politician who sat in the House of Commons between 1654 and 1660

Minors migration to Australia +

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

Minors Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Thomas Minors, aged 19, who arrived in South Australia in 1849 aboard the ship "Prince Regent" 4
Thomas Minors, aged 19, a blacksmith, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Prince Regent" in 1849 4
Mr. John Minors, (b. 1839), aged 18, Cornish labourer departing from Plymouth on 4th November 1856 aboard the ship "William" arriving in Port Fairy (Belfast), Victoria, Australia on 25th January 1857 5
Mrs. Catherine Minors, (b. 1829), aged 28, Cornish housekeeper departing from Plymouth on 22nd July 1857 aboard the ship "Mindoro" arriving in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia on 23rd October 1857 5
Miss Kate Minors, (b. 1855), aged 2, Cornish settler departing from Plymouth on 22nd July 1857 aboard the ship "Mindoro" arriving in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia on 23rd October 1857 5
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

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
State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) "PRINCE REGENT" 1849. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1849PrinceRegent.htm
Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 3rd May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_australia_victoria.pdf